Are you one of the lucky people that have gone through work life working with wonderful people and managers who mentor you and whom you fondly remember as those who encouraged you to be your best? Sadly many managers are more like tormentors, largely as a result of their upbringing or role models from their […]
We all face conflict at different times with An angry team member A furious customer A fuming boss An explosive workmate The client from hell… Usually we don’t get the practice we need to handle it well because It doesn’t happen all that often in most workplaces We often don’t have good role models around […]
Many people find it easier to complain about people they work with behind their backs. So they build and build their anger and annoyance and drive their loved ones and close friends crazy, meanwhile leaving the ‘difficult’ person or poor performer making more mistakes and often unaware. How many of us say these things or […]
There are so many words for negative people at work! Nitpicker Carper Quibbler Blamer Criticizer Disparager Belittler Critic This is the person who finds fault with everyone, and is quick to see what isn’t working with a project… usually carping about something, creating a black hole around them that effectively sucks positive energy into their […]
We often think we are as good a listener as we are a talker. However, with the best will in the world, people fall into the following traps: 1. Giving a mixed message – saying you’re listening but you’re not. The “light’s on but no-one’s home” expression is a giveaway. You might be trying to be […]
Who doesn’t love cakes? I passed a patisserie early on the weekend, and marveled at the wonderful variety on display – a work of art! Pastry chefs do this virtually every day, in so many similar places and it’s always good. Shouldn’t we all bring a little of this dedication and craft to our work? […]
At some stage in our lives, we’ve all learned to be polite and not interrupt when someone is speaking. But what if they talk on and on and don’t stop! How long can you let it go on? How do you feel? Bored Angry your time is being wasted Sorry for the person that they […]
Are you assertive or does someone always get the better of you? Somehow you end up saying yes to things you didn’t want to, loaning items you preferred not to, or worse still always lending money but then being too uncomfortable to ask for it back even after it is long overdue? (I’m always surprised […]
Recent Gallup research shows that a scarily large portion of employees are not motivated or engaged in their jobs. Many nevertheless perform tasks adequately, while a subset barely drag themselves to work every day. The reasons for this range from insufficient appreciation, to seeking enhanced promotion prospects elsewhere, to requiring greater flexibility – and those […]
