10 Ways to Introduce New Ideas at Work

You have been at your job for a few months. While things are going fairly well, you have discovered several areas that you believe would streamline effort (including your own) and help the organization save money and be more effective. You have mentioned some of your ideas to your immediate supervisor, and they were met with a lukewarm response. Now you are thinking of trying to get to the actual decision makers. Wouldn’t this help others recognize your expertise and value. The answer ... Read more

Leave a reply

Are you Really Unhappy at Work?

Individuals often speak about being unhappy at work? When they do so, it frequently is a broad statement that seems to incorporate and color all aspects of their job. If you fall in this generally unhappy category, it might be useful to consider how you are you defining your situation? What does the word “unhappy” actually mean to you? Take a few minutes and make three columns on a sheet of paper. Title one “Unhappy about,” one “Tolerable,” and one ... Read more

Leave a reply

Complaining at Work

During your career, you will probably experience some unfairness, some nepotism, and some favoritism. You will see employees who are considered “the golden girl or boy,” and others who are labeled negatively. It is hard to know what or how to do something about these situations. Note that I am not talking about issues like sexual misconduct or discrimination. Those are so serious that they require action with the help of your boss or human resource department. Instead, I am ... Read more

Leave a reply

Risk Taking is Worth the Risk

When was the last time you put yourself in a situation where you could fail? I don’t mean playing a game of tennis or playing a fun game of poker online. I’m talking about a potential failure with actual consequences. Maybe you’re thinking that you’re not interested in risk, that you like to “play it safe,” that you don’t want to “rock the boat.” Yes, you have heard the self-help advice about the importance of risk-taking. You’ve ... Read more

Leave a reply

The Role of Hope in the Workplace

Think how often you hear the word “hope” at work—I hope we win that contract. I hope we get bonuses this year. I hope the boss is pleased. Or, more negatively, that old adage, hope is not a strategy. Hope may not be a strategy; it is actually much more. Some people equate hope with wishing, but wishing lacks the critical components of hope. The Greek origin of the word “hope” means confident expectation, not merely wishing. The distinguishing factors of hope are a ... Read more

Leave a reply

Don’t Create Your Own Unhappiness in the New Year

How are you beginning your New Year? Are you energized, forward-looking, and excited? Do you have plans and goals and new ideas? Or are you dragging yourself into 2018 still glancing backward, filled with negative thoughts or regrets, perhaps even feeling some dread? Does it matter? You don’t really have any control, do you? You’ve heard all of the clichés—what you send out into the universe is what comes back; God helps those who help themselves; People are just about as happy ... Read more

Leave a reply

What is a Work Hour Worth?

In daily life, we seldom give much thought to the value of one hour. We can easily fritter an hour away checking text messages, posting on Facebook, or playing video games. On the other hand, we can multi-task and fill an hour with frenetic activity such as running on a treadmill while listening to a web cast. What about the value of an hour at work? Those 35-40 hours each week are, theoretically, to be set aside for specific work-related activity. Yet, research tells us few people actually ... Read more

Leave a reply

What Goes Around Comes Around

One negative memory that I hold from the last Presidential election is that of Michael Flynn leading crowds in the chant of “Lock her up!” He was, of course, referring to candidate Hillary Clinton. Just recently, the same Michael Flynn (who, for a short while, served as the National Security Advisor) pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, a crime that can carry a five-year jail sentence. There are days I want to be that proverbial “fly on the wall.” Was Hillary watching ... Read more

Leave a reply

Being Bold (Part II)

You recently began a new professional position and you are feeling a bit intimidated by your more experienced colleagues. You may be a bit uncertain about workplace protocols. You don’t want to be overbearing, but you don’t want to appear mousy or shy either. How bold should you be? You do need to make an effort to become integrated. The first step is to take the initiative to introduce yourself to others whenever you can. Don’t assume they know who you are. This includes ... Read more

Leave a reply

Being Bold (Part I)

Recently, when walking through a makeup section of a store, it was apparent that the color palette for this season is bold, bold, and bolder still. There were advertisements for bold nail polish, bold lipsticks, bold eye shadow, even bold hair colors. They looked lively and fun, but It made me wonder about the average woman and when and where they would use such colors. Casual settings would be fine, but would they be appropriate for the office and board room? The answer is it probably ... Read more

Leave a reply