Blog Archives
Zip Your Lips?
Wouldn’t we all love to work at a place where we could be ourselves? Where we felt free to speak our minds? Where our unique strengths, experiences, and insights would be a valuable asset?
Well, for most of us it’s not gonna happen, at least not anytime in the near future.
Although self-expression has been shown to decrease turnover and increase productivity and job satisfaction, building an environment where workers can be authentic isn’t on the corporate radar screen just yet. There’s still a mold and workers are expected to wiggle their way into it, no matter how awkward the fit.
Here’s the good news- it doesn’t really matter.
A joint study between the University of Houston and the University of Greenwich found that the freedom to express thoughts and feelings at work had no impact on the participant’s overall sense of well-being. While being authentic around loved ones has a significant positive benefit, zippering the lips at work has no impact, positive or negative.
So here’s another reminder to focus on the things and people dearest to you and let the rest go. Just think how much more time you’ll have to develop your “unique style and spirit”, as Fee encourages. Or, as our friend Mary Jackson Lee suggests, “Do the one thing that you are sure you cannot.” And maybe in between, put together a fabulous outfit or two!
Love,
Becky
Are you authentic at work? How do you balance honoring your beliefs with fitting into the corporate mold?
Sources & Resources- click on any of the links below for more information!
Vanessa Wong, It Doesn’t Pay to Be Yourself at Work.
huffingtonpost.com, Workplace Authenticity: Hiding Who You Are At Work Linked With Lower Job Satisfaction.
Murray Wardrop, Being yourself at work is not good for your career, study claims.
Get Along Famously With Your Boss
How many times have you heard:
My boss is a complete idiot!
He has no idea what he’s doing!
He’s completely out of touch!
He doesn’t understand my needs!
Or even said or thought these things yourself? I know I have, hopefully not within earshot. It’s so easy sit in the back seat and think, “I could do a way better job if I was in his position.”
While this may be true and your boss might very well be a colossal idiot, he’s still your boss. For most of us it’s necessary to stay somewhere in the neighborhood of his good side.
So how do you learn to get along with Mr. Personality? Experts suggest the following tactics:
Build a relationship of trust-
- Meet your deadlines
- Keep your word
- Never lie to cover mistakes
These simple acts are the critical foundation on which an effective work relationship is built. Over time, the relationship may grow into one of mutual respect.
Accept. Try to accept your boss for who he is instead of trying to transform him into your idea of the perfect supervisor. His management style has been years in the making and is unlikely to change any time soon. Acceptance will alleviate a lot of tension and allow you to focus on the positive. If you are willing to see it, most people have at least a couple of likeable qualities.
Listen. It is likely that your boss got to his position because he exhibited excellence in management ability or job performance. There is much you can learn from his style, even if you disagree with some of his choices.
And my very favorite (and most challenging for me personally)…drum roll please…
Assume the best. If you find yourself stressing over your boss’s behavior, shift your thinking and assume the BEST. Maybe he actually knows what he’s doing. Maybe he has more to consider than just you. Maybe the doesn’t think you’re such a bad employee after all. Replacing your negative thinking with positive thoughts just might change your mood and eventually your relationship!
Sources & Resources- click on any of the links below for more information!
Heytom.net, Get Answers to Those Nagging Questions.
Scott Reeves (forbes.com), How to Work For a Complete Idiot.
Have a secret for dealing with an impossible boss? We’d love it if you’d share!
