Dr. Stuart Sidle, associate dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology at the University of New Haven, presents, "The CHAIN Approach: How to Land the Position You Want and Be A Star in Your Workplace." Dr. Sidle is a professional I/O Psychologist and is owner of Sidle & Associates, a consulting firm focused on change management, leadership development, talent engagement, and strategic planning. He has consulted with major Fortune 500 companies and has taught as a full-time faculty member at DePaul University and Saint Xavier University prior to coming to UNH in 2003. Drawing from his wealth of experience in organizational change and development, leadership, and training, Dr. Sidle will discuss the key characteristics of high performing employees who shine in the workplace and land coveted positions. His CHAIN approach will shine light on five key performance areas: Commitment, Happiness, Adaptability, Initiative, and Networking.

1. The CHAIN Approach: How to
land the position you want and
be a star in your workplace
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Programs
University of New Haven
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

2. Three Questions
 Why do some
applicants seem to
have an easier time
than others in landing
job interviews?
 Why are some people
quickly seen as stars
at their workplace?
 How can I be one of
those people?
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

3. Sidle’s CHAIN Approach
 C ommitment
 H appiness
 A daptability
 I nitiative
 N etworking
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

4. C ommitment
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

5. Commitment
 CHOOSE to FULLY ENGAGE or GET
OUT OF THE WAY
 KEEP YOUR WORD
 SMART GOALS
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

6. SMART Goals
S pecific
 M easurable
 A ction-oriented
 R ealistic
 T ime Specified
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

7. SET 1 SMART Goal
S pecific
 M easurable
 A ction-oriented
 R ealistic
 T ime Specified
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

8. H appiness
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

9. Case for Happiness
 Higher income $$$
 Better work outcomes
 (priming for happiness studies)
 Satisfying relationships (e.g., more satisfying and
longer marriages, more friends, stronger social
support, and richer social interactions).
 Better physical health (e.g., a bolstered immune
system, lowered stress levels, less pain and even
longer life).
 More creativity
 Increased charity

10. The Case For Happiness
 Nun Study 1932
90% of happiest quarter alive at 85
34% of least cheerful alive at 85
Unhappy nuns tended to die much sooner.

11. When you are happy, your brain becomes
more engaged, creative, motivated,
energetic, resilient, and productive

12. Is Happiness in Our Control?
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

13. H appiness is…
 Pleasure & Meaning
 Happiness lies at the intersection between
pleasure and meaning.
 Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in
activities that are both personally significant and
enjoyable.
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

14. If you were happy every day of your life you wouldn't be a human being,
you'd be a game show host.
-Gabriel Heatter
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

15. Mindset for Happiness
Do you have an anti-happy spam filter?
Happy Lens-Recognizing opportunities for
pleasure and meaning.
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

16. How To Quickly Increase
Pleasure
 Savor the wonderful things in life, from people to food, from nature
to a smile.
 Express gratitude, whenever possible. We too often take our lives
for granted.
 Who at work can you express gratitude to today? Make a list.
 Enjoy being yourself – Forgive Yourself for Being Human
 Humor as Emotional Labor Study
 Can you laugh at yourself?
 Find opportunities to utilize your strengths-talents.
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

17. Try a Little Sculpting
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

18. Researchers* Found 8 Clusters/Core
Activities
 Application of Technology
 Quantitative Analysis
 Conceptual Thinking/ Theory Development
 Creative Production
 Counseling and Mentoring
 Managing People and Relationships
 Enterprise Control
 Influence Through Language and Ideas
 *Butler and Waldroop
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

19. Meaning
 Skill Variety
 Task Identity
 Significance
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

20. Let’s Complete these Circles
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

21. Adaptability
 As an applicant:
 Target Resumes (not generic)
 Skill Shifting
 Continuous Learning
 On the job:
 Adjust to each New Boss (know priorities, preferred
style of communication and how he or she keeps
score).
 Continuous Learning
 Expect Change
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

22. I nitiative
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

23. Initiate like a star
 Find out what promotes the company's
core mission, and tie your initiatives to it.
 How is non-star initiative different from
star initiative?
 Lean in and make contributions that are
aligned with the big picture.
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

24. Networking
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

25. Networking
 Don’t wait until you need something
Keep building your network
Maintain your network
 Appreciate each person in your network
(e.g., personal emails, non-generic
LinkedIn invitations)
 Respect your network
Refer with care
Value their time
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.

26. Questions??
Stuart Sidle, Ph.D.