Never go to your boss and simply say, “What should I do?” She may begin to wonder if you’re really cut out to be a boss yourself someday. If you do need advice (and there’s nothing wrong with that), it’s best to think of a possible solution first, then ask, “What do think of this […]
Ever notice that when someone is speaking to you in a slightly tense conversation, the use of your name has the effect of putting you slightly on the defensive? (“Well, Susan, as I said before…”) While it’s a personable thing to do when things are casual, it can come off as an aggressive means of […]
A pre-made email signature would seem to add a nice personal touch to the end of your emails, but often they create the opposite effect, ending your communications with an impersonal “form letter” feel. Internal emails especially could do without the odd formality of contact and job title info that people see again and again. […]
When you absolutely know that the positive outcome of a certain project or initiative is certain, you have the opportunity to appear very strong indeed when you speak of it. Don’t pass it up. Instead of saying, “We’re definitely going to meet our customer response target this month,” try “That customer response target is a […]
“I’m sorry to bother you … Is it OK if I ask you a question? … I’m not an expert but I think it’s important … Sorry again …” Don’t demean or lessen yourself by filling your speech or your email with apologies for intruding or presuming. You’re not “just” anything—put yourself on equal terms […]
Is your boss looking for a way to recognize an employee’s effort that will get the biggest bang for the buck? Send a gift basket (chocolates, coffee, tea, fruits, wine, etc.) to the employee’s house. A gift basket—along with a “Your efforts are truly appreciated” note—seen by the recipient’s spouse and family will have a […]
Quick question: What’s the most dangerous thing you do all day? Answer: Sit. Scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana analyzed the lifestyles of more than 17,000 men and women over about 13 years. They found that people who sit for most of the day are 54 percent more likely to die of […]
It seems like a perfectly natural way to work: When a task comes in, it’s placed in the queue behind the others in front of it, and you finish one thing completely before you start on the next. But this method can wind up painting you in a poor light, as work that would take […]
The truth is, some employees grab items for home use (read: they pilfer) and some employees just get careless (I can’t find the pen I grabbed yesterday, so I’ll just go get a new one today). A solution: Keep a sign-out sheet near the supply cache and instruct employees that they must jot down the […]
How you position your desk in your office says a lot to your employees. Facing the door with your desk at a perpendicular angle makes you look rigid, like a high school principal ready to chew someone out. Against the side wall makes you look like a worker bee who doesn’t want to be bothered. […]
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