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Year: 2012

How to work with a domineering boss

Question: Our new CEO dictates orders without getting input from experienced staff and intimidates people by yelling at them in meetings. He was brought in because sales are dropping and the company is losing money. When his ideas fail, the CEO blames the managers, claiming they don’t know how to run their departments. But the real problem is that he is cleaning house through deep job cuts, so we don’t have enough employees to meet his demands. Most people are planning to leave as soon as they can find another job. In the meantime, can you help me figure out how to work with this guy?  Battered Manager

Conquer negativity in the workplace

A large percentage of people have to deal with colleagues who frequently complain, according to a study by Cloud Nine Media. Such negativity isn’t just annoying; re­­search shows it can also take a toll on your brain’s ability to function properly.

Is a messy desk holding you back?

If you’re having a hard time staying focused, the mess on your desk could be partly to blame, writes Mike Michalowicz at American Express OPEN Forum. You can get more productive by making a few simple adjustments to your habits and workspace.

Turn into a techie with online courses

Computer skills are key for succeeding in the current business climate, writes John Patrick Pullen. But even if you didn’t study computer science in school, fear not; there are a number of free online resources that can help you get up to speed.

Politically speaking

Avoid confrontation when discussing politics in the workplace. There’s a right way and a wrong way to phrase your comments, writes Lynze Wardle Lenio at the Daily Muse. “Remember that it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to convince your office mates to switch political parties–or even their position on an issue–in a 30-minute conversation at […]

Rid your speech of weak words

Inject power into your remarks by eliminating words or phrases that weaken your message. That’s easier said than done, since many ­leaders aren’t aware of how their word choice works against them. Here are some keys to communicate with clarity and force: