How Confident Are You? Take the Test

"I think it's time for you to get a new dress"
"Your shoe stinks, you should get a new one"
"Dear, you just wear that shirt last friday, didn't you?"
Those are question that my wife often asking me recently. I just realize that personal appearance is one thing that i often missed to spend some times to think and invest.

I'm not saying that Appearance = Confident nor i disagree with "don't judge a book by it's cover", but i'm sure everyone would agree that first impression might be last for the unpleasant look.

Anyway, Confidence should comes from Preparation, which includes Skills, Experiences, Knowledge and Good-Faith or Positive-Reputation.

Here we go...
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How Confident Are You? Take the Test
by Andrew Tilin
Downturn or not, when it comes to confidence, there are two kinds of business leaders: those who are sure of themselves, and those who are absolutely sure of themselves. (Underconfident business leaders exist, but not for long.) Believe it or not, more confidence isn't always better. Here's a quick guide to seeing where you land on the confidence spectrum, plus advice for improving your game.

Overconfident

Jack Welch, former CEO of GE

What you see in the mirror: Someone who thinks the glass isn't just half-full; it's overflowing. The future is very bright, no matter what the economy's doing.

How you lead your company: Your every fiber goes into making the business successful. You let people go matter-of-factly. You have a strong vision - and it's your way or the highway.

You identify with: Jack Welch
Pros: Optimism from the corner office unquestionably lifts a business. "The evidence is clear," says Don Moore, an associate professor of organizational behavior and theory at Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business. "You're a persuasive and effective leader when you say, 'I'm sure I know what's going to happen, and that our future is bright.'" Plus, nobody doubts that you're captain of the ship. Your subordinates know where they stand. Employees, possibly afraid that their necks could soon rest on the chopping block, work hard.

Cons: If your vision for the company is wrong, the business can quickly nosedive. Subordinates might rebel against a chain of command that resembles a dictatorship. And optimism can go too far. "Overconfident businesspeople routinely delude themselves," Moore says.

How you can improve: Invite input from others -- especially in a downturn. Even if your employees' ideas miss the mark, they may trigger an idea you hadn't considered. No CEO bats a thousand. "That's asking for too much," Moore says.

Confident

Michael Dell, CEO and founder of Dell, Inc.

What you see in the mirror: Someone who's optimistic but also self-critical. You ask an unending stream of hard questions: Are you making the right business decisions? Could you do things better? Can you make these times less scary - for yourself and for your employees?

How you lead your company: With humility. You have a game plan, but you seek suggestions from others. You're a realist who's often willing to tell it like it is.

You identify with: Michael Dell
Pros: Your peers know that your door is always open, or at least that you'll respond to their knocks. Your employees appreciate knowing that you, too, are trying hard to navigate stormy seas. "Good leaders practice what I call 'care-frontation,'" says Pat Hyndman, an executive coach at Vistage International. "You've got to like a boss better who uses words like 'adjust,' 'defer,' and 'reconsider' instead of 'cut' and 'slash.'"

Cons: You can be too honest. Boards of directors and shareholders don't like leaders who admit too much vulnerability. You could end up talking yourself out of a job. "If a board thinks you're undermining confidence in the firm, they could start making moves to replace you," Moore says. Another scenario: A power-hungry associate might sniff blood and go after your job.

How you can improve: Seek out fairness and sympathy, but don't become too big a pleaser. You might have to walk a fine line. In the end, remind yourself that leadership requires assertiveness.

Source : http://www.bnet.com/2403-13056_23-290516.html?promo=713&tag=nl.e713

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Finance Tips for Newlyweds

As a Newlywed i found this article interesting...

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(ARA) - Money can be a complicated aspect of marriage, especially when it comes to merging finances. Finding a system that works for both individuals can help couples achieve financial harmony.

"Figuring out a fair and comfortable way to share responsibilities and expenses can be challenging," says Sam Goller, award-winning author of "Yes, You Can... Achieve Financial Harmony" and contributor to YesYouCanOnline.info. "But it's essential for a healthy relationship. Couples should look at their monetary values and beliefs and work together to decide what type of system allows them to achieve their dreams
as a couple."

Talking about finances can be difficult for many people. Jim Stowers, co-author of the new book "Yes, You Can... Reach Your Goals and Achieve Your Dreams," recommends asking questions to begin a dialogue.

"Asking questions is a good way to toss the conversational ball into the other person's lap," says Stowers. "It not only helps you learn their point of view, but also what they believe and the direction their thinking is taking."

Goller suggests couples ask themselves the following five questions to help facilitate a discussion about spending and saving as a couple.

1. How many bank accounts will we have?
2. Who will pay the bills?
3. Are we getting our money's worth for what we buy?
4. What are our money histories -- what did our parents teach us about money?
5. What dreams do we have as a couple? What do we need to do financially to accomplish these dreams?

A couple's answers to these questions will help define a financial system that provides a foundation on which the relationship can grow. Goller offers three options for couples looking to merge their finances:

The Joint Account -- Whether checking or savings, this type of account allows couples to combine all of their financial resources. This option can make life easier for some couples by centralizing the household finances. However, if one person is in charge of managing the account, the other person can feel left out of the financial picture. It also requires that both partners diligently share when they use funds out of the account.

Separate Accounts -- Some couples prefer the autonomy of separate accounts. With this system both people are responsible for maintaining their own account, which may include paying some of the bills. If couples choose this option, Goller cautions that individuals may need to work harder to be equally involved in the financial relationship.

"Just because you have separate accounts, doesn't mean your financial decisions have separate consequences," says Goller. "You still need to meet on a regular basis and discuss how you are using your money to achieve your common goals."

A Combination of Accounts -- A combination of joint and separate accounts is another viable alternative. This option allows both partners to contribute while maintaining their autonomy. Couples often determine a percentage of income that will be put in both the joint and separate accounts. Individual accounts can be used for personal purchases. The joint account can contain funds for bills and joint purchases. With a clear definition of who's paying which bills couples can work together to bring financial balance and emotional harmony to the relationship.

"Regardless of the financial style a couple chooses, communicating about finances is key," says Goller. "The more you discuss how and why you each spend money, the deeper and stronger your relationship will grow."

For more information on merging finances as a couple and achieving financial harmony, please visit www.YesYouCanOnline.info.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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