Question: I've worked in finance for the past three years and am trying to change careers and join an international organization. It seems as if I'm aiming to get into a very exclusive club. How can I break through the barrier?

Simona-Ioana: Just as you would to get into any exclusive club, you'd first try to find out what benefits you'd derive from membership and decide if they'd outweigh the difficulties of trying to get in. Tap the experiences and knowledge of current and former members for information about how they gained entry. When you learn of a strategy that suits you, apply the same to your efforts. This process may require talking with many people and can take a while, but it's a proven way to arm yourself with information that might allow you to get in.

Question: My employees suffer from the "I'm sorry I forgot to do it" syndrome. I ask them to do specific tasks, which sometimes are essential, especially when I'm on the road, and instead they do as they like and ignore my orders. Any advice?

Pablo: Have you ever considered asking your employees how they might feel if you were to forget to pay them? Try doing that first as a motivator and see how they react. They'll probably think you're joking and perhaps you will be, but they'll understand that you're reaching your limits.

At the root of this problem is either a lack of organization or a lack of respect for you. In either case, you must immediately begin doing things differently. Each morning you need to have your employees put together a to-do list in writing. The list must have two dates: the date you've given the instruction and the date by which the job must be carried out. Your employees will need your input, of course, but let them generate the list so they'll take responsibility for it and over time incorporate it into their daily routine. They'll need to hand you the list immediately to make sure that everyone clearly understands what's expected and what must get done. If you're traveling, they could fax or e-mail it.

If you don't try this or something similar, the situation could deteriorate. These employees could come to think of you as a tyrant and sabotage your authority in earnest. You may decide you need to hire a new staff.

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