5 personal touches that tech just can’t emulate
In our tech-crazed times, now may be a good time to go back to basics. Use these quaint practices to reach out to people.
Category: People Skills
Stretched between 2 bosses
Anyone who has worked for two or more bosses can tell you: The division of labor often leaves you feeling stretched both ways. But with some schedule-wrangling and communication skills, you can manage the work more smoothly.
What to say when it’s ‘not your job’
What’s the right thing to do when you’re asked to do something that doesn’t play to your strengths, or that was never mentioned as part of your job description, or that you flat-out don’t want to do? Admin Pro Forum readers weigh in:
4 secrets to a happy customer
It’s easy to have your good mood shattered by a nasty customer, an out-of-the-blue criticism or a computer system that refuses to cooperate. Think of angry customers as a creativity test. Satisfy them without letting their discontent bring you down. Four tips:
Office etiquette: When to hit mute
Workplace noise is a pet peeve for one in five employees, and it can even damage productivity. But is it a peeve worth escalating to human resources? Most HR workers would say that employees should resolve the noisy co-worker issue on their own.
Admins with ‘longevity’ in hot demand
The demand for highly skilled assistants has increased the past several years, as shareholders and customers demand greater access to executives. Among the most desired: assistants with tech savvy and “demonstrated longevity.” In other words, admins who have built over time a strong working relationship with their executive bosses.
Getting out from under an office bully
Feel exhausted, even on a vacation day? That’s one sign you’re being bullied at work, according to a “you know you’ve been bullied at work when …” checklist by Workplace Bullying Institute. Other signs that you’re in the bully’s bull’s-eye:
Snoopy co-workers and other busybodies
Frustrated with her snooping co-workers, one anonymous admin wrote on the Admin Pro Forum: “I work with a group of people who always want to know what I’m working on, what I’m doing, what I’m looking at, who I’m talking to, who that e-mail is from, etc. How do I handle inquisitive co-workers?” What other admins advise:
Tips for working with a younger boss
Nearly half of U.S. workers work for someone younger than they are, according to a recent Career Builders survey. Is it a problem to work for someone younger than you? Only if you happen to be young: Among 25- to 34-year-old workers, 16% said they found it difficult to take direction from a younger boss while 7% of age 45 to 54 workers find it difficult.
Do you know your company’s core values?
Are you in touch with your company’s core values? And what about your team? Have you sat down as a group to talk about what your core values mean? If not, suggest to your boss that it might be time. Here’s the potential payoff for you and your boss: