Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
How to Master “Matrix Boss Madness”
24February 2011
Matrix management – where supervisors with related skills are pooled for a more productive project outcome – can actually create a lot of chaos for you if not orchestrated well. In my recent article on PsychologyToday.com, I show how you can take action in mitigating some of the madness.
As we emerge from fuzzy job descriptions where responsibilities haphazardly crossed over each other during the recession – to a gradual recovery – some supervisors may be looking to aggressively take you under their wing. Consequently, you may be at a loss as to whom to please and when.
Therein lies the opportunity for you, the employee, to stop your supervisors from tripping over each another to manage you - so that you can produce results. It’s empowering, and a valued, long-term career tool.
To learn how to spot the signs of Matrix Boss Madness and develop Matrix Mastery, check out the complete article on PsychologyToday.com.
Turn Yourself into an Office Diplomat
18February 2011
I always emphasize the importance of interpersonal skills. As I mention in my book, Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant, the ability to understand your fellow co-worker and maintain open communication is the basis for humanizing the workplace.
I recently addressed this issue in my article for BusinessWeek.com where I discuss “office diplomacy.” We’ve all observed managers with a knack for making people feel included, gently persuading others to cooperate, and generally inspiring others. Today’s most sought-after leaders never stopped displaying these qualities during the recession. Poise, transparency, and tact will also help any job seeker. In the article I offer suggestions on how to handle office relations, keep communication clear and to the point and make good impression at job interviews.
Read more on how to be an “office diplomat” on BusinessWeek.com.
Acing a Job Interview: The Art of Proper Follow-Up
5February 2011
Often a job interview is like playing poker - you have to know how much to reveal, how much to conceal, and when to call for all cards on the table. If you play your hand right, the game is yours. But what to do when you’re across the table from an interviewer with the world’s best poker face?
You can succeed at the interview game if you’re good at reading people. You’ll need to decide how much or how little communication is right with the particular hiring manager, time your moves perfectly and watch for signals and the feedback you’re getting, or not getting.
With good interpersonal skills and an upbeat approach you can beat the odds in the interview game. But like in everything else, there are some dos and don’ts to remember. I offer tips on how to excel at “job interview poker” in my Psychology Today article.
Coping With Difficult Bosses
30October 2010
A recent article on Monster+HotJobs.com titled Coping With 5 Boss Personality Types discusses five major boss types that aren’t easy to deal with (hence the need to cope). For each boss trait, the author cites advice from a number of experts, including myself. In my book Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant I give a bit different “boss classification” but I do like the way major personality types are represented in the article by recognizable movie and TV characters.
For example, for dealing with the Narcissistic Boss (a.k.a. Miranda Priestly, “The Devil Wears Prada”) the article very fittingly offers my “C.A.L.M.” method (Communicate, Anticipate, Laugh, and Manage Up):
“Communicate frequently, honestly, and regularly with aggressive bosses, so you understand what’s behind all the blustering. Anticipate problems before they occur or become more stressful (don’t encourage a tantrum with bad timing, either). Laugh: A little levity goes a long way when tensions are running high. Manage up by being a role model of good behavior, using positive and negative reinforcement as you would with a child.”
The article ends with a somewhat alarming revelation: when asked to characterize their boss in terms of a TV or movie character (the villain, the hero, the comic relief, the mentor, the oddball, the heartthrob, or a bit part) 41 percent of the poll participants said that their boss was the villain. And if you find yourself working with a “villain,” what is more important than developing some good coping skills?
MSN Careerbuilder: How to Call in a Favor at Work
26September 2010
MSN Careerbuilder recently ran an article by Danny Goldin, titled How to Call in a Favor at Work. It deals with those situations when the daily grind becomes a bit too much. The article recognizes that although we may be reluctant to ask other people for help, each of us may have to do it from time to time – no arguing about that. What’s important, the author says, is how you ask.
“People never want to be known as the office pest, causing their co-workers to duck for cover when they approach. To ensure that this fate isn’t bestowed upon you, Lynn Taylor, a nationally-recognized workplace expert and CEO of Lynn Taylor Consulting, provides a few pointers.”
My recommendations, in short, are as follows:
• Make sure you are not asking too much.
• Timing is everything – “Is it a good time?”
• It’s a two-way street, so offer something in return.
The article quotes other experts offering an insight that I couldn’t agree more with: it’s important to use your interpersonal skills when you approach someone for a favor; you have to consider who is that person – for example, their age – and what’s the nature of your relationship with them. Then you shape your request to fit the situation.
In conclusion, the article offers another bit of advice from yours truly:
“Don’t forget to thank them, if possible, publicly,” Taylor says. “It won’t hurt to thank them immediately for saying ‘yes,’ and later when the event happens. A formal thank you in the form of a note or e-mail is also welcomed because it’s more visible and in black and white. It demonstrates more thought than just a phone call.”
So, never hesitate to ask for help when you really need it. And by doing it just right, not only you are able to achieve more, you are also sharing success with your co-worker and building a better, more collaborative workplace.
