Management.

Because I've been on the search for the best fit for me - I've spent a lot of time working for a lot of different managers.  I've seen the  best, the worst, and the apathetic.  I've been a manager as well.  And I like to think I'm a pretty good one.  In order to become better, I try to take the pieces of each boss that I love and embody them - and to take the pieces I hate, and never be them.

So what makes a good manager?

A Can Do Attitude

I've got a rule.  I'll never ask my staff to do anything I haven't done or been willing to do myself.  A boss should be willing to put in the work.  I  don't respect a superior who's not willing to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.

Reasonable

I need a supervisor to be reasonable.  From standards and expectations to the hours I keep, I need you to be realistic.  There is a difference between high standards and pushing too much.  There is a highly defined line between working hard and working too much.

Aware

A boss should be aware of what's going on within the team at all times.  Too many supervisors are quick to notice the mistakes and don't celebrate the successes or even have a clue what's going on within their team.  It shouldn't be a surprise to you when you have a bunch of staff quit.  It shouldn't b few and far between that you're thankful for the work your team does.

Accountable

The boss should hold more responsibility and accountability than anyone.  If your team is consistently making mistakes, it's  on you to find out why and how to fix it.  At the end of the day, the results are on you.  Additionally, if you're the boss and yet you don't put in the work, hold yourself to different standards for vacation/sick/hours - you're not respectable.  You're in charge but you're not above the rules.

Teamwork

I have a client who constantly corrects me when I say work for you.  He insists on saying work with.  And he's my favorite client.  He values me as a human being above all else and understands what being a team stands for.  He knows that the successes and failures are part of the team's effort.  He's willing to put in the time to make us successful and he's not afraid to push us harder.  He doesn't make it a me vs you situation because if I lose, he loses.

There are of course, a lot of other qualities that make a manager great, but to me, these are the basics.  Finding a good boss is hard.  Being a boss is hard.  Making an effort to be a good one and work for a good one is critical.  We spend so freaking much time working, find somewhere and someone you enjoy working for and with.

Boundaries?

if you were to look up type A personality in the dictionary, you would see a flawless photo of ME.  And at work, I am even worse.

I am constantly overachieving, I have issues letting go of projects, and I'm always volunteering for more.  Because of that, I have no boundaries.

I get myself in these overworked, no work life balance situations and think NOT AGAIN WHY ME?! But if we are being honest - it's kind of my own fault.

Its so wonderful to be the go to rock star at work, and it feeds into the idea that you need to keep saying yes - but if you don't set boundaries you're going to find yourself saying no to YOU.

Boundaries are critical to maintaining your value in the workplace (honey don't allow yourself to do the most without getting your worth) and they're critical to preventing burnout. 

I know Sequins - here comes the part where I make another effing list. We get it I'm type A and making neat little lists, that's really not going to help the problem. Step one, admitting the problem, step two, creating a list about the problem - er, right?

Boundaries. I don't have any and I need them.  So what's a girl to do?

Recognize what boundaries are

I need to start realizing what's my role, and what is exceeding expectations and being a boss babe without overstepping into someone else' space.  It's understanding I don't have to say yes to everything to be successful.  I can simply own my own projects, make them amazing, and create that balance between work rock star and having time for personal life excellence too. 

Understand the importance of boundaries to my life

I have made a very serious commitment to work life balance.  I've spent the majority of 10 years working too much and putting my career first.  When I say that I don't want that life anymore, that balance is what matters to me, I mean it.  And anything that threatens my ability to have a happy healthy personal life, it's a deal breaker.  That being said, I'm in an industry that demands a lot on my life.  So I understand when I say I need boundaries, that could come with reprocussions.  It could mean a company values work horse over my talent.  I have to be willing to accept the consequences of setting the boundaries I have chosen to set. 

Put the boundaries in place

Im at the point that I'm well aware of the times I need to stay in my lane. I know when I should walk away, shut up - and mind my own business. But type A Ashley she taps me on the shoulder and she's saying "Hey Babe but we could just quickly involve ourselves in this one, promise it will be no big deal" and then I'm stuck on a project that is sucking my soul out all day.  I know my weakness, it's being able to act or rather don't act that's my problem.  So this is where I start small.  I leave work early.  I don't answer emails after 5 (fine 6).  I refuse to talk about work after work.   

Stand firm

I've got boundaries now.  I'm actively working to create a balance and separation and keep my unicorn in my own lane.  But now I need to go big and vocalize the boundaries and push back when they're tested.  I know I work hard. I know I deliver some damn good results. And I know that whenever I'm asking for boundaries, they're reasonable and professional.  It's time to speak up, stick to my guns, and be prepared for whatever comes next

I will always be type A and I will always struggle with when go let go of the reigns at work.  I realize that a lot of my complaints about my career are well within my control. If you're struggling with your work life, consider setting boundaries and communicating with your leadership what those boundaries mean to you.  The best companies understand that the best employees have a balance and maintain reasonable boundaries when it comes to work.  And if you're somewhere that you can't set boundaries, you may want to consider changing your situation.  

The Business of Events

I've been in the business of events for awhile now.  And a lot of people think that all I do is pick out flowers and choose linens.  While I do those things - I also have a strategy behind every decision and detail at each event.  More recently my job entails big brands and more marketing than traditional hospitality events.  But the basics behind event planning remain the same.

Events are the face of your company.  They are how people directly engage with your brand and become familiar with your products.  Events are a big part of business, and treating them as any less, is a big mistake for your brand. 

When planning events, there's a basic outline for ensuring success.

Have a Goal

The first thing I want to know when I'm tasked with an event is what's the goal.  Is it financial?  Is it a feeling?  Are we tracking impressions?  There needs to be a clear goal that leads each and every decision moving forward.  Everyone involved needs to understand that goal and be able to tie every event detail back to that overarching goal.  Without a goal, you're having an event for the sake of having an event - in which case, just throw a bunch of money in the trash and call it even.

Know Your Brand

What does your brand stand for?  What are the colors, feelings, sounds, vibes - what represents that brand?  Every décor choice, entertainment decision, menu plan - all of that works together to create a representation of your brand. The things people see, hear, taste, and feel will all remind them of your brand.  If you've got a fun brand, make the event fun.  If your brand thrives on more serious engagement - don't bring in a comedian.  Stick with your brand messaging and get innovative in how you showcase what that means.

Invest in the Details

The details are what matter.  Don't phone in the color choices, the food, the music.  Every single detail comes together to create the total package.  When you get sloppy, neglect something small - someone will notice.  And that reflects back onto the brand.  Be obsessively detailed.  Annoyingly so.  There are enough uncontrollable pieces that go wrong at every event.  If you are obsessive over what you can control, you're better equipped to handle the things you can't control.

Be Budget Conscious

Budget is everything.  Be diligent about sticking to your budget.  And be knowledgeable about what a realistic budget is for what you want to achieve.  It's unrealistic to expect to wow the attendees on a peanuts budget.  But even with a limitless budget - focus on spending wisely.  Even if your bottom line goal isn't financial, its just plain stupid to spend when you don't need to.

Recap

For every single event you need to do a post event recap.  I don't care if it's lunch for five executives or a ball for 5,000.  Recap what you did, what worked, what didn't.  Get feedback from everyone.  Talk to guests, staff, vendors, everyone.  Be diligent in getting this done.  Do not wait.  How can you possibly improve if you don't have explicit details about what you've done in the past? 

Events are anything but simply picking out décor and tasting menus.  Events are an opportunity to create a feeling to your consumers.  Make sure you're understanding the importance of events and the potential they have for consumer loyalty.