Sasha Grutzeck

About Sasha Grutzeck

Sasha Grutzeck is a Senior Instructional Designer at Johns Hopkins University. She’s a member of the Learning Solutions department, where she writes and designs e-courses (and other training materials) for Johns Hopkins University faculty and staff. She enjoys learning new things, collaborating with her coworkers, watching movies, taking ridiculously long walks, and eating the leftover baked goods that always seem to miraculously appear in the Learning Solutions kitchen.

Posts by Sasha Grutzeck:

I Don’t Trust You. Now What?

By in Learning, Living Well No Comments Tags:

Distrust

When you’re working with another person on a project, you need to have a certain amount of trust. You need to trust that your coworker will do his or her part, get it done right, and meet necessary deadlines.

But what if you don’t trust a certain coworker? How are you supposed to move forward? Author Paul White offers a few suggestions:

  • First, don’t view trust as something that’s “all or nothing.” Think of it as situational. You might trust your coworker to do certain tasks, but not trust him or her to do other things.
  • Next, try to identify the specific tasks or activities that you don’t trust your coworker to complete. Think about why you don’t trust your coworker to do these things. Is it because your coworker isn’t consistent and doesn’t get work done on time? Does your coworker lack the skills necessary to do certain tasks correctly?
  • Try to determine tasks that your coworker can be trusted to complete (maybe because your coworker is particularly skilled in these areas or because the tasks provide the kind of structure that will help your coworker to get the work done on time). If your coworker does well with these tasks, your trust will build.
  • Try to think of other ways that your coworker could prove his or her trustworthiness, and allow your coworker to take on these challenges.

If you can rebuild your trust, it will benefit you just as much as your coworker. It’s very difficult and stressful to work with someone whom you feel you can’t count on. But if you can find ways to trust your coworker, it will make your job easier – and help you to be happier and more productive.

 

White, P. (2015). Trust and be trusted. Talent Development, 69(11), 88-89.

 

How to Escape a Conversation

By in Communication 1 Comment Tags: ,

Networking

One thing that we’re often expected to do as part of our job is to “network.” We’re expected to socialize with colleagues, meet new people, and form new connections. But it’s a tricky business, especially if you’re an introvert. You need to walk up to strangers and introduce yourself. You need to make intelligent small talk. And finally, you need to elegantly and tactfully end the conversation and move on. This last step can be one of the most difficult parts of the process.

To end a conversation, a lot of people use excuses like, “I need to go refresh my drink” or “I need to use the restroom.” But according to networking professionals, these excuses are pretty terrible. People will often see right through them, and they’ll know that you just want to escape. Or even worse, some people might offer to join you on your trip to the bar or the bathroom – so your escape attempt will be foiled.

So what should you do instead? Networking professionals offers the following suggestions:

  • While you’re talking to the individual, really listen to what he or she is saying. You’re probably only going to be talking for 3 to 5 minutes, so pay attention. The person will notice and appreciate it.
  • When it’s time to wrap things up, be kind and honest. Start by telling the person that you really enjoyed talking to him or her, and summarize what the person said. For instance, you could say, “It was great talking to you. I loved hearing all about your chicken farm!” The person will realize that you’ve been listening and feel good about the conversation. Next, tell the person that you need to move on. For instance, you could say, “Unfortunately, I’d better move on. I promised myself that I would meet at least four new people at this event!”
  • It that’s too much honesty for you, here’s a different approach. Try to find another person at the event that you think might interest the person you’re talking to. Draw this new person into the conversation. This will make it easier for you to extricate yourself.
  • End the conversation with more kindness and honesty. Don’t tell the person, “Let’s get together for a coffee,” unless you really mean it. Instead, say something like, “I hope we meet again soon!” This is truthful, friendly, and noncommittal.

Good luck! Now go mingle!

 

Shellenbarger, S. (2015, December 1). A conversation exit plan. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/a-conversation-exit-plan-1448996491?tesla=y

 

Telling Lies

By in Communication, Language No Comments Tags: ,

Lying

We all know that lying is bad and wrong. You should never lie to your coworkers! Or should you?

Well, it kind of depends on what type of lie you’re telling. Psychologist Robin Dunbar of Oxford University has found that certain types of lies can actually strengthen the bonds between coworkers and be good for business.

Basically, there are two types of lies:

  • Anti-social lies – These are the kind of lies that people tell to cover up an embarrassing mistake, get out of doing an unpleasant task, avoid blame, or gain power and prestige. It includes things like boasting, exaggerating, unfairly blaming someone for a problem, and spreading malicious gossip.
  • Pro-social lies (also known as “white lies”) – These are the kind of lies that people tell to spare other people’s feelings, protect others, or make other people feel good about themselves. For instance, you might tell someone who is struggling with a project that you’re impressed with the effort that he or she has made so far. Or you might ask how the project is going and act like you’re interested (even if you’re not) because you know the person needs to vent about it. In these instances, you’re not being honest – but you are being kind.

Anti-social lies can cause untold amounts of damage to a company. They fracture relationships, erode trust, and weaken morale. But pro-social lies can actually be beneficial! They can strengthen relationships, improve teamwork, and help to make the office a friendlier, more supportive place.

So go ahead and tell a pro-social lie now and then. It can a have lasting, positive effect. And even if you’re not being entirely truthful, it will probably be appreciated!

 

Goman, C. K. (2014, July 29). Research finds that (some) lies are good for workplace relationships. Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2014/07/29/research-finds-that-some-lies-are-good-for-workplace-relationships/

 

How to Be Incredibly Likeable at Work

By in Communication, Learning No Comments Tags:

LikeableGuy1

A lot of people believe that likeability is something that you’re either born with or you’re not. They believe that it’s based on how attractive, intelligent, and outgoing you are – all qualities that are determined largely by genetics and can be difficult to alter.

But actually, research indicates that this isn’t the case. Likeability isn’t something that you’re born with. It’s something that you can learn, develop, and enhance. It’s true that attractive, intelligent, outgoing people are appealing. But research has shown that people find qualities like honesty, sincerity, and empathy to be even more likeable. These are qualities that you can adopt – although it may require a shift in your mindset and a little effort.

But hey – it’s worth the effort! Being likeable at work is a wonderful thing. Likeable people have an easier time collaborating with others. They’re more effective and productive. And they make the office a friendlier and more harmonious place to be.

So what do you need to do to become more likeable at work? Well, author Travis Bradberry suggests that you adopt the following behaviors:

  1. Ask questions – When you ask people questions, it shows them that you’re really listening and interested in what they’re saying. Just make sure that you ask clarifying questions (“How did you feel when that happened?”) and not challenging questions (“Are you crazy?”).
  2. Put away your phone – When you’re having a conversation with someone, you should really focus on that person. Even a quick glance at your phone suggests that you’re not really interested in what the person is saying.
  3. Be honest – Don’t try to impress people by putting on an act or trying to be something that you’re not. Instead, be honest and genuine. It’s a really appealing quality!
  4. Keep an open mind – Try not to let your own attitudes, feelings, and beliefs distract you from what other people are saying. If you can keep an open mind, people will feel more comfortable talking to you and sharing their ideas.
  5. Don’t seek attention – It’s great to get noticed and receive praise, but if you’re desperate to get it, this can sometimes be a little off-putting.
  6. Be consistent – Even if you’re having a lousy day, don’t take it out on your coworkers. No matter what, try to be kind and polite.
  7. Use the right body language – We communicate a lot through our expressions, posture, and gestures. So make eye contact, lean forward when someone is talking, don’t cross your arms, and speak with an enthusiastic tone. It will work wonders!
  8. Use people’s names – Research has shown that people really like it when others refer to them by name during a conversation. So use peoples’ names when you greet them, and continue to use their names occasionally as you talk. This simple habit will increase your appeal!
  9. Know when to open up – It’s great to be honest with other people about what you’re thinking and what’s going on in your life. But wait until you have a solid relationship before you start sharing personal information.
  10. Smile – If you smile when you’re talking to other people, they will most likely mirror your behavior and smile back. This will make them feel happy – and more positive about you!

So there you have it. Do these things, and you’ll be well on your way to being incredibly, irresistibly likeable!

 

Bradberry, T. (2015, January 27). 13 habits of exceptionally likeable people. Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/travisbradberry/2015/01/27/13-habits-of-exceptionally-likeable-people/

 

Be Humble

By in Leadership, Learning No Comments Tags: , ,

HappyGroup

At some point in your life, I’m sure that someone told you that it’s important to promote yourself. You need to tell people about all the great things you’ve accomplished! You need to emphasize the positives and hide the negatives! That’s the way to be successful, right?

Well, not necessarily. In recent years, aggressive self-promotion has started to fall out of favor. It turns out that it may be much more effective to be humble, especially if you’re in a leadership position.

Humble leaders have been found to be better listeners and collaborators. They’re more willing to admit their mistakes, and learn from those mistakes. They’re more willing to share their success with the people who helped them achieve it. They’re also better at collaborating with others and empowering others to take the lead.

But in order to be effective, you have to commit to it! If you fake it, people will notice. And there’s this thing known as the “humblebrag” that you want to avoid at all costs. This is when you sound like you’re putting yourself down, but you’re actually bragging and promoting yourself. For instance:

  • Marsha: How was your evening?
  • Bob: Oh, it was exhausting. I’m terrible at taking care of myself! I put in so many hours working on the new project, I forgot to eat!

Bob is humblebragging, and he’s not fooling anyone. Humblebragging is obvious and annoying. There’s nothing humble about it.

So remember, acting like you’re humble isn’t enough. You really need to put it into practice. Admit your mistakes, recognize your shortcomings, be open to opinions and ideas that differ from your own, give others credit when credit is due, and be honest. It takes courage to be humble, but it’s worth the risk.

 

Lublin, J. S. (2015, October 20). The case for humble executives. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-case-for-humble-executives-1445385076?tesla=y

Prime, J., & Salib, E. (2014, May 12). The best leaders are humble leaders. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2014/05/the-best-leaders-are-humble-leaders

 

Wash the Dishes — You’ll Feel Better

By in Living Well No Comments Tags: ,

DishesInSink

Feeling stressed at work? Not sure what you should do to relax? Well, here’s your answer. Go wash some dishes in your office kitchen.

A recent study suggests that washing dishes can be a relaxing experience – but only if you do it the right way. Here’s what researchers found:

  • Study participants who focused on the sensory aspects of the experience (including the slippery feel of the dishes, the smell of the soap, the warmth of the water, etc.) felt less nervous and more inspired after completing the task.
  • Study participants who only focused on washing the dishes properly experienced no change. If they were feeling lousy before washing the dishes, they felt just as lousy afterwards.

So go ahead and wash those dishes that your coworkers left in the sink! Just make sure you do it the right way. Take your time and really enjoy the soapy experience!

 

Lukits, A. (2015, September 29). Wash the Dishes While You Cleanse Your Mind. The Wall Street Journal, p. D4.

 

 

Spell It Out – Avoiding Miscommunication at the Office

By in Communication No Comments Tags: ,

Miscommunication

No matter how good people are at communicating with their coworkers, misunderstandings still happen on occasion. And it may lead people to say things like this:

  • I thought it was obvious.
  • It goes without saying.
  • I didn’t know I needed to spell things out.

These miscommunications result from what psychologists call “signal amplification bias.” Basically, we have a tendency to believe that we’ve provided more information than we actually have. We believe we’ve communicated all the necessary details when we actually haven’t.

This is especially true when we’re working with people that we know and have worked with before. We expect these people to know what we’re thinking, anticipate our needs, understand our goals, and read between the lines. Unfortunately, this can often be difficult – even for coworkers who have a long history of working together.

Another problem is jargon. If you tell someone to “circle back to you,” you might believe that you’re being perfectly clear about what you want. But phrases like these can be interpreted in different ways and misunderstandings can often result.

So what’s the solution? Try to avoid the jargon, take the time to spell things out, ask for what you want clearly, and provide all the details. It might seem a little tedious and time consuming, but it’s necessary. It’s the best way to avoid frustrating miscommunications. And if you’re clear about what you want, you’ll be more likely to get it!

 

Halvorson, H. G. (2011, September 29). Too much miscommunication at work? A simple fix. Forbes. Retrieved from: http://www.forbes.com/sites/heidigranthalvorson/2011/09/29/too-much-miscommunication-at-work-a-simple-fix/

 

Hugging at Work – A Touchy Subject

By in University Culture No Comments Tags:

Hugging

Some people are huggers and some people aren’t. And then there are people like me who fall somewhere in between.

I don’t do a lot of hugging at work. I probably wouldn’t initiate a hug with a coworker or run up to a coworker with my arms outstretched. But if one of my coworkers feels like hugging me, I don’t complain. I actually like a hug, now and then.

But not everyone feels the same way. Some people just don’t like to be hugged, and that’s OK! The problem is that hugging at the office can sometimes be hard to avoid. It’s a pretty common practice, and people who enjoy hugging can be very determined.

So if you’re not a hugger, what should you do? Well, research psychologist Peggy Drexler offers these suggestions on how to ward off a hug:

  • Keep an object (like a coffee mug or a notebook) between you and the hugger.
  • Be very direct and explain that you’re not a hugger.
  • Before the hugger can hug you, sideline the person by firmly shaking his or her hand.
  • Act like you have somewhere else that you urgently need to be.
  • Drop your cell phone.

And if you ARE a hugger, keep this simple guideline in mind: If you’d like to hug a coworker, but you’re not entirely sure it would be appropriate, it’s probably not appropriate. When in doubt, don’t hug!

 

A New Rule for the Workplace: Hug Sparingly. (2014, January 11). In NPR. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2014/01/11/261467123/a-new-rule-for-the-workplace-hug-sparingly#

 

Four Ways to Boost Your Energy at Work

By in Living Well 1 Comment Tags: ,

TiredWorker

Work can be tiring. Even if you love your job, it can sometimes be difficult to stay energized throughout the day. So what should you do if you start to feel sleepy or sluggish? Well, you could drink a big cup of coffee. (I suspect that’s what most people do.) But you do have other options! Here are four of them:

  1. Take a break – Research has shown that people work more quickly and accurately if they take several short breaks throughout the day. So look away from your computer, stand up, and move around. You’ll feel better and get more done!
  2. Have a snack – Try to avoid sweets. They’ll give you a quick burst of energy, but it will die off quickly. Instead, choose a snack that’s high in protein and fiber. Good choices include things like string cheese with whole-grain crackers, an apple with peanut butter, or trail mix.
  3. Go for a walk – Taking a short, 10-minute walk can make you feel more energized, positive, and alert. If you can walk outside and get some fresh air, that’s even better.
  4. Take steps to reduce your stress – Stress is exhausting. So if you can, try to take steps to reduce it or remove it. You’ll have more energy – and be happier too!

If you have any other tips on how to stay mentally alert and energized during the workday, please share them in the Comments section below!

 

Fields, L. (2015, July 24). 6 quick ways to boost energy. WebMD. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/women/features/fatigue-fighters-six-quick-ways-boost-energy

 

Do You Follow the Rules?

By in Learning No Comments Tags: ,

Rules

There is a long-held belief that there are two types of people in the world: rule followers and rule breakers. I’m not sure whether people actually fit neatly into these categories. But I do think that people have a tendency to lean one way or the other.

One type isn’t better than the other. They can both have good and bad qualities:

Rule followers

  • The Good – They tend to be careful, detail-oriented, committed, and diligent.
  • The Bad – They can also be stubborn, unimaginative, and inflexible.

Rule breakers

  • The Good – They tend to be adaptable, independent, and good at looking things from different angles.
  • The Bad – They can also be disorganized, rebellious, and bad with details.

I’m definitely a rule follower. My parents are rule breakers. So when I was a kid, this would occasionally lead to conflict – especially on family vacations. When we went to the ocean, my parents always seemed weirdly determined to walk down piers and across beaches marked “Private. No Trespassing.” And they always seemed equally determined to drag me along with them, even though I didn’t want to go.

So yes – there can be conflict between rule followers and rule breakers. And this can be especially true in the workplace. Rule followers and rule breakers have different ways of doing things and getting things done. Occasionally, this can lead to annoyance and frustration.

In order to achieve workplace harmony, it might seem logical to only hire rule followers or rule breakers. But actually, this would be a terrible idea. You need both types of people on staff to have a successful, productive workplace. Both rule followers and rule breakers possess valuable, unique, and necessary skills.

  • Rule followers are great at keeping people on track. They can be counted on to complete their tasks correctly, work diligently, and get things done on time.
  • Rule breakers are essential when, for some reason, normal processes cannot be followed. When an unexpected change occurs, they can figure out new ways of getting things done. They can also help to modify or eliminate rules that are detrimental or no longer make sense.

So whatever category you fall into, remember that you’re an essential part of the team. Be proud of what you are, and try to understand and adapt to your coworkers’ ways of doing things – even if they don’t follow or break the rules like you do.

Bartlettcc. (2014, November 10). Breaking the rules. Bartlett Consulting, Inc. Retrieved from http://bartlettconsultinginc.com/rule-breakers-can-they-be-good-for-your-business/

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