Archive for the ‘Workplace’ Category

This article was written several years ago but the message is invaluable, particularly given the stress that presently exists in the workplace.

Who says that work always has to be serious?  Wouldn’t it be rather boring if that’s the way it always was?  Work environments where humor is encouraged tend to be happier, less stressed and more productive.  Incorporating humor into our jobs increases feelings of solidarity and cohesion between co-workers. Humor provides a non-threatening medium through which an employee or employer can communicate with others.

Humor helps us think.  “Taking time out to laugh can help us to get rid of negative feelings and allow us to better concentrate on what we are doing,” says noted psychologist Dr. Ashton Trice of Mary Baldwin College in Virginia.

Appropriate humor in the workplace is a welcome and tasteful surprise.  It is about seeing the humor in everyday situations and having the confidence to laugh at your self.  When you tell a story poking fun at yourself, it portrays you as more human.  Your life experiences are not so unique, it provides comic relief and invites people to be comfortable and see the humor of their own life situations. Read the rest of this entry »

In the world today there is an aura of anxiety invading many work environments. People tend to worry about their jobs, the economy and its impact on their company’s viability. Add to the mix whatever personal stresses one might be experiencing on the home front and the potential for burn out increases.

It is therefore important for you to remain focused on developing your leadership skills. These skills are portable and will sustain you where ever you work.

Consider these 5 strategies for developing your leadership potential. Read the rest of this entry »

There is a phrase “no man is an island.” Quite true, isn’t? In order to live a full and complete life, you need to be able to interact with others. That doesn’t mean you always need to be with people. In fact you might be one of those individuals who requires some alone time in order to replenish your resources. There is no hard and fast rule about how much time you need to spend with people, but to really thrive in life it is important to create great connections with others. Whether it is family, friends or business relationships you want to interact in positive ways.

Here are 5 Winning Habits for Developing Positive Relationships. Read the rest of this entry »

In today’s work world many generations are employed at the same company.  There are often biases and assumptions people have which can create overwhelming conflict that ultimately damages working relationships. “Most intergenerational conflict shares a common point of origin:  the issue of clout – who has it- who wants it.”  People need to work together and utilize everyone’s strengths in order to produce the best product or service. Read the rest of this entry »

Have you ever felt overwhelmed and stressed by all your responsibilities and obligations? You work full time, have a long commute to the office, have children and a partner, parents who are beginning to have health problems and volunteer commitments. Feeling stretched to the breaking point, your mood and health might be negatively impacted. Although there are many conveniences which are supposed to make life easier, if you don’t use them, don’t know how to use them or overuse them, it adds to the chaos you may already be experiencing.

These days many companies expect you to do more with less. You may be worried about how you will manage to do everything you’re required to, particularly with the time lines you have been given. Your own beliefs about a situation can also create stress. Are you a person who likes to have things done a particular way? Do you sometimes think it is just easier to do it yourself, rather than show others how to do it? How do you react if they do it differently and it is just as effective, if not better? Do you become self critical, expecting perfection? Read the rest of this entry »