Workplace Smarts
May 17th, 2009
To Embrace, or Not To Embrace Change … That Shouldn’t Be Your Question!
Nursing is pretty lean. I suspect it will be made leaner. In other departments, there are a lot of management people; there could be some streamlining done there. In nursing, we have always bit the bullet and found out later that other departments haven't reduced their personnel. Any type of ...May 17th, 2009
The Great Communicator
For Seinfeld watchers, one of the classic episodes starts in Monk's Restaurant. Jerry, Elaine, Kramer and his girlfriend of the month are at their regular table. Kramer gets up to make a phone call. Both Jerry and Elaine attempt to engage the woman in conversation to no avail. All she ...May 17th, 2009
Terrorism Brings New Challenges to Work
Since September 11, people are talking more—in the workplace; in their homes; with their friends; and with strangers. I fly a lot—I’m one of those road warriors who routinely logs in excess of 100,000 miles each year and working on my second million miles with United Airlines. Since the 11th, I’ve ...May 17th, 2009
Surviving the Toxic Workplace with Sabotage Savvy
"I didn't want to believe it was happening. It was one of those times in my life that I didn't listen to myself. I kept pushing it down, saying, 'This isn't true. It can't be happening. She's really not like this.' When I finally opened my eyes and ears, I ...May 17th, 2009
Sometimes You Have to Restart Your Engines
What do you do when you feel that your career may be flushing down the drain? Hit the Internet sites with an updated resume—after all, everyone knows that there are zillions of jobs posted, right? Start calculating how much time you’ve accrued when the ax falls—with accumulated sick and vacation time, ...May 17th, 2009
Red Ink Behavior and Zapping Conflict in the Health Care Workplace
Brenda has been late for her shift at least once a week for the past six months; Patricia knows just about everything possible about a patient’s family; Dennis doesn’t respond to any issue until it becomes chaos; Caroline consistently withholds information from her coworkers; Martha is cryptic in her communications, leaving ...May 17th, 2009
Pit Bulls, Bullies and Jerks at Work
Susan is the star of your sales team. She’s closed more deals than others in the division, her customers have commented to management that they felt that they got a good deal when she represented them and that they would work with her again. Management loves her.If you spoke to ...May 17th, 2009
One of Your Keys to Success–The Art of Listening
Remember when TV's Archie Bunker said, "The reason you don't understand me, Edith, is because I'm talkin' to you in English and you're listenin' in dingbat!"? How many people do you know that speak/listen in dingbat? And, do you? Most people think they are communicating clearly and effectively. The reality is ...May 17th, 2009
Next Moves for Boomers
To retire, or not to retire? For the Boomer generation (1946-1964), just what is retirement?If you are a Boomer, most likely you’ve noticed a few changes. Some are physical … you creak, might not be as flexible as just a few years ago, may be thinking about joint replacements and have ...May 17th, 2009
The New Boss from Hell
Think pre-2000. Your stocks are doing great; your 401(k) is on track; your job is ideal; you've got all the benefits you could imagine wanting; and the people you work with and for make your workplace a joy. Your life was almost perfect . . . until your boss quit, the ...May 17th, 2009
Negativity Plus!
Do you feel droopy? Does the nightly news or the morning papers depress you? Do you work with people who continue to grumble about everyone and anything? Is anyone in your family always looking at the glass being half-empty? Do you know people who just don't like what they do ...May 17th, 2009
Meeting Snafus …Taking the Jerks and Jerkettes Out of Them
It’s that time again … the Monday morning meeting. George has got the fastest thumbs in the West as he texts to all; Emily has mastered her latest doodle (and is thinking about bring color pens to enhance it to the next meeting); Michelle is cracking her gum so loudly ...May 17th, 2009
Lose the Losers and Keep the Keepers
Sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint the breaking point when you decide that enough is enough. Whether you’ve been overlooked for a promotion, put down by a coworker or manager or work in a toxic workplace, you’ve decided that you are out of there. The excuse you give, and it is usually ...May 17th, 2009
Let Workplace Failures Strengthen … Not Ruin … You
Donald Trump routinely asks the wannabe apprentices that land in the boardroom the same thing each week on The Apprentice. In the last 15 minutes, he probes the project leader, “Who failed on the task? Who’s responsible for causing you to be here?” Fingers and mouths point at each other. ...May 17th, 2009



