By Lynne Curry The manager called me, completely frustrated with his team. He told me his employees were negative, blamed each other for problems, didn’t communicate with him or take accountability and didn’t buy in to important initiatives. He asked me to talk with his key employees and tell me how to fix them. When I met with him afterwards, I asked, “How honest do you want … [Read more...] about Negative staff: Is the problem you?
Your career
Healthcare job boom seen by 2030
The most lucrative job of 2030 will be registered nursing, with a projected job growth of 15 percent in the next decade. Writing for Allwork, Daniel Lehewych says success in the future of work will be determined by how much workers are willing to expand their skill set. Software development will be the most lucrative STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) job by … [Read more...] about Healthcare job boom seen by 2030
Stopping a bully senior manager without losing your job
By Lynne Curry Question: I face a situation that has no easy answer and no good solution. As the newly hired human resources director, I supposedly enforce our organization's code of conduct and oversee the human resource issues. I report to the report to the chief operating officer, a bully who runs roughshod over any employee unlucky enough to cross his path. If I keep my … [Read more...] about Stopping a bully senior manager without losing your job
5 ways to say goodbye to the procrastination blues
By Lynne Curry The report’s good, but not good enough. You should have worked on it a week ago, but you put it off. Friday afternoon, you panicked. You killed a perfectly good weekend to get everything finished by the Monday morning due date. If you want to break the “put it off until nearly too late” habit, try these five strategies. 1. Decide you’ll start projects when you … [Read more...] about 5 ways to say goodbye to the procrastination blues
Carve out some calm amid the chaos
With the demands of your job as a manager in the stressed healthcare sector, worries about world upheaval, and your own personal challenges outside work, life is stressful. Executive leadership coach Hortense le Gentil says you need to reclaim some mental space to make room for your intuition. Here's her advice: Let your brain take a break! Breaks allow you to check in with … [Read more...] about Carve out some calm amid the chaos
Beware the Bermuda Triangle of workplace conflicts
By Lynne Curry We don’t always understand why we react to some people, nor they to us. Or why otherwise talented employees and supervisors get tangled in interpersonal messes that create toxic work environments. Over the years, when I’ve helped clients fix workplace conflicts, I’ve discovered some of the most challenging conflicts stem from drama triangle collisions. Like the … [Read more...] about Beware the Bermuda Triangle of workplace conflicts
Own your piece of the action
By Lynne Curry “It wasn’t my fault. I blew up because I had the worst day.” “Anyone would have reacted the way I did.” When you lose your temper, shut down, or behave badly in other ways, you may feel tempted to rationalize your behavior. It can feel right to pin responsibility for your reactions on the other person or to attribute them to the situation. When you do, you … [Read more...] about Own your piece of the action
5 steps to take after you lose out on a promotion
By Lynne Curry You put your blood, sweat and heart into your job and this office. When a promotion came open, you thought it was yours. Except it wasn’t—you were passed over. If this has happened and you want the next promotion, or simply to be able to stand remaining in your job and at this office, take these five steps. Use your upset You can use your upset or be used … [Read more...] about 5 steps to take after you lose out on a promotion
Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
By Lynne Curry It’s easy to give an excuse for not listening. You don’t have time; the speaker rambles or bores you. You already know what you’re about to hear. It’s harder to admit you’re a poor listener—isn’t listening something we do all the time? No. The opposite proves true. Most of us find it hard to listen to someone who has something to say we don’t want to hear. We … [Read more...] about Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
Potential for disaster when you serve on a volunteer board
By Lynne Curry Sometimes you take on work for which you aren’t paid—because it matters, or because you’ve been talked into it. Perhaps you serve on the board of a non-profit healthcare corporation, offering your experience and knowledge as a medical office manager. Possibly you run for your condo association’s board of directors because you want some control over the … [Read more...] about Potential for disaster when you serve on a volunteer board