Office Politics: Survival of the Savvy

Tales of political sabotage, power plays and turf wars are part of any organization’s history. Nonetheless, political competence is the one skill everyone wishes to have more of—but no one admits to it....

Working for Corporate Aliens

Working for Corporate Aliens can be a really challenging experience. Here are some tips on how to survive and keep your sanity.

Listening is Priceless: 5 Goals for Effective Listening

Think of how many times you have misinterpreted instructions, heard a problem incorrectly, or missed out on business opportunities. Poor listening can lead to challenges in relationships, lack of credibility, lost contacts, inaccurate reporting, rework, dissatisfied customers and lowered productivity.

Using Wireless Headsets In An Office Environment

Using wireless headsets in office and home office environments.

The High Cost of Poor Listening

There are no shortcuts to becoming a great listener and the price tag for poor listening is high. Listening well can cut down on misunderstandings, miscues, damaged relationships, missed opportunity and disagreements while building strong alliances, increasing knowledge and delivering better results faster.

Cross-Cultural Communication Lessons From The Academy Award Winner CRASH

Were you emotionally affected, disturbed, or provoked by the movie CRASH? Two diversity experts explore how to take unconscious fears and unspoken prejudices and turn them into positive actions.

Managing Conflict In The Workplace

Employees Who Don't Get Along? Here's How To Manage Conflict In The Workplace...

Attitude In The Workplace: How Your Work Attitude Can Define You

Your attitude in the workplace can be one of the most - if not the most - telling aspect of how others in the company look at you and feel about you as a coworker. Like many things in life, a first impression

Building Loyalty By Talking

Without providing regular, safe sounding off sessions with your employees, you could be losing your employees' loyalty and possibly your employees' employment.

More on Difficult Discussions at Work: Planning Your Approach

There's a lot to think about when you need to initiate a difficult interaction -- the kind of discussion that is required when a colleague is taking credit for your ideas, is not delivering on their part or is just plain making you look bad.

Communications: I Never Seem To Say It Right

The ability to effectively communicate with employees is key to the success of the manager and the organization. Clear, concise communication, delivered with understanding, honesty and often empathy, can make the difference between whether the manager’s message is received or not. When dealing with a difficult situation with an employee, whether it is a coaching session or a performance appraisal interview, the words the manager chooses and the manner in which the message is delivered make a tremendous difference.

Performance Appraisals

Appraising the performance of individuals, groups and organizations is a common practice of all societies. While in some instances the appraisal processes are structured and formally sanctioned, in other instances they are an informal and integral part of daily activities. Thus teachers evaluate the performance of students, bankers evaluate the problem of creditors, and all of us, consciously or unconsciously, evaluate our own actions from time to time.

Employee Incentive Programs

Every employee has certain expectations that he thinks must be fulfilled by the organization. When the organization fails to meet his expectations, he develops a feeling of discontent or dissatisfaction. This feeling is a grievance. Grievances are caused due to the differences between employee expectations and management practices. In the democratic style of management, it is accepted that employees should be able to express the dissatisfaction whether it be a minor irritation, a serious problem or a difference of opinion with the supervisor over terms and conditions of employment. There must be an accepted grievance procedure to ventilate the dissatisfaction.