Why You’re Labeled as Negative (and What to Do about It)

They hired you for your experience and expertise, after all. You’re the one closest to the issue. You’ve been on this project for close to six months. You should be seen as the expert. Instead, you hear through the grapevine after the meeting that your director thinks you’re just negative. You’re “dragging down the team … Continue reading Why You’re Labeled as Negative (and What to Do about It)

Use these Athlete Tips to Work Through Stress

Sports makes a great metaphor for business and for life. In fact, most of our business clichés come from sports, like “winning” or “it’s down to the wire” or “the ball’s in your court.” You may never experience the pressure to perform like a pro athlete on Monday Night Football or in the World Series … Continue reading Use these Athlete Tips to Work Through Stress

2023 is the Year of the Rabbit

The Lunar New Year starts January 22nd, 2023 (Chinese New Year) and ends on February 9th, 2024. 2023 is the year of the Rabbit. The sign of Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture.  Years of the Rabbit include 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, and 1927. People born in a year of the Rabbit are believed to be vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious. Here’s … Continue reading 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit

Three Ways to Get Your Career Jumpstarted in 2023. Tip #1: Get Organized

The new year is the time we make resolutions about almost every aspect of our lives, including our careers. If you’re ready for a fresh start in 2023, here are some ideas to get your career off to a good start. Tip one: Get organized. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed on the job, getting more … Continue reading Three Ways to Get Your Career Jumpstarted in 2023. Tip #1: Get Organized

Keeping Your Cool at Work

“Losing your head in a crisis is a good way to become the crisis.”― C.J. Redwine, Defiance It can happen to anyone. A stressful week, problems at home, the guy who cut you off in traffic, the holiday rush – it can easily add up and make your nerves a little frayed. All it takes is a … Continue reading Keeping Your Cool at Work

Are You Really Sorry?

I’ve counted. About 10 times a day, if I’m out running errands. Some days, it’s the phrase I use often to start sentences when dealing with colleagues, especially those I don’t have a close relationship with. “I’m sorry.” Cross in front of someone browsing in the cereal aisle? I’m sorry. Answering an email an hour … Continue reading Are You Really Sorry?

When Humor Becomes Weaponized

“It was just a joke.” How many times have you witnessed mean and aggressive behavior explained away by that line? Actor Will Smith’s meltdown at the Academy Awards was inexcusable, but it ripped the cover off something we all know: humor, even when used by professionals, can become a weapon. The very things that make … Continue reading When Humor Becomes Weaponized

Monsters in the Workplace

Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I’m focused on spooks, monsters, and things that go bump in the night today. Here are some monsters you might encounter in the workplace even after Halloween. (This is an update of a 2020 post, revenant.) A new scary workplace phenomenon for 2022: Quiet Quitters. I think of them … Continue reading Monsters in the Workplace

Small Things that Feel Big

In a previous post, I wrote about micro expressions – tiny flickers of emotion that tell the truth even when someone would prefer not to. This post is about another small thing that can make a big difference in your relationships. If you haven’t heard the term microaggression before, it’s probably because most people don’t … Continue reading Small Things that Feel Big

How to Change

I know you. In fact, I am you. I, too, have some habits I’d like to change. Some I want to stop and some I want to start. And when I don’t make the changes I know will make my life better, I blame me. BJ Fogg, PhD, founded the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford … Continue reading How to Change