“How to Listen When Someone Is Venting,” by Mark Goulston.

 September 02, 2013 Monday 

How to Help Someone Vent

It’s hard to know what to do when someone is ranting. A lot of people will try to jump in and give advice. Others freeze up and just sit there silently. Neither of those approaches will help the person get the negative emotions out and move on (which is what she needs most).
Next time someone is bending your ear about a problem, try asking questions. 

Start by probing into what she’s most frustrated about. If you ask about her feelings, it often sounds condescending. Asking about frustration is less judgmental. Listen and gather more details about the problem. Once she’s vented her feelings, she’ll be in a better place to think about potential solutions. 

When people are upset, it matters less what you tell them than what you enable them to tell you.

Adapted from “How to Listen When Someone Is Venting,” by Mark Goulston.

“The Costs of Being a Perfectionist Manager,” by Anna Carmella G. Ocampo et al.

 14 Sept 

Are You a Perfectionist Manager?

It’s one thing to hold your team to a high standard, but taking it to the extreme by being a perfectionist manager is a surefire way to undermine their morale and performance. (1) To make sure your desire for flawlessness doesn’t backfire, first, design the right goals. Strike a balance between challenging and attainable to keep your employees motivated but not stressed. And remember, progress is more important than perfection. If one of your employees falls short of their goals, highlight the new knowledge, skills, and experience they gained in the process. Reframing performance in this way will help your team focus on improving future performance. (2)  It’s also important to recognize and reinforce that failure is part of the process. If you show your team that you’re intolerant of failure, you’ll quash their creativity and motivation. (3)  Encourage experimentation and outside-the-box thinking, even if it’s not certain to pay off. (4) And finally, be kind—both to yourself and your employees.  Perfectionism often stems from fear. Positive self-talk can help you overcome hypercritical and catastrophic thinking and, in turn, will lead to a more compassionate relationship with your team.

This tip is adapted from “The Costs of Being a Perfectionist Manager,” by Anna Carmella G. Ocampo et al.

“How to Build a Career in a New Industry,” by Dorie Clark

 Tue 13 Sept 2022

Break into a New Industry

Reinventing yourself professionally can feel daunting. Where do you even begin? Here’s how to figure things out and ease the transition when switching career paths. Map the terrain. Read the bios and LinkedIn profiles of senior leaders or role models in the industry you’re considering pivoting into. What were their paths to success? Deconstructing their trajectories can help you lay down a similar roadmap for your new career. Network widely. Cultivating a deep roster of contacts will help you better navigate your new field, find an initial landing spot, and pivot if that first gig isn’t a great fit for you. Identify emerging opportunities. When you’re an outsider in a sector, you can assess the landscape with fresh eyes. Do the insiders have a blind spot? If you can become the “go-to” person in an underdeveloped corner of a market, you may be able to build a career around it. Forge your own path. Break out of a traditional, linear career mindset and be open to strategic lateral moves that will ultimately add up to your new success.

This tip is adapted from “How to Build a Career in a New Industry,” by Dorie Clark

“The New Rules of Work Clothes,” by Allison Shapira

 Mon 12 Sept 2022

Is It Time to Rethink Your Work Attire?

After two years of working from home during the pandemic, our tolerance for discomfort in the way we dress has changed, and the business dress code is evolving. If you’re returning to the office and aren’t sure what to wear, start by observing others in your workplace.  How are your colleagues, bosses, and clients dressing these days? (1)  If the vibe is trending casual, as in many organizations, feel free to experiment. You don’t have to follow exactly what others are doing, but seeing them take those first steps may embolden you to make changes yourself. (2) Making yourself more comfortable—for example, by losing the tie or swapping your heels for sneakers—can lead to confidence, which in turn leads to authentic self-expression. (3) If your colleagues haven’t noticeably changed their attire but you feel strongly that you should, don’t be afraid to take the lead: Try making a change and evaluate the response to it. You may be surprised by the positive feedback to your nonconformity. But take note of boundaries, too. There may be contexts where conforming to more traditional, formal attire remains the most appropriate option.

This tip is adapted from “The New Rules of Work Clothes,” by Allison Shapira

“How to Figure Out the Power Dynamics in a New Job,” by Nihar Chhaya

 Fri 08 Jan 2022

Identify the Power Players at Your New Company

When you join a new organization, figuring out who holds power and why is about a lot more than looking at people’s job titles. (1) Start by identifying who exercises different modes of power—for instance, colleagues whom everyone seems to know, whose ideas always get approved, or who always seem to have others seeking them out for help or advice. You may also want to find out who’s been promoted fast as an indicator of success. (2) Next, recognize that the power landscape is dynamic. As business priorities or circumstances change, so do the colleagues who have influence. Figure out who's rising with the changing tides. (3)  Finally, set yourself apart and get on the radar of some of these influential colleagues. To do this, employ a humble desire to learn from them, mixed with an energetic desire to offer value—with no immediate agenda. Eventually, it will pay off.

This tip is adapted from “How to Figure Out the Power Dynamics in a New Job,” by Nihar Chhaya

“How to Deal with Layoff Anxiety,” by Melody Wilding

 Thu 15 Sept 2022

What to Do If You’re Afraid of Being Laid Off If the uncertainty of looming layoffs is hanging over your head, how can you proactively confront and manage your anxiety? First, examine the available evidence by asking yourself questions like: Are the metrics relevant to my work consistently down? Or is my workload lighter than usual? If the answer to these questions is no, your stress is likely unfounded. If the answer is yes, it might be time to take constructive action: Mitigate risks. Speak to your boss about modifying your workload to ensure your time is adding value. At the same time, re-engage your network. Reconnect with old colleagues, managers, and contacts. You’ll feel calmer about possible change if you have supportive people in your corner. Imagine the worst-case scenario. What are the next steps you would take if you were laid off? Lay out your plan in detail. How would you deal with finances, health care, and finding a new job? A concrete contingency plan will help you regain a sense of control. Remember: Your work is not your whole identity. Invest in different areas of your life, such as your relationships, hobbies, and mental and physical health. That way, if things at work go south, you won’t lose your entire sense of self. This tip is adapted from “How to Deal with Layoff Anxie

“3 Types of Burnout, and How to Overcome Them,” by Melody Wilding

 Thu 08 Sept 2022 

What Kind of Burnout Are You Facing?

While burnout is a common workplace affliction, it comes in different shapes and sizes. Here's how to identify the type of burnout you might be facing—and what to do about it. If you overlook your own needs or personal life to fulfill work demands, you might be suffering from overload burnout. In this case, use positive self-talk to recalibrate your priorities and restore your sense of self outside of work. For example, instead of saying, "I need to work all the time to be successful," try saying, "Striking a better balance in my life will help my stamina so that I can achieve my goals." If you feel your job doesn't offer you opportunities to grow, you might be suffering from under-challenged burnout. In this case, identify some achievable development goals. Making strides towards something that feels fun and meaningful can lift you out of a funk—even if those strides aren't directly related to your career. If you stop trying when work situations don’t go as planned, you give up in response to obstacles or setbacks, or you simply feel demoralized when you face your daily to-do list, you might be suffering from neglect burnout. In this case, identify exactly what you're dreading and create a "to-don't" list—a list of responsibilities you can talk to your manager about saying "no" to or delegating. And of course, prioritize self-care outside of work.

This tip is adapted from “3 Types of Burnout, and How to Overcome Them,” by Melody Wilding