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5 simple steps to cut workplace frustration

Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk Management

We've all been there: a day filled with looming deadlines, uncooperative team members, and unexpected disasters cropping up. It's easy to let frustration overwhelm you — but if you do, you'll lose control of your perspective, making you susceptible to lashing out at your team, and making you a less productive manager. The good news: science has your back. Use these five simple research-based steps to cut your frustration and regain your perspective:

4 keys to building trust with your project team

Deborah Ike Business Management, Services & Risk Management

When you’re asked to lead a new project, you’re probably also given a team. You may not know these team members, and they’re unfamiliar with you as well. Some might welcome the coordinating efforts of a project manager while others would prefer you stay out of their way. Regardless of these factors, it’s essential to the success of the project that you find a way to work well together. In leading project teams where several team members didn’t care for project management methods, the following actions helped me gain credibility and build trust with the team.

‘Fail’ your way to the top in 2019

Fred Berns Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Make 2019 the year you really get to know "no." Make it the year that you get turned down by more prospects, try and fail to "upsell" more clients, lose out on more bids, miss out on more opportunities, come up short on more proposals, and attempt unsuccessfully to close more deals than ever before. In short, make it the year that you "fail" more. Why? Because only when you put yourself out there more, can you fail more. And only when you put yourself out there more can you succeed more.

Harassment or just being a jerk? Tips to help managers recognize, prevent,…

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

While workplace regulations — even post-#MeToo and in employee-friendly states like California — do a lot to protect employees, there are no regulations against being a jerk. It is frustrating, but there are steps we can take to safeguard our employees and our work environment. The first of which is understanding what behaviors are officially harassment and which are not. Here are a few ways to tell and some tips on what to do about it.

Can an introvert be a good leader?

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Do you think of leaders as outgoing, sometimes larger-than-life individuals who command attention? If so, you may have a hard time seeing an introvert as a good leader. And those misconceptions may be stopping you from promoting some of your best and most talented employees. "It is sometimes incorrectly assumed that an introverted leader cannot be an inspiring public speaker, a strong facilitator, or a tough negotiator," according to Suzanne Vickberg, Ph.D., senior manager of Business Chemistry at The Deloitte Greenhouse Experience.

Taming committee reports at board meetings

Bob Harris and Dana L. Saal Association Management

Committee reports can use up valuable time at board meetings. Directors sit through a litany of reports and updates; the average is 15 to 17 per meeting. Too often they start with, "Our committee didn’t really meet but I can give you an update on how we’re doing…" (There goes another 15 minutes!) Listening to or reading reports is not good governance. Below we have described three ways to tame committee reports at board meetings.

3 of the worst work behaviors and how to beat them

Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk Management

Imagine a workplace where we all said what we meant, kept an open mind and consistently cooperated to advance the organization. It happens, these work environments do exist. However, even in the best environments, some undermining behaviors can sneak in the door. Here are three of the most challenging and some tools to deal with them.

Improve the way your employees see you

Lisa Mulcahy Business Management, Services & Risk Management

As a manager, you try to be fair, clear and helpful to your employees. Yet what's your real reputation as a boss? You might not have a clue as to how your employees truly see you. What's more, you may be making key mistakes that hamper their connection to the person you really are, making you less effective as a supervisor than you ultimately can be. Use these research-driven tips to accurately convey your real personality to your staff — and improve the way you relate to them so they can work better with you.

Workplace dress code: Necessary or outdated?

Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk Management

In 2016, Nicola Thorpe, a London-based temporary receptionist at one of the Big Four accounting firms, gained international attention when she was sent home from work for violating dress code, which required women to wear heels between 2 to 4 inches high. Thorpe started a petition in the U.K., which led to a fierce debate. The dress code came from Thorpe’s temporary employment agency, not the accounting firm. And, the temp agency’s dress code also included other stipulations. This policy was rather extreme, but is it necessary to even have a dress policy?

A new year means a clean slate for governance

Robert C. Harris Association Management

Happy New Year! For some associations the governance-year begins in January. A new board and new year are opportunities for a fresh start. Ideally the legacy of the prior board can be built upon for continued progress. However, the previous board’s reputation might not be so stellar. Dysfunctions may have entered into board processes. Directors might have pushed personal agendas. According to Sam Kuhnert, founder at NubAbility Athletics Foundation, "The New Year is full of opportunity. Don't fear the processes of governance but embrace the chance to improve the organization and its impact in 2019."

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