Sometimes, the more you know about your staff’s personal lives, the harder it is to hold them accountable. In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine discuss how challenging it can be to hold employees responsible for their work product, when you know too much about their challenges outside of work.
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One of the things that can be more difficult to establish when we work remotely or in hybrid situations is a feeling of trust. Because we can’t see each other, it’s harder to verify what is really going on.
In this podcast, Kathi and Katherine examine the qualities of two kinds of work environments: Trustworthy and lacking trust. Join us and see which one you relate to.
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Kathi and Katherine continue with the theme of keeping the peace at work on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
How can you examine your behavior in light of how it affects others?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
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Kathi and Katherine talk about a disappointing new job on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to someone who thought their new job would bring exciting projects, working for someone they respect, only to be disappointed.
Then we discuss why certain managers believe that every new hire should pay their dues.
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Kathi and Katherine talk about asking for help at work on this week’s My Crazy Office Overtime show.
How can you properly ask for help at work?
Listen to this week’s podcast here.
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Kathi and Katherine talk about lying on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to someone whose coworker constantly lies to them.
Then we discuss what a manager should do when they have an employee who lies in the workplace.
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Kathi and Katherine talk about overhearing information on this week’s episode of the My Crazy Office podcast.
First we give advice to an employee grappling with sharing bad news about her boss to her boss.
Then we discuss whether or not you would want to hear bad news about yourself.
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This past Sunday (4/26/2020) Governor Cuomo of New York said, “We are not going back to the way things were, we are going forward.” I have to say I agree with the Governor. Many of my clients are telling me that they see this as an opportunity to do things differently.
Some small business owners want to take their businesses smaller not bigger. Other clients want to continue working from home and no longer want to commute. Several of my clients are saying they want to incorporate real work-life balance — not just pay lip service to it. And some clients are realizing that they need to find a better job/career.
Everyone is thinking about what “moving forward” means. If you aren’t, it’s time to start. We are in a reset. Go inside and listen. Do not disregard your deepest thoughts and feelings; they are telling you something. You are at a point of choice at this time. You can let go of the way you thought work had to be and decide on what is right for you.
What parts of your job/career do you want to move forward? What parts are you unwilling to continue? Consider the following:
Commuting – Maybe you want to work closer to home, or work virtually.
Change industry – If your industry is on hold, you may want to investigate a completely different industry. Maybe you want to go back to school.
Micromanaging boss – This could be a good time to see if you can transfer to another department or find another job.
Doing the work of others – Perhaps you no longer want to compensate for others’ lack of initiative.
Compromising my private life – You may want to establish a hard start and stop time to your workday, creating boundaries around work that protect your private life.
Working with a mean girl/guy – Instead of working with awful people, you may be ready to look for a new position within or outside of your current company
Not getting paid fairly – It may be time to find a position that pays you what you deserve.
Getting rid of troubling employees – Downturns have always been a good time to lay off difficult staff. Perhaps you have some people who could go.
Needing less office space – Going to a more virtual workforce may mean you don’t need as much office space.
Going back to a standard schedule – Instead of returning to your previously regimented work schedule, you may want more flexibility.
Stop eating overpriced unhealthy food – Does your company serve unhealthy, overpriced food at meetings? You may want to bring your own food to work more often.
It’s time for me to not have a boss – You may be ready to start your own business.
Doing work that has no meaning – You may feel that now is the time to make a difference.
Most of us fear change and the unknown. We tend to stay in difficult situations longer then we should for fear of not knowing what better options are available to us. Instead of being scared, embrace change and possibilities. (I know this is easier to say than it is to do.)
During this unusual time, I challenge each of you to examine and come to terms with what you really want to do professionally. Consider your happiness, your purpose, your health, and your legacy.
Kathi Elster – Executive Coach and co-owner of K Squared Enterprises.
Contact us at info@mycrazyoffice.co for any further help around this topic.
Join Kathi and Katherine as they answer real workplace questions with solid advice, and a great sense of humor.
Bestselling authors Katherine and Kathi use humor and a slue of engaging techniques to mediate solutions for individuals at every level of employment — from executives to managers to frontline employees.
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