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Year: 2012

Make a powerful impact

Give co-workers, customers or clients a positive feeling about engaging with you by saying: “I took your suggestion.” Telling them that you valued their ideas enough to use them makes a powerful impact.

What co-workers never want to hear

You never know when you’re go­­ing to need some friendly help or support, writes J.T. O’Donnell, career strategist and workplace consultant. She suggests keeping the peace with your co-workers by avoiding these potentially offensive questions:

Rein in meeting disruptions

Few things annoy office workers more than unnecessary and un­­pro­­ductive meetings, surveys find. People wander off topic, send texts instead of listening, and behave in all sorts of dysfunctional ways. Keep your team meetings on task by adopting a few techniques.

Can you convince the boss to adopt flextime?

Question: Because of my hour-long commute, I would like to ask my boss for a more flexible work schedule. By working longer hours four days a week, I could eliminate one day of driving. I know that some of my co-workers would also welcome this arrangement. How should I approach my boss about this idea?  Tired of Driving

Will you be my mentor?

Mentors are important to your success as an administrative professional—and they are easier to find than you fear, says Shellye Archambeau, CEO of MetricStream.