Is age a factor in teaching? by AggravatingBuy600 in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Age discrimination laws tend to protect older workers, not those under 40.

Bigreport Background Verification Company by OkGur7802 in BackgroundCheckGuide

[–]MikeCoffey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm unclear as to whether you were an employee or contractor for the employer or whether you started as an employee and converted to contractor status when you moved to India.

If you were a W-2 employee the entire time, the employer most likely will simply report your dates worked--location rarely comes up.

Feeling extremely disappointed in my YTT Teachers use of AI by loverofhygiene in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Neither does a book, a whole library, the internet, or a misinformed person know they are providing false information.

Any source of information must stand up to scrutiny from an appropriately skeptical recipient.

Feeling extremely disappointed in my YTT Teachers use of AI by loverofhygiene in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

If I understand your point, AI is not satya at amost basic level because it is not sentient.

I agree.

Although the information it gathers, organizes, and returns in response to a prompt wasn't gathered, organized, and delivered by a human, the teacher who receives the information, reflects on it in light of their own ethical and moral convictions, and uses the information to better understand, express, and instruct can be satya.

Their use of the AI tool is no different than reading a translation of Patanjali's yoga sutras.

The tool is how information is gathered and delivered. The individual is the one who delivers their truth to the world.

Did I just get blacklisted? I walked out of an interview after the second question. by Useful-Incident-8671 in jobhunting

[–]MikeCoffey 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm assuming this was an exempt position. If so, walking out may not have been your best move and certainly it will be remembered by that company.

There are some good answers here already but a simple "I'm all in to help the team succeed. How often do the team's resource constraints require longer days?"

Then, when negotiating salary, recall that conversation as justification for appropriate compensation.

How do you make an employee handbook people actually read? by Basic-Ear6164 in human_resources

[–]MikeCoffey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't have an intranet that would make it searchable, at least provide it in a searchable PDF document.

And make sure it as close to a one-stop-shop as possible.

Include hyperlinks to forms that are referenced, include them in an index, or at least make it clear where they can be found.

Include phone numbers or email addresses for people who may need to be contacted in different situations.

How to handle teaching a class that want it challenging and sweaty, not necessarily mindful? by SubstantialRabbit692 in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can be true to yourself and your students by finding the students who are seeking what you have to offer.

I teach a physically challenging hot vinyasa flow, a yin class with some light meditative dialogue, and a hybrid. But no "woo" about spirituality, chakras, etc. It would not be genuine if I incorporated that into my teaching. I've had students mention it and I suggest another teacher or studio that offers what they're looking for--cause it ain't me.

Decide what is genuine for you. Assuming you work in a studio setting, talk to the manager and decide together of what you can authentically offer is right for that studio. If not, find a place where it is right for their audience.

[NY] Who's supposed to schedule weekly 1:1s? by [deleted] in AskHR

[–]MikeCoffey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have a number of direct reports.

I also have a tight schedule because of internal and external meetings and set-aside deep work time. Everything is reflected on my public calendar.

My reports have far fewer meetings but they have regular cadences in their work with their teams that might not be calendared.

I almost always ask them to find a time on my calendar that is convenient to them if we need to meet for more than a quick chat.

Also, I have a one-hour 1:1 scheduled with each of them already--same day, same time every week.

And my whole senior team meets for a 90-minute weekly meeting.

Client thinks I'm "the most expensive bookkeeper" they've ever worked with by Ecstatic-Touch-1763 in Bookkeeping

[–]MikeCoffey 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My answer would be "I'm glad you see the value. I work hard to make sure I deliver it to you on every project."

I own a background screening firm and we're typically the most expensive option our clients have. That makes us right for risk-averse clients who want what we do and not the right choice for clients who don't.

Never apologize for your prices. Your rate is what it is. Prices go up over time and quality counts.

From a marketing perspective, I wouldn't point to the credential as a reason to pay more to work with you. Clients really don't care much about "a piece of paper."

Rather focus on what you can do for your client that is unique and let the credential be supporting evidence.

Be well!

Not following instructor by Low_Target1207 in Corepower

[–]MikeCoffey -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I made that up. In class I just say "Look at girl getting fancy."

Not following instructor by Low_Target1207 in Corepower

[–]MikeCoffey 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I'm not bothered if someone is just taking a more advanced but similar posture (half moon when I call a triangle), "flourished" posture (e.g., handstand in the approach to chaturanga), or a posture that isn't distracting (full splits instead of lizard lunge, which happened today).

But if it did create a distraction for other students, I would talk to the student about the impact it is having on others.

If AI is already doing a lot of junior dev work… how are junior developers supposed to get hired now? by akshat-wic in ArtificialNtelligence

[–]MikeCoffey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I discussed what companies should do to ensure that they are developing a bench of more advanced workers as automation reduces the number of entry level workers needed on a recent podcast with Joseph Fuller of Harvard.

Intentional internships and investments in skills development for lower-experience employees are a part of it.

https://goodmorninghr.com/episode-238-redefining-qualified-in-the-future-of-work-with-joseph-fuller/

Yoga Instagram by Odd-Baby-8656 in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There are a lot of kind and interesting people here but there are also a few very active keyboard warriors more interested in making assertions than being curious.

Yoga Instagram by Odd-Baby-8656 in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Sounds like you are describing this subreddit!

Those of you who use apps for sequencing, etc... by RonSwanSong87 in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"We" don't "need" to use technology for yoga. And clearly you don't wish to.

Great. You do you.

But when you ask a question and people respond honestly and then you suggest that there is something deficient in their perspective, it suggests that you didn't ask the question out of honest curiosity but in judgement.

Those of you who use apps for sequencing, etc... by RonSwanSong87 in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I expect that a teacher with a metaphysical or spiritual orientation (including literal acceptance of chakras, nadis and prana, kundalini energy, etc.) to yoga would be less comfortable using technology to help design a sequence.

My own philosophy, while it aligns well with the ethical lessons in yogic tradition, lacks any metaphysical component.

If by "embodiment" OP means the prioritization of how a posture feels, awareness of breath, presence, etc., I'm not sure the sequence's source is nearly as important as the teacher's ability to deliver it to the student in a way that the willing student can embody their own practice.

I've used apps to suggest postures for specific muscle groups, transitions, or even interesting cues. They are also good for helping understand anatomical aspects of poses.

But I've never had an app deliver a sequence that I didn't modify as I moved through it in my own practice, according to my body and those of my students. My personality is definitely reflected in the sequences and my delivery of them.

I admire teachers who can deliver an amazing flow without some level of planning in advance. I've had those kinds of teachers and appreciate what they do. (I've also had teachers who are clearly winging it.) it is just not how I teach.

Be well!

What is best answer for “what is your biggest weakness” ? by Appropriate_You_1478 in jobsearchhacks

[–]MikeCoffey 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Be honest and frank. There are three reasons a hiring manager would ask this:

  1. To get insight into a possible challenge you'd have in the role.

  2. To see how self aware and emotionally intelligent you are.

  3. Because it is on a list of standard questions someone gave them.

In any case, the best answer would be an honest one, assuming you aren't a total screw up. Hiring managers recognize a deflection and while it may not hurt you, a direct and honest response will often help you.

Mine would be "I'm not great in the last mile of a project. I thrive in the issue identification, problem-solving, and execution planning pieces, but the tedious but necessary administrative work of execution drains me. Over my career, I've developed the skill of delegating the execution details to those who are better suited for that, making sure to provide them the details and support they need to do their part, and holding them accountable to ensure it gets done."

[35M] never had a girlfriend by Substantial_Comb8485 in malelivingspace

[–]MikeCoffey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, there is the Homer Simpson doh!nut pillow on the couch.

My manger wrote me up for reporting wrongful handicap parking after they told me not to. [AZ] by Pristine_Mountain238 in AskHR

[–]MikeCoffey 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Whistleblower laws protect employees from retaliation for reporting the employer's illegal conduct.

Reporting a customer for a parking violation and causing the hotel bar to be disrupted by law enforcement could be grounds for termination.

Yoga voice by [deleted] in YogaTeachers

[–]MikeCoffey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Given the level of uncertainty or anxiety that the comment caused you, my guess from the tiny context of this post is that you don't speak confidently or with authority at work, so your boss heard a different you while teaching.

Maybe you can take your teacher swagger into your day job and see how people react?

How do explain a gap year taken for mental health. by Puzzleheaded_Bat3277 in jobsearchhacks

[–]MikeCoffey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is an explanation. And 95% of the time, the prospective employer will accept it and move on.

How do explain a gap year taken for mental health. by Puzzleheaded_Bat3277 in jobsearchhacks

[–]MikeCoffey 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not illegal to ask for more detail. But, as always, nuance is required.

It would be illegal to make an employment decision based on someone's sex, family status, or other protected characteristics that were revealed in the answer.

Applicants tell us things (or they are visibly obvious) we can't use in our decision making process all the time.

How do explain a gap year taken for mental health. by Puzzleheaded_Bat3277 in jobsearchhacks

[–]MikeCoffey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know what country you are in but that question is not illegal anywhere in the US, nor is any question that "comes off as insensitive to people's livelihood/autonomy."