Strategies for Responding to Dysfunctional Colleagues
On television or at the movie theater, workplace dysfunction is always good for a laugh. An entire plot can be built around the antics, quirks, and miss-everything’s that go with dysfunction on the job site. But in real life, at your workplace? Well, then it’s not nearly so amusing. Here are some questions to ask yourself when the tension escalates, paired with a couple of strategies for rising above the fray enough to accomplish your assigned tasks and you know, preserve your sanity, too. What’s really going on? Underlying issues such as illness or family situations may be contributing to…
A LinkedIn Profile Too?
But I have a resume. Why do I need a profile too? Because each plays a distinct role in maximizing a job search. These days, most hiring companies hit the web when scoping out candidates. In fact, a Jobvite survey found that 94% of U.S. companies perform social recruiting. And where might you guess the majority of this online recruiting is happening? The survey found that 94% of survey respondents named LinkedIn as their dominant recruiting network. So, do you need a LinkedIn profile! Yes, you do! Joyce Lain Kennedy, author of the Careers Now column and multiple Dummies job…
Effective Communication
Part II – 5 Strategies to Better Communication Skills When asked, “Are you a good listener?” most people fire off a quick, “Yes, of course.” What many fail to realize, however, is that hearing is only half the battle. Maybe even less than that. Listening well includes not only grasping the words but understanding the underlying messages as well. And some folks still don’t get that effective communication is every bit as much—if not more—about listening than talking. Admitting the need for a bit of improvement in the communication department is the first step toward becoming a better communicator. When…
Workplace Ethics
Ethics – an absolutely essential key to a company’s long-term success. It’s the glue that holds culture, creativity, innovation, teamwork, and everything else that matters together. As Mary Kay Ash says, “Honesty is the cornerstone of all success, without which confidence and ability to perform shall cease to exist.” Begin at the Top: For ethics to take root and grow within a company, it must begin at the top. Starting with the owner(s), the board members, and the entire C-Level, ethics must be the focused foundation. This includes: Integrity: Honesty in every detail – from budget to design to materials;…
Effective Communication
Part I – The Barriers You facilitate weekly staff meetings, send detailed email updates—everyone should be on the same page, right? But for some reason, they’re not. What’s going on? Although communication is occurring, obviously it lacks in effectiveness. To be effective, communication must be clearly delivered, fully received, and unmistakably understood. Much easier to describe than to accomplish, though, since communication can break down at any number of junctures between the sender and the receiver for a myriad of reasons. The key to achieving effective communication is an awareness of what may be getting in the way. These common barriers…