If  you think ignoring negative Nellie or negative Nathan will make them go away, think again! Many negative people don’t even realize they are negative and they can suck the life out of you.

While we are all negative sometimes, there are people who have made it their life’s work. If you are a manager you must confront this behaviour because negativity can cost your organization millions, if not billions, of dollars each year. It can lead to increased turnover, customer complaints, errors, accidents, and illness.

(more…)

If you haven’t read The Power of Nice, it is time to pick up a copy. Authors, Linda Kapan Thaler and Robin Koval have put together a compelling case on how to lower your employee turnover, get a higher productivity level from employees and be healthier, live longer and make more money. What do you have to do? Be nice!

This is a practical book filled with real-life examples that set out a plan for how you can incorporate ‘nice’ into  your daily life. There are also references to research that illustrate that nice people often finish first.

Nice doesn’t mean being wimpy and they even say ‘nice’ is the toughest four letter word you’ll ever encounter. With only 120 pages, you can read it in one sitting and leave with some practical tips to use right away.

From thinking about your body language to using your power as a listener, The Power of Nice is a must read for every leader and employee.

On your next holiday, tuck this little book into the beach bag. Not taking a holiday? The power of nice must start with you being nice to you!

What great book have you read lately? I’d love to hear.

Sometimes as we think back on our past work week we begin to beat ourselves up over what did not accomplish. That nasty little voice in our head says “why couldn’t you get it all done?” or “if you just used your time more wisely you would have been successful.”

Are you asking too much of yourself? Where is your time being spent?

The value of any work week is based on two things:

1. what we accomplished
2. what we have learned (more…)

As I watched the movie, The Blind Side, it made me think about how being kind and compassionate to others, even when it is difficult,  pays you back over and over. The Blind Side is based on the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy, who became an all American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring, spit fire woman and her family.

At first the ‘foster’ relationship is informal however as time progresses each family member’s life is enriched because of their interaction with Michael. Michael had endured so much as a child and yet remained kind and focused. How? His mother, who was a drug addict,  had told him to shut his eyes and not see the bad stuff and know that every day, from that moment on would be better, and to not ever to look back.

(more…)

My coaching client described his boss as a female ‘Simon Legree”  – a real slave driver. As we chatted it became clear he hadn’t told his boss that the demands she was making were unreasonable.

Does your boss expect you to accomplish enormous amounts of work in an incredibly short time? Often slave drivers are overworked themselves so are they begin to dump their work to you.

What can you do?

1. Do not immediately commit to any task when she gives you ‘the newest job.’ Say “Let me check my ‘to do’ list and I will get back to you  – later today, in 15 minutes, tomorrow. “
2. Make a list of all the jobs you have already committed to, along with an estimate of how much time it will take to complete each one.
3. In a positive, helpful manner, approach your boss and show her the list and then ask for her help in prioritizing your tasks. She may say “I want them all done!” and you can say “I wish I could, now which is your top priority?” and then shut up. Let her decide and, as author Susan Scott says, “Let silence do the heavy lifting.” You may hear some grumbling and sputtering however the responsibility is where it belongs – with your boss-  so you can wait. Be pleasant and firm.
4. Once a decision has been made as to where your time is to be spent, thank your boss and leave.
5. Document what your new priorities are and email it back to your boss. Then you will be assured you both have the same expectations.

Rather than getting angry or upset, you will be educating your ‘Simon Legree.’  If you don’t tell your boss what is on your ‘to do’ list and what you are thinking, you can’t expect her to understand. It’s your responsibility.

My coaching client said his boss was initially shocked when he put up some ground rules. He said that at first he had to really plan out what he would say and then to try to keep his emotions out of it. His voice remained dead calm. Now, for the most part, his boss does not just dump things onto him, she will ask what his schedule is like.

Have you ever worked for a Simon Legree? What worked for you?

Bullies are no longer just found on the playground. Workplace bullying is a growing phenomenon.

First one needs to realize it is a problem and learn how to identify a bully. There are some common traits that make the bully stand out from the other difficult people you may encounter.

People often think if they try harder or identify what they are doing wrong this bullying behaviour will stop. While it will work with 95% of people, it won’t work with a bully. New techniques are often needed.

Joan will provide you with some excellent food for thought and techinques to try immediately so you can rid yourslef of hte bully in your life.