Instead of talking about leaning in at work, we should be emphasizing leaning out — getting outside the narrow confines of our own self-interests and seeing the workplace as a communal setting that works for everyone and not just a chosen few. Let’s lean on each other for a change.
Does your workplace feel like the frontline? Are you constantly searching for workplace harmony? How can we ever get past that last conflict?
The message was this: everyone is in it for themselves here and we will look for someone to blame when anything goes wrong. I couldn’t protect my team and everyone became unwilling and fearful players in the “blame game.”
A consistent practice of gratitude is what’s really good for you. Besides personal perks like improved physical and emotional health, being a grateful person can help you reach your career goals. It helps you be more likable, makes you a more effective manager, helps you network and get mentors, and improves your decision making capabilities… Read more »
My new team has three positions: one open, one filled, and one person had just resigned but was still on the job for a few more weeks. My first task? Ensure each one of the people in these positions is successful. But how?
A key to creating this open dialogue between management and employees is preventing feedback phobia on both levels. Here are nine tips on how to do just that.
After years of hiring freezes and budget cuts, we have been able to finally back-fill behind people who have retired years ago. And with work load increasing, and a decent budget, we are also able to hire some “entry level” positions to off-set our aging workforce. Often, our job openings are filled by others fromRead… Read more »
Conflict is a normal part of human nature, so it’s not surprising that we find it in the workplace. It’s probably even less surprising that it emerges when applying human-centered design (HCD). Just think about it – human-centered design is a very different way of working for most people. Many find its application uncomfortable inRead… Read more »
When the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) urged D.C. federal agencies to let employees work from home during the Pope’s visit from September 22–24, the idea threw many govies into ecstasy. While government will officially be open for business, the OPM is encouraging “workplace flexibility options” like telework or a day off so they don’t add to the expected holy mayhem. Many agenciesRead… Read more »
We disagree with things people say or do all the time. At work we may disagree with a method, an outcome, a piece of data, a decision, what is said, or how something is said. We shouldn’t be afraid to disagree; it is a natural part of good communication. Topics of great importance inspire passionateRead… Read more »