Working on teams can be frustrating. There may be times when you feel that things should be done in a certain way, but you can’t get a coworker to go along with your plan. When this happens, you might be tempted to try to manipulate your coworker into doing what you want. Of course, this(…)
Cohesive teams are groups of people who are willing to work together towards a common goal. They combine their talents, so they’re more skilled, competent, and effective than they would be alone. They trust each other, they’re committed to supporting the group effort, and they resolve conflicts quickly. And the members of cohesive teams tend(…)
Words are powerful. They can tear another person down in an instant. That’s why it’s so important to choose your words carefully when you’re at work, and to always think before you speak. Honest communication is essential at the office. Teams can’t function without it. But it’s equally important to present your thoughts and ideas(…)
Work can sometimes be stressful and frustrating. Even on the most cohesive teams, there can be conflict. And that’s when people can sometimes say passive-aggressive things. Passive-aggressive comments convey anger, and can cause friction to develop between coworkers. So, of course, you should avoid saying passive-aggressive things. Even if you’re feeling frustrated, it’s important(…)
When you’re going to be away from your desk for an extended period of time during regular business hours (and you won’t be responding to emails), you should set up an out-of-office message. An out-of-office message is an auto-reply email that lets people know that you’re away. They help to keep people informed, and ensure(…)
When the pandemic started and employees were sent home to work, no one knew what effect this would have on the quality and quantity of work that was produced. But according to a recent survey of 100 executives by McKinsey & Company (conducted between December 2020 and January 2021), it appears that productivity and employee(…)
It’s sometimes really hard to know what to say to a coworker who is obviously upset about something. You want to help that person to feel better, but you might also be afraid of saying the wrong thing. Author Deborah Grayson Riegel recommends that you avoid telling the person how they should be feeling. For(…)
You work hard at your job. You want to be productive and effective. And in order to be productive and effective, it’s important for your manager and coworkers to have confidence in your work, and trust you to get it done right. But according to author John Brandon, there are four mistakes that you can(…)
If you’re a manager, it may be common practice for you to email one of your team members and say “I need you to do this task/project.” But according to author Monica Torres, this isn’t the best approach. When you say “I need you to do this task,” it can come across as abrupt. In(…)
Have you ever had a coworker come to you with an idea that they think is wonderful and amazing – and you absolutely hate it? What should you say to your excited coworker? How can you tell them that their idea is trash without coming across as short-sighted and mean? Well, if you’ve ever been(…)