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Category: Difficult People

The art of giving negative feedback

Do’s and don’ts of negative feedback √ DON’T sugarcoat negative feedback. If you’re going to use constructive criticism, don’t dilute the impact. √ DO focus on specific events. √ DON’T give criticism in a way that would offend. Avoid sarcasm and personal asides. √ DO make change the goal of your feedback. √ DON’T put […]

Resolve conflict in person, not in email

The co-worker in the next cubicle hums all day. Yesterday your boss dressed you down in front of the entire team. Another admin has been griping about the same issue for a week. In every case, it would be all too easy to ignore the problem, or avoid confrontation by sending an email. But in every case, a live conversation is the better solution.

8 signs you work with a deadbeat

Deadbeats suck the life out of every­one around them. They may sometimes be hard to identify, and they’re even harder to publicly label once found. According to the blogger behind “HR Fish­bowl,” you’re a deadbeat employee if you:

Standing up to the bully boss

After 20 years of being a secretary, writes one administrative professional, she knows how to do the necessary work. That hasn’t kept her current supervisor or her supervisor’s boss—both women—from berating and intimidating her. The admin asks, “How can I learn to stand up for myself in a professional manner?”