Tag: interpersonal skills
How to Work Safely with a Boss Who Doesn’t Do Follow-up
Early in my career, a senior leader in my firm was a master of “what-if,” “blue-sky” thinking. He would come up with an idea, assign it to whichever staffer happened to be around at the... Continue reading
How to Deal with a Colleague Who Threatens You
“I won’t oppose you now, but if anything goes wrong, I’ll go toe-to-toe with you.” My colleague was already standing practically toe-to-toe with me — and besides being much taller and stronger than I, he... Continue reading
How to Manage an Employee Who Cries Easily
This article originally appeared on hbr.org. Most managers feel uncomfortable when employees cry during business conversations. Many of us may recall a time we’ve cried at work, but for some people it’s not a rare... Continue reading
How to Survive Being Promoted Past Your Peers
A significant number of employees, supervisors, managers, and even vice presidents find themselves getting promoted and having to figure out how to detach from their old peers as well as how to fit in with... Continue reading
10 Reasons It’s Risky to Be Friends with Your Staff
Clients often ask me how to deal with tricky interpersonal relationships in the workplace. Two of the most challenging situations occur when a leader hires a friend or even the friend of a friend, or... Continue reading
When a Good Thing Triggers a Surprisingly Bad Response
This holiday season I gave a small gift to a local supplier as a token thank you. It was clear from her immediate reaction that she’s not used to receiving client gifts. She started out... Continue reading
Warning! Coaching Won’t Resolve These 5 Problems
Lately, more and more leadership development, employee feedback, and general management is being outsourced from actual business decision-makers to Human Resources business partners and professional coaches. But coaching isn’t necessarily the answer for every employee... Continue reading
Are You Tired of Being Condescended To?
In the past 10 days, three people from different organizations have complained to me about a boss or colleague who’s behaved condescendingly toward them. Not one of the three is a slouch, or a junior... Continue reading