Archive for the ‘Humanize The Workplace’ Category
Higher Unemployment: A TOT Incubator?
10January 2009
A few business executives have repeated an almost identical office scenario to me lately. And with December 2008 unemployment reaching 7.2 percent, it’s no wonder.
The scene: The boss, let’s call him “James,” calls an employee, who we’ll call “Steve,” into his office. (TOT alert?!)
Steve opens and closes the door behind him, and apprehensively approaches the guest chair. He stops, looks at his boss, and then quietly asks, “Am I getting the ax?”
James’ mouth drops, bewildered, as he freezes in his executive chair. “No! Have a seat. I was just gonna to ask you if we hired the Smith vendor.” There’s an awkward, mutual sigh of relief. This scenario brings up several points:
1) Besides the obvious heightened alert level in the office, many bosses like James may not even realize that the mere act of calling someone into their office from behind closed doors these days can make already nervous employees feel like they’re walking into a real-life suspense thriller. (Yet even managers in the company fear for their own jobs today). If the boss “act outs” once you’re there, down goes your performance.
2) Higher joblessness can unfortunately be an incubator for Terrible Office Tyrants (TOTs) – they can emerge with more frequency and fervor because of the increase power they wield in this environment. The result: you must learn how to better discern fear from reality in your daily work - for better focus.
3) Some TOTs may instill so much fear (and keep you working so late) that you barely remember your home address! Or, they may display irrational fears themselves that ripple throughout the company (see: TameYourTOT-Childlike fear It’s incumbent upon you to work hard during tough times, but to also maintain enough balance to be productive.
4) Your boss may assume that employees are working at full throttle, when in fact layoffs and the recession are taking a heavy toll on productivity. If you have a good rapport with your boss, you can diplomatically suggest the need for assurances to the team where feasible. You can do your part to humanize your workplace by being a constructive conduit with this message (see: Humanize your Workplace™ article
5) If you work for a TOT, you can politely intimate: “If our valued people feel ‘unvalued’ and walk, we’ll have no company.”
Now the scene “playback”: Steve confidently walks into James’ office and says, “Morning, James, you wanted to see me?” James says, “Hey. So, what do you think? Should we hire the Smith vendor?”
Best regards,
Lynn
Got a TOT? You’re not alone! Dare to share your story at the TOT Blog with other TOT tamers in the making, while Lynn helps you: cope with difficult or childish bosses and office politics, and humanize your workplace™. Post your question for Lynn, and she will try her best to answer it in an upcoming TOT Tamer Advice Column. Be sure to visit www.tameyourtot.com.
Learning From 2008, Looking Towards 2009
22December 2008
The year is coming to a close… and in looking back at 2008 (quite a challenging fall and winter in the world of work) and looking ahead at the New Year, here are some thoughts:
1. Tough times manifest themselves in many ways. Bad behaviors (such as territorialism or bullying) can be amplified when bosses are stressed or panicked.
2. When your boss is giving you a hard time, remember, we’re all human. Try to understand the root causes of your boss’s behavior. You’ll have a better chance at working towards a solution if you know what’s behind the problem.
3. A job is not a guarantee, and certainly not today. But employees who have a positive spirit and a desire to work with their boss will always have the best chances for success.
4. Even in a down economy, the American workforce continues to impress with their courage and determination to do its best work.
5. The job market is cyclical. Things may get worse, but “this too shall pass.” Hang in there!
So… farewell to 2008 and welcome to 2009. There are a lot of exciting things happening at tameyourTOT.com and the TOT blog. Keep watching for news, and remember, I’m here to help.
Best regards,
Lynn
Unravel Your Corporate Culture
3July 2008
In addition to the resources at the Tame Your TOT site, which is your first stop for information about dealing with difficult and frustrating bosses, I’ve also created some articles at www.lynntaylorconsulting.com that might be of interest to you. I recently wrote about corporate culture, something that affects all of us. Here’s a sneak preview:
Corporate culture is a mysterious term that every employee can describe, but it’s different at every company, and different for every person. One thing most will agree upon, however, is that it matters.
Why is corporate culture such an important factor of career life? Because it has nothing to do with what you studied, your technical skills, your job history, your most notable accomplishments, or your great business contacts. But it has everything to do with your success at your job.
Check out the complete article here and be sure to visit the site, too.
Dare To Share Your Story!
26June 2008
Got a TOT? You’re not alone! Dare to share your story here at the TOT Blog with other TOT tamers in the making. I’ll help you cope with difficult or childish bosses, navigate office politics, and humanize your workplace™. The end result? Greater fulfillment in your job and advancement in your career.
Post a comment with your TOT story, and we might feature it in an upcoming blog article. Or post a question for me, and I will try my best to answer it in the TOT Tamer Advice Column. Be sure to visit the Tame Your TOT™ site at http://www.tameyourtot.com/.
Welcome To The TOT Blog!
10April 2008
Welcome to The TOT Blog, the interactive space for the Tame Your TOT™ community! What’s a TOT? It’s a Terrible Office Tyrant™ – a manager who behaves in a childish or childlike manner. Sometimes that boss behaves like a brat, but other times, he or she appears to be a helpless toddler. Since you’re here, you probably face such frustrations and challenges with your boss. I think you’ll find this site to be of help – and maybe even a source of some levity!
My goal is to help you humanize your workplace – help create an environment where respect, collaboration, better understanding, and “fun” rule the day. When you have greater control over your work life, you reduce your stress level and can actually look forward to the office. We want to help you change the way you think about work. Not surprisingly, the result of all this is enhanced corporate productivity, which circles around to benefit you as well. Tame Your TOT is designed for employers and employees alike. No one wants to work for a TOT, but no one wants to employ one, either.
The TOT Tamer Advice Column is a regular feature on the TOT Blog. I’ll be answering questions on dealing with difficult bosses, navigating office politics, and career changes. Post a comment after any TOT Blog, and I’ll try my best to answer your question. You can also visit our main site at http://www.tameyourtot.com/ to post your question. I welcome any feedback…and your stories!
Best regards,
Lynn
Visit the Tame Your TOT site at http://www.tameyourtot.com/
