Use Your Difference to Your Advantage

Quick, think of a woman at work who is “different.” Why did she come to mind? What made her stand out? Is her difference positive or negative? Now think about yourself. What makes you different, and how can you use your difference to your advantage? Too often we put “difference” in a negative category. We note someone’s weight or other physical attribute (height, pink hair, tattoos) or what they wear (4-inch heels, sweatsuit, nose rings). Sometimes, we include ... Read more

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The New Job Didn’t Work Out: Now What?

For weeks you have been in the running for a new job. Things looked positive. You completed two or three interviews and you made the short list. There were a few negatives, but as the process moved forward, you tended to overlook that long commute or the fact that you would be back in a carrel rather than an office. There was a momentum that seemed to signify you would soon be moving on. Psychologically, you began to envision yourself in the new job. At the same time, you mentally ... Read more

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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