How far would you go to help your boss? Would you call in a bomb threat? That’s what one admin did in an attempt to delay a flight out of Miami International Airport—so her boss wouldn’t miss it. It’s an extreme example, to be sure. But most of us have felt tempted, at some point, to go overboard to help a manager we’re loyal to.
January 8, 2010
Categorized in: Travel
As business travel picks up, try incorporating this savvy tip to make trips hassle-free: Ship your luggage via FedEx ahead of time, using three-day service or ground. CBS travel editor Peter Greenberg says he hasn’t checked luggage on domestic flights in nearly nine years—even before airlines began charging to check bags.
The recession has led to more than just job cuts. It has also opened the door to more gossip around the water cooler. In a survey conducted last year by the SHRM, 54% of managers said they had seen an increase in gossip or rumors about downsizing or layoffs. Want to quash rumors? Kathi Elster, co-author of Working with You Is Killing Me, offers these guidelines:
Question: “Does anyone have a recommendation for Project Management utilizing an already existing SharePoint system?” — LaNash Wallander
When your job is to keep things from falling through the cracks, a good time-management system can serve as a tightly woven net. Sue Shellenbarger, a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, recently took the most widely used systems for a test drive, trying each one for a week. Here’s what she learned:
Question: “I work with someone who has a strong Diva personality. She is a good worker, but believes she is better than everyone else, and points that out on a regular basis through her actions. To top this off, she is constantly interrupting others. How should I deal with this without insulting her or raising a big fuss?” — Caron Mosey
Question: “I was recently hired as a manager in a small family-owned business. I’m having problems with another manager who happens to be the son of our CEO. Last week, I gave the CEO some constructive criticism about her son’s performance, but she made it clear that critiquing him was a big mistake. I quickly got the message that her son can do no wrong and any discussion of his performance is off-limits. Now I feel that I can’t say anything about him, even though he’s my co-worker. How can I deal with these frustrating family dynamics? — Not a Relative