I think that honesty is always the best policy at work. If a project isn’t going well, I tell my manager about it. If I make a mistake, I own up to it. But I do sometimes struggle with being honest when I know that my message is going to hurt a coworker’s feelings. Should(…)
If you’re a manager, then you’re probably responsible for providing your team members with feedback – perhaps during annual performance reviews. But it’s also important to ask your team members to provide you with feedback. To be an effective leader, you need to know if you’re providing your team with the tools and information that(…)
Let’s imagine that a problem has cropped up at work and you’re not sure what to do. It would make sense to seek out a knowledgeable coworker and get that person’s advice. But before you do that, here’s something to keep in mind – the way in which you ask for advice can have a(…)
If you’re a manager, you’re probably responsible for providing your employees with feedback. Often this is done during an annual performance review. It’s a part of your job – but that doesn’t mean that it’s easy. In fact, providing feedback can be downright scary. It’s really hard to give people feedback when you have negative(…)
It’s so hard to criticize a coworker or manager. Even if you think that your feedback would be helpful, you’re still saying something negative – and it could easily cause the person to become upset and defensive. But what if it can’t be avoided? Is it possible to deliver constructive criticism without hurting anyone’s feelings?(…)
Do you have coworkers who offer you advice – even if you didn’t ask for it or need it? It can sometimes be helpful. But it can also be annoying. Unsolicited and unwanted advice can feel like criticism. You might feel like your coworkers are getting involved because they don’t have confidence in your work(…)
Managing other people can be a tough job. It’s not unusual to have to deal with difficult situations, and it can sometimes be hard to know what to say. So when you have to give negative feedback or deliver unhappy news, you might find yourself resorting to the use of old tried-and-true phrases like “It’s(…)
Working on projects with clients generally takes tact, diplomacy, good communication skills, a willingness to compromise – and sometimes, a lot of patience. This is especially true when you have clients who have a tendency to be a bit difficult and persnickety. I mean, you want to produce a good product and make your clients(…)
Do you have a boss who is reluctant to give you any feedback? Are you unsure of what your boss thinks of you or your work? If so, you might be feeling a little anxious or uncomfortable. It can sometimes be hard to be happy and productive when you don’t know where you stand. So(…)
The most effective leaders in any organization are those who have mastered the art of coaching. The goal of the coach should be to increase the team’s accountability, clarity, empowerment, problem-solving abilities, self-correction, confidence, integrity, personal growth, and, of course, productivity. To enhance your coaching skills, you may need to eliminate or minimize some common(…)