When you read the headline of this article I bet you thought, “Really??? How is that possible?” The good news is, not only is it possible, some companies mandate it as a condition of employment. At PrintingforLess.com, based in Livingston, Montana, every employee is required to sign the company’s “Agreement to Values” policy, which stipulates …
Question: Our company has many offices, which means frequently we have to collaborate with people we don’t ever see. Every experience I’ve had has been a train wreck! Do you have any suggestions on how to work together virtually? L.M., Mount Prospect, IL Answer: The key challenge when collaborating virtually is communication—which is true when …
It’s no surprise that most managers—over 68% in a recent study—fear communicating difficult feedback. We know, though, that people thrive on feedback, especially high achievers. Everyone likes to know where they stand. When you’re giving the feedback, be present, be direct but kind, and use specific examples. Acknowledge how hard some things are to hear …
Question: I’m a manager and I completely disagree with the politics of my team. I think it’s getting out of hand and it’s starting to be the only topic that anyone speaks about. I’m hesitant to discuss politics because they all know that I have fundamental disagreements with their point of view. How should I …
I think my team focuses on politics too much. Help! Read More »
Regardless of your role, level, or plans, developing your strategic thinking skills will serve you well. In most companies, looking to the past—the traditional case history—is a way to convince others of the value they can bring. Unfortunately, rarely do those same circumstances present themselves in the future. Instead of looking backward, challenge yourself to …
In an age of overexposed reality stars, it’s easy to be cynical about personal branding. Neglecting your own brand, though, has very real consequences for your career. Whether you’ve actively created one or not (or whether you like it or not!), each of us has a brand. It comes from how others see you. Are …
Question: My boss keeps suggesting that we sit together and “figure things out,” e.g., what I want to do next. While I was initially thrilled to have a boss take an interest in my career, now I’m wondering if I should trust her and what this is all about. Am I being paranoid? N.M., Ho-Ho-Kus, …
Question: I continually get emails from my team that make me crazy. I don’t know why they’re pushing back so often or if they’re just not listening. I’ve tried to get to the bottom of this and get nowhere. I have to resolve this because it wastes so much of my time. Any suggestions? M.M., …
My team and I aren’t communicating well via email, help! Read More »
An increasingly important component for job-seeking success is your social profiles. If you’re on social media, it’s a safe bet that your future employer will be looking at your posts. According to Jobvite, 52% of recruiters always search for social media posts and 55% have reconsidered hires based on what was found. Adweek.com reports that …
How we choose to respond to others sets the tone of our relationships and can make us feel better about ourselves. Psychologist Shelly Gable created a theoretical framework to describe the four ways we can respond to good news. She identified active and constructive responding (ACR) as the most effective way to respond because it …
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