You might be surprised by the information that exists about you online. Manage your online reputation with these tips from Riva Richmond, a technology writer who recently spoke about the topic on a New York Times podcast:
Save email recipients time by using the subject line to relate your message if you’re providing a single fact or asking one question. Add “EOM”–for “end of message”–at the subject line’s tail.
In a perfect world, office equipment would never break. Colleagues would be as dependable and timely as a Swiss train. And creating a foolproof schedule for a project would be a cinch. But in the real world, well, not so much. What happens to that disciplined road map—your schedule—when you hit unexpected snags, as you’re bound to do?
Keep your comments professional, even during a disagreement by avoiding the phrase, “I couldn’t disagree more.” It makes the discussion a personal attack rather than an idea exchange. Instead, say, “I see your point. I also see another side.”
Last week, Chris asked how others handle personnel who wear too-strong perfume. Readers said one solution is to institute a “Fragrance-Sensitive Workplace Policy” since strong odors can trigger migraines or allergies in sensitive individuals. Grooming and hygiene issues are more difficult to handle. Several readers advised speaking privately to the supervisor or letting HR handle it. Patty says, “The worst thing you can do is publically embarrass an employee, who may not even know about the problem. Be empathetic and think about how you would want to be approached if you were the person with the problem.”
Editor’s Note: For an excellent resource on this topic,
Tough Talks: Scripts & Strategies for Difficult Employee Discussions,
click here.
Workplace conflicts often arise because different people have different ways of doing things. Tips for navigating a clash of the styles:
Deal with a constant “What if …” worrier by answering the person with, “What if that did happen? How would you handle it?” By making the situations sound momentarily real, you’ll help a worrier calm his or her fears.
“The first day of work,” says an administrative assistant on her blog, “is like the first day of school … overwhelming.” You have to make new friends, learn the new rules, get to know a new teacher. Welcome a newbie with these tactics:
Walk outside during the day to double your odds of exercising. People who regularly walk on outdoor trails are twice as likely to exercise 30 minutes on most days as people who didn’t get outdoors, according to researchers at the University of Utah at Salt Lake City.
Question: “There is a new woman in our office who has started to copy everything I do. She tries to dress like me, look like me, and act like me. After complimenting my clothes, she asked where I bought them. A few days later, she showed up in a duplicate outfit. She looked in my purse to find my make-up, then went out and bought all the same brands. Today was the last straw. I had an apple for a snack yesterday afternoon, so this morning my coworker showed up with apples. She never brought apples before. I am getting so irritated that I can’t stand to be around this woman. What can I do about this?” —Don’t Need a Clone
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