A word of warning to all of you FaceBookers out there that may soon be looking for a new job. Knock knock…”We can see you!”. Example, you just graduated from college and you want to get that dream job. You apply for positions at a few companies and you do not get the job though you seem really qualified for. Why you ask?!? Because perspective employers are using the likes of FaceBook, MySpace and other “personal” sites to get a little better look at who they are about to hire. Do you really want a soon to be manager looking at pictures of you getting wasted at a fraternity party? See you later job offer! BYE BYE! To avoid this, #1 Keep it clean or #2, Keep your profile “exclusive” and/or private to select friends. Good luck and happy FaceBooking!

The premature passing of CEOs is no longer a rare event. Historically this condition beset only an unlucky few, but we are now witnessing many damaging examples of leadership gone awry. A recent study of CEO succession in the world’s 2500 largest companies, conducted by a top management consulting firm, found that the frequency of CEO succession events increased from 6% per year in 1995 to 11.2% per year in 2000. Perhaps even more telling are findings that in 2001 only 47% of corporate chiefs who departed did so under terms of a so-called regular transition, compared with a whopping 72% in 1995.

How pervasive is dysfunctional leadership? I’ve encountered senior executives who insist on pursuing patterns of dysfunctional behavior — who, even in the face of withering heat brought on by mere lip service to the need for fundamental change; pursue actions that lay wide open the web of narcissism that has engulfed them. Is this seemingly endless line of leadership betrayals we see unfolding before us a legitimate indictment of the majority of leaders currently running (or available to run) our enterprises?

My experience, and that of senior colleagues in the executive search profession, suggests that this is not the case. However, our experience does attest to the fact that while this dysfunction is not the norm; the trend of premature succession is on the rise and is likely to accelerate.
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The virtual world can be a lonely world. No meeting by the water cooler to discuss our personal lives or office affairs, no good lunches each day, no best friend to confide in during breaks, no cracking jokes among colleagues. Instead, we interact with our dogs or cats, aka “our 4-legged co-workers”, which can be a real big minus as they erupt into song at the squirrel on the porch when you are talking to your brand new client……

Virtual employees, most of us anyway, (the good ones my boss says) put in more hours per day compared to office workers. That’s because, when ‘real’ office employees leave the workplace, the paperwork and other tasks stay back in the office – it’s a physical separation. At home the computer taunts you – screen saver blinking, blinking at you. The email is waiting – pinging at you – pulling at you. The virtual office phone is ringing, calling your name. It’s difficult to say “no more for today” and really mean it. There is always one more thing that needs to be done, or you give in to that email ping or you just have to check the caller ID to see who is calling. I laugh at myself when I sit down to send one final email for the night and an hour later, I am still here working.

A huge annoyance about working virtually is the LACK OF RESPECT. I don’t understand it – can’t get my head around it – but my friends and neighbors think that since I work from home, that I am HOME doing nothing. They just don’t seem to digest the “work” aspect of the virtual office. “This is my friend, Alissa. She “works” (wink, wink) from home – I’m sure she can take care of that little favor for you…” “Alissa, can you come over and wait for the plumber for me? I have to take little Johnny to the doctor, unless of course, your are (wink, wink) working…..”

Another problem is the guilt factor – and don’t ask me where that comes from. I can’t tell you. You’ve taken a short break to run to the bathroom and on the way back hear the phone ringing or the email pinging or the IM dinging – and you literally RUN (hauling PJs back up) to your desk to intercept it. I mean REALLY, gods and goddesses forbid that you have to “use the facilities” or go fix your lunch so you can EAT LUNCH AT YOUR DESK WHILE YOU WORK. Because, well gee, you never pee or eat in a REAL office… How does that feeling sneak in? I can’t for my life figure it out.

Working virtually does have its benefits. Of course, there’s the obvious: you don’t have to dress for the occasion; pajamas do work well some days. That’s a real kicker – negotiating away while tapping out a silent rhumba in your bunny slippers. Gasoline budget drops considerably and you save yourself the stress of dealing with the idiot on the cell phone, who is putting on make-up and eating a danish. Of course you lose the pleasure of expressing your feelings regarding same, with the world-wide known and appreciated 3rd digit salute. Wear and tear on your car is minimal, and if you have kids, you can be home for them. Of course, that can be a big negative as well – going back to the noise factor as they croon in with Bud the singing pooch.

Working virtually develops stupendous multi-tasking skills. Have you ever been on a conference call, stirring dinner on the stove, taking notes, and trying to get chewing gum out of your child’s hair- all at once? It can be done – I’ve been there and have the tee-shirt! (Of course, if I hadn’t given in to checking out the phone digital display – I wouldn’t have been on the freakin conference call to begin with) Which reminds me – Who loves the “MUTE button”??? Those same gods and goddesses granted the virtual office this one HUGE thing. The mute button is the conqueror of all evil – I promise…the one on my phone is practically worn out.
So, all in all, working virtually is pretty much a mixed bag – but I like it. It suits me. Do you work virtually? Would love to hear some feedback, experiences, etc. from our readers!!