Worry in the Workplace
November 14, 2008
Do you find yourself spending time while you’re at work, and even when you’re not at work, worrying about your performance? Thinking, for example:
- “How am I going to get this all done?”
- “I’m not cut out for this work.”
- “They think I’m better than I really am.”
- “I’m going to screw up eventually.”
- “Why am I even working here?”
- “I should get out now before I ruin my reputation.”
If any anxiety-producing questions are running through your head, they are not helping you be an effective professional, leader, team member, or human being. Read more
Bouncing Back from “Bad” Feedback
November 7, 2008
Feedback has an effect on you whether you’re receiving it from an annual performance review, a 360 feedback assessment, or a seemingly well-intentioned comment from a supervisor or colleague. Your interpretation of the feedback depends on a multitude of factors including the source, the content, the intention, your ability to change in relation to the feedback, and how you’re feeling when you receive it.
In some instances, the new information rolls off your back with all of the other data you process each day; other times you can use it to change behaviors, improve performance or enhance business results. A challenge can arise when the feedback seems ill-intentioned, doesn’t come with support or direction, completely surprises you, addresses a very sensitive issue, or seems just plain wrong. The resulting impact can include diminished motivation, disillusionment with work and career, anger, increased insecurities or feelings of professional futility. Read more
Delivering Difficult Messages at Work
August 28, 2008
Feedback is essential to the professional development process. As you advance professionally, you will be placed in more situations in which you will need to give feedback to others. Letting your direct reports know how well they are doing is usually the enjoyable part of the feedback loop. It’s when a difficult message has to be given that many managers and leaders stumble. Whether the information needs to be shared with an individual, a group or an entire organization, these instances can truly become an opportunity for all parties involved. Opportunity arises when the outcome of the interaction leads to greater awareness, learning, motivation, support and creativity as well as a call to action.
Faced with this challenge-cum-opportunity, how do you actually do it? Read more
The Opportunity of Conflict
August 28, 2008
You’ve been working very hard on a new project. You’re counting on everyone to get their pieces in, on time, and to standard. However, you dread getting John’s project. Every time you receive something from him, it’s laden with typos, it doesn’t make a lot of sense, and you have to do it yourself. You don’t want to hurt his feelings, but you’d rather not expect anything of him than receive sub-par materials.
Does this sound like you? Everyday we encounter conflict. We spend so much time avoiding conflict, but what would happen if we embraced it? Read more
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