Work

In the heat of new year resolutions, we’re determined to get rid of aspects of life that no longer fit and we’re eager to embrace the new. That energy may make us want to leave a stressful job. But is leaving really a solution?

If you find yourself crumbling under the weight of constant criticism, there are essential perspectives to consider before you respond, and six approaches you could choose to respond in the most constructive manner possible.

Here’s a useful way to unpack the different aspects of communication to ensure you’re not getting your wires crossed. These ideas will help prevent communication blockages in the first place, and help you resolve miscommunications that have already happened.

Having a former team member who reported to you transition into being a manager of equal standing can be a challenging adjustment, as you redefine the relationship. There are 12 things you can do to make the working relationship a success.

Most people experience major change as unsettling. Even if it’s a change for the better and everyone is looking forward to positive outcomes. Good management can mitigate some of the costly, negative impacts of change. If you’re aspiring to good leadership, this is what it looks like at any time.

I have a manager who avoids making decisions, who doesn’t delegate and who’s always out of reach. I can rarely catch her in her office and she doesn’t respond to emails until it’s too late. Consequently, I’m waiting for direction and then I get blamed for not having accomplished my work. It’s affecting my reputation. I’m thinking of leaving, but it sounds bad to blame my manager at interviews. Do you have any strategies for handling her?

I’d love to go for a management position. Everyone is telling me I should; I know I have the experience and knowledge and I’m bored with my current job. I can’t see myself staying at this level. But the next step includes leadership and I have no knowledge or experience of leading people. Sometimes, I’ve tried asking people to do things and they take no notice of me. I’m scared of being thrown into a leadership position and totally failing.

The end of a year is a good time to take stock and plan your career strategy for the year to come. If you think of yourself as a product, and your employer as a customer, it’s easier to understand how you can market yourself so that your management clearly recognises your skills, innate abilities and knowledge and puts you first in line for new opportunities.​

The world changes so quickly these days for us to be safe plodding along on the same path without some kind of growth that increases our choices. I've reinvented myself so many times I've lost track, but it's always expanded my options and has contributed greatly to my professional success and ability to flow with changing market trends.

I’m moving into a leadership position that requires me to think and plan at a higher level. That’s my weakness. How can I learn to think logically?

It’s always best to leave a job on a high note.​

A team operates at peak efficiency only if it has the vital support in place.

A week ago I had a gruelling performance appraisal with a subordinate of mine, who went on full attack of me as a manager.​

My question today is, how do I address the conflict I have between doing and having a job, or being creative? More importantly, if ones 'nine to five' job and the stress it involves interferes with your creative life?

Here are a few tips to ensure you don't allow careless mistakes to ruin your reputation as an educated professional who pays attention to detail.

Question: I am enjoying the Wise Ways newsletters. My question is, the conflict between doing and having a job, or being creative? Or more importantly if one's nine to five job and the stress it involves impinges on your creative life? DH​

I am so keen to practice mindfulness meditation, but my work is so busy, I have no time. When I get home, I have to prepare dinner and then I’m exhausted and forget all about it. My mind won’t stop racing. There’s nothing else I can let go to make room for mindfulness. How do busy people fit it in?

I work for a company that has a contract with a major corporate client. Every couple of years our company has to re-compete in order to renew the contract. I was new to the position, which involves managing many different small projects between me and a counterpart. He managed the majority of projects.

The challenge of any leader is to keep people highly motivated, so that they contribute their best.​

Good leaders conduct good performance appraisal interviews. Bad leaders don't see the need to give staff any feedback.