Learning Center

Articles by Louis Gerzofsky, Founder & President, EQ Leadership Group
Previously Published in CIO.com

You hate your boss.  Now what?
All of us will probably work for at least one extremely difficult person during our careers. Some coping strategies for an unpleasant working environment may help you chart a new direction.

Everybody experiences pressure at the office (even the virtual office). Technology leaders and their teams may experience it more than most because of the relentless pace of change and the often under appreciated responsibility of “keeping the lights on.” – read

Don’t let fear affect your job search
Get over your fears with a little understanding and a few practical steps.

A big part of my leadership coaching practice deals with helping executives conduct job searches. Some of my clients are in transition and some of them are looking to get out of their current organizations. Many of them are C-level executives or leaders of teams of varying sizes and complexity.

They work — or worked for — a myriad of companies and non-profits in all kinds of “verticals.” But no matter how senior and accomplished some of them may be or rapidly ascending the corporate as others are, they all share one common attribute:

F – E – A – R. – read

The only job search guide you’ll ever need

What is your job search strategy? How do you distinguish yourself from the competition? What is your unique brand? What is your process for conducting a job search? Why do so many successful technology executives conduct a job search without a plan or a process? This article will address those issues and give you a template that’s based upon the skills and training you used during your career. – read

IT leaders: you don’t have to be the business
In an all-out effort to be recognized and respected, IT leaders may be spending too much of their valuable time and energy creating and repeating “business mantras” instead of doing the real work of learning influence mastery.

It’s a common refrain these days: in order to gain the respect and support of their C-suite colleagues, IT leaders need to “be the business.” It’s a handy mantra for many executives who either work for companies that don’t truly understand technology’s importance to their success or need to buttress their own shaky self-confidence. – read

What to check for before accepting that newly created role
A checklist to go through when making the leap to the new dream job.

They want me?!?
When the recruiter first contacted you about her client’s search, you might have been feeling a bit dubious: “It’s a newly created job running the IT organization for a rapidly expanding services company!” You said to yourself, “Hmmm. Sounds risky but they’re looking for their very first CIO and this is my big chance for a seat at the table.” – read

The executive guide to onboarding yourself
A better approach to your first year with a new company.

Onboarding used to be an afterthought (or a non-thought) with many companies. Most people’s experience with corporate onboarding reminds of the scene in Being John Malkovich where John Cusack watches a silly looking, amateurishly produced film about his new employer’s mythical founding. – read

Preparing for the technology executive interview: the right way vs. the wrong way

Job interviews create stress and performance anxiety in even the most senior technology executives. With the right mindset you can level the playing field and determine if you’re right for the company and, just as significantly, if they’re right for you. – read

Interviewing for the executive suite (and be careful what you wish for…)

Getting to the C Suite is a laudable and understandable goal for many current and future technology executives. However, too many IT leaders have an ‘aim, fire, ready’ mentality and don’t ask the tough questions that will help them determine if their dream job is located in the wrong executive suite. – read

The 5 questions you don’t want to be asked

How do you train your mind to deal with the unexpected? How do you become more adept at handling uncomfortable interactions in your professional life? If you can learn to become comfortable with being uncomfortable, you’re more likely to succeed in interviews, important meetings and so many other professional interactions. Here’s a way to jump start the process. – read

Don’t take that recruiter’s call!

Many people decline conversations with recruiters – even when the job they’re hearing about sounds like an amazing opportunity – because they feel comfortable. Well, comfortable can be a four letter word to your career. If you’re contacted by a reputable recruiter who’s leading a bona fide search engagement, then it only serves you to listen and give the opportunity – and your career growth – the time they deserve. – read

How do you manage a micro-manager?

What is your strategy for coping with one of the most challenging experiences you’ll have in corporate life? This article will offer you a strategy and a mindset for surviving and potentially thriving if you your boss is a micro-manager. – read

Articles of Interest:

Daniel Goleman on Emotional Intelligence Psychology Today – Emotional Intelligence