Question: My financial targets are set by management — and they’re unrealistic at best. Regardless though, I’m still expected to deliver. How can I handle this? G.G., Washington, D.C. Answer: Unfortunately, your situation is not unique. Have a conversation sooner rather than later with your manager in order to appropriately manage expectations. Don’t expect that this conversation will change …
Given the sheer volume of work we manage, for many their “to do” list drives their day. When you prioritize efficiency, it’s easy to lose sight of the value of face-to-face interactions. Email might be more efficient but it doesn’t have the benefit of connecting with others and often picking up valuable intel. Try these …
A chaotic environment makes it hard to perform at your best and can be a significant drain on your time and energy. Look around your space. Do you have piles everywhere? An overflowing inbox no matter how often you try to empty it? A boatload of email competing for your attention? Consider this: Piles represent …
Being persuasive is an excellent management skill. Framing communications to enlist support and helping others see the value of your team’s ideas/suggestions/solutions can avoid many misunderstandings. It can reduce or eliminate friction. Prepare the way for your team so that the best solutions have a chance to be executed. People have an inherent distrust of …
Meetings are an ideal time to create/reinforce powerful perceptions. When you speak, lead with your conclusion and then follow with a brief rationale. Resist the temptation to provide a lot of backstory. Most people have very short attention spans. Give your 2 cents in the meeting and then stop. Purposeful silence can be very powerful. …
Question: We’ve moved to a cubicle setup in our new space. My neighbor is constantly inserting herself into my conversations. I can’t go more than an hour without having a “prairie dog pop up” over our shared wall. She’s not a bad person but she’s making me crazy. How should I handle this? K.T., New …
If you’ve got siblings, you’ve probably been called by their names before—often by your own parents. That’s because the names you use most often are stored together in your brain. It may annoy you but it’s generally not intentional. What about when you’re working? Chances are good you have trouble remembering the names of people …
A key responsibility of a leader is to create an optimal environment so their team can thrive. Their mental “environment” is much more important than the physical but it is often overlooked. Think about what your team needs in this regard in order to excel. What mental obstacles can you remove to make it easier …
If a new job is part of your New Year plan, it’s important to figure out how to get your resume past the automated filtering systems most companies use and into the hands of a real person. Make sure you at least cover the basics. First, don’t get fancy with your formatting—you’ll have plenty of …
The office grapevine gets a bad reputation because it’s often associated with gossip or rumors. However, it’s also an excellent source of critical information. It all depends on how you use that intel. Do you know when the budget for raises is finalized? Are you aware of succession plans for management? Do you know how …
© MMXXIII Our Corporate Life LLC All Rights Reserved
Our Corporate Life®, Corporate Compass®, Making a Living at What You Love®, and Taking Control of Your Career® are registered trademarks of Our Corporate Life LLC.
