“How to Handle Office Gossip … When It’s About You,” by Joseph Grenny

 Wed 07 Sept 2022

So, You Found Out That a Colleague Is Talking About You Behind Your Back

What should you do if you find out a colleague has been gossiping about you? Here's how to handle the awkwardness. (1) First, let whoever broke the news know that you plan to discuss it with the guilty gossiper—not to start an argument, but to engage in a candid and respectful dialogue. (2) Then, when you confront the gossiper, focus first on what they said. Be humble. Don’t frame the conversation as “Shame on you for talking behind my back,” but rather as “If I’ve failed you in some way, I really want to understand how." If there’s merit to the person’s concerns, you get the benefit of the feedback, and you also demonstrate maturity and accountability. Don’t be deterred if the person starts by claiming misunderstanding or minimizing their statements. Reiterate your desire for feedback and urge them to be forthcoming about any concerns. (3)  Finally, ask them for a commitment that, in the future, you’ll hear the complaint directly from them—and promise them the same yourself.

This tip is adapted from “How to Handle Office Gossip … When It’s About You,” by Joseph Grenny

“Feeling Demotivated? Consider How Your Job Helps Others.,” by John Coleman

Tue 06 Sept 2022 

Remind Your Team That Their Work Has Impact

One often-overlooked way to motivate employees is to encourage them to consider how their job helps others. To nudge your team into this transformational mindset shift, turn their attention to one—or more—of these key groups their work may be serving each day. Clients or customers. Look for ways to make your employees' impact more tangible than just revenue and profit. Collect testimonials to share with your team, invite customers or clients to speak at meetings, and keep a running list of real people positively affected by your products or services. Colleagues. Ask your team: What would it look like if we all decided to serve each other the same way we serve clients or customers? Brainstorming around this question will lead to a culture of encouragement, support, and compassion. Community. Think about your organization's broader context. What opportunities does your team have to serve your community right now? Encourage and incentivize your employees to engage in these opportunities. Loved ones. Even on hard days, remind your team to take comfort in the fact that their work is an act of service to those they love—whether it's families they're supporting, people they're providing care for, or charitable works they're contributing to.

This tip is adapted from “Feeling Demotivated? Consider How Your Job Helps Others.,” by John Coleman

“Stop Ghosting and Start Saying No,” by Mita Mallick

 Fri 02 Sept 2022

Stop Ghosting People

Chances are, you’ve been professionally ghosted—and maybe you’ve even professionally ghosted someone else. How can you move away from this bad habit of avoiding conflict, commitment, or difficult conversations? (1) Start by getting comfortable saying “no” early and often. While you may fear being disliked or disappointing others, setting a clear boundary can prevent you from inadvertently burning bridges and damaging your personal brand in the long run. (2) Next, if you do commit to something, don’t let guilt hold you back from communicating and providing updates when things don’t go according to plan  (3) Finally, if you have to deliver bad news, it’s always better to be up front than to not say anything at all. Whether it’s a promotion that will no longer happen, layoff decisions that need to be communicated, or a meeting you need to cancel, don’t put off sharing the news.

This tip is adapted from “Stop Ghosting and Start Saying No,” by Mita Mallick

“How to Build Real Relationships at Work,” by Gorick Ng

 Thu 01 Sept 2022

Turn a Simple “Hi” into a Fruitful Relationship at Work

Building relationships at work is more complex than simply “putting yourself out there.” It takes real work. (1) Start by breaking the silence. If you’re working in an office, try placing yourself in a high-traffic area, where you’re more likely to have impromptu conversations with colleagues from across the organization. Or, try showing up a few minutes early to meetings, using that informal time to chat and get to know people. (2) Next, turn your acquaintances into allies by turning one-off conversations into a recurring rapport—following up on whatever you discussed or simply saying “Hi again!” in the hallway. (3)  Finally, get proactive about turning rapport into a relationship by scheduling time to chat or grabbing coffee. Eventually, you’ll find yourself benefiting from fruitful mentorships and peer relationships that could ultimately change the course of your career.

This tip is adapted from “How to Build Real Relationships at Work,” by Gorick Ng

“How to Get the Best Possible Recommendation from a Job Reference,” by Marlo Lyons

 Tue 30 Aug 2022 

Get the Best Job Reference You Can

When applying for new jobs, it’s important to list great references. Here are three steps to ensure you pick the right ones and that they’re prepared to discuss why you’re the perfect person for the job. Ask the right people. Who will be the most enthusiastic about you? Enthusiasm matters as much as substance—the slightest degree of hesitation from a reference could sink your candidacy. Prepare them. Provide them with the job title and description, and tell them exactly what information you want them to convey to the hiring manager. Are there any key insights you were unable to mention during your interview? References can fill in the gaps. Reach out to backdoor references. These are mutual contacts who the hiring manager could reach out to but who aren’t on the list of references that you provided. (Think: a former colleague who works at the company where you’re applying.) Getting in touch with them about your application could help your candidacy.

This tip is adapted from “How to Get the Best Possible Recommendation from a Job Reference,” by Marlo Lyons

“Facing the Fears That Hold You Back at Work,” by Rebecca Zucker and Ruth Gotian

 Fri 02 Sept 2022

Overcome the Fears Holding You Back at Work

Whether they’re conscious or unconscious, we all experience underlying fears that hold us back at work. How can you overcome yours? (1) First, identify where you start to feel stuck. Maybe you’re hesitant to have difficult conversations with your colleagues, to be more decisive, or to set better boundaries. (2) Acknowledge what jams you up—and dig into it. Name the fear that’s holding you back from taking action, whether it’s the fear of damaging a relationship by being confrontational, of tarnishing your reputation if you make the wrong choice, or of not wanting to disappoint a colleague by saying “no.” (3)  Once you name the underlying fear, think about where it comes from. Chances are, your anxieties are based on an experience unrelated to your present circumstance. (4)  Finally, conduct safe, small, and low-risk experiments to debunk your assumptions. For example, if you have fears related to money, try meeting with a financial planner to get an independent evaluation of your situation. Eventually, you’ll unlearn your old patterns and free yourself of your fears.

This tip is adapted from “Facing the Fears That Hold You Back at Work,” by Rebecca Zucker and Ruth Gotian

“Don’t Focus on Your Job at the Expense of Your Career,” by Dorie Clark

 Wed 31 Aug 2022

Don’t Neglect Your Career While Focusing on Your Job

Are you so focused on your job that you’re neglecting your career? Here’s how to strike a better balance between your short-term responsibilities and your long-term goals. (1) Start by analyzing the strategic value of your tasks. Create a Venn diagram, with one circle representing your existing responsibilities, and another the job description you aspire to. Use this diagram to help you identify the tasks you’d like to hold on to, stretch toward, and eventually let go of. (2) Next, work with your manager to build toward the future you want. Explain the career path you’d ultimately like to take. “I’m committed to doing a great job in this role,” you could say, “and I’d also like to position myself for success in the future. If you’re willing, I’d love your help in strategizing around how to make that work.” Ask for their help in identifying and recommending you for stretch assignments or opportunities to develop new skills and contacts. (3)  Finally, be willing to experiment with “120% time.” This means carving out extra time to experiment with activities outside the scope of your current job requirements.

This tip is adapted from “Don’t Focus on Your Job at the Expense of Your Career,” by Dorie Clark