How to Tame Difficult, Childish Coworkers
In my recent article for Psychology Today I address the issue of difficult co-workers. Climbing the corporate ladder can be a challenge when one or more of your office folk act as if your success will thwart their own advancement. Some believe that knocking you out of the way or climbing over you is the […]
Read MoreWinning the “Blame Game”
Have you ever been blamed for something that’s not your fault? An excellent article in The New York Times addresses the perils of the Blame Game in the workplace. Mistakes and failures happen, says the article, and finger pointing in the workplace is a pretty common occurrence. Unfair and unpleasant as a wrong accusation may […]
Read MoreHow to Master “Matrix Boss Madness”
Matrix management – where supervisors with related skills are pooled for a more productive project outcome – can actually create a lot of chaos for you if not orchestrated well. In my recent article on PsychologyToday.com, I show how you can take action in mitigating some of the madness. As we emerge from fuzzy job descriptions […]
Read MoreTurn Yourself into an Office Diplomat
I always emphasize the importance of interpersonal skills. As I mention in my book, Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant, the ability to understand your fellow co-worker and maintain open communication is the basis for humanizing the workplace. I recently addressed this issue in my article for BusinessWeek.com where I discuss “office diplomacy.” We’ve all observed managers with […]
Read MoreAcing a Job Interview: The Art of Proper Follow-Up
Often a job interview is like playing poker – you have to know how much to reveal, how much to conceal, and when to call for all cards on the table. If you play your hand right, the game is yours. But what to do when you’re across the table from an interviewer with the […]
Read MoreLanding a Survival Job
Today many people are forced to look for jobs below their qualifications. In the current tough economic climate even “settling for less” often presents a challenge and needs to be done right. What advice would you give to candidates seeking “survival jobs” – or use yourself in a tough situation? Megan Malugani, a contributing writer […]
Read MoreHoliday Season Separation Anxiety
Having tied all loose ends at work, you are about to take a well-deserved holiday vacation. But do you feel that your boss is uncomfortable letting you go, as if even more is expected of you in addition to all you’ve done? Fear is a big driver, and when bosses – and kids – don’t […]
Read MoreCoping With Difficult Bosses
A recent article on Monster+HotJobs.com titled Coping With 5 Boss Personality Types discusses five major boss types that aren’t easy to deal with (hence the need to cope). For each boss trait, the author cites advice from a number of experts, including myself. In my book Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant I give a bit […]
Read MoreMSN Careerbuilder: How to Call in a Favor at Work
MSN Careerbuilder recently ran an article by Danny Goldin, titled How to Call in a Favor at Work. It deals with those situations when the daily grind becomes a bit too much. The article recognizes that although we may be reluctant to ask other people for help, each of us may have to do it […]
Read MorePut Leadership Training on the Front Burner
The recession forced corporations to cut down on training, especially leadership programs, creating a deficiency that will sooner or later show up in their performance. Leadership training is highly important for success – both long-term and immediate. There can be no justification for postponing it indefinitely, not even in these tough economic times. Even a […]
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