They're out there? they look like people you know, but they're different. Someone has sucked out their brains and turned them into mindless oafs. They are dangers to society, dangers to your work environment, and dangers to themselves. But the most troubling fact is that they are in charge! They are making business decisions that affect your livelihood and you don't know what to do. Help is here!
Normally, when things go crazy most people turn to their supervisors or managers. But what do you do when the problem and the first source for assistance are one in the same?
1. Check your emotions. Emotional responses seldom solve problems. Locate a co-worker (a sane one, if possible) and vent your emotions. Redirecting your anger or frustration away from the person who can terminate your employment is a wise thing to do.
2. Sort out the details. List the issues you are facing and prioritize the list from most important to least important. Then work from the bottom of the list eliminating issues that aren't worth the fight. Ask, "Is fighting for this issue worth the potential consequences, such as jeopardizing my job?" If the answer is not a resounding, "YES!" eliminate the issue.
3. Organize your thoughts. Once you have identified the critical issues, get a pad of sticky notes and begin to write individual thoughts pertaining to each issue. Then organize the thoughts under each issue from strongest to weakest. Eliminate any statements that cannot be substantiated. What you want are straight-forward statements that lead to a solution. Building your case on assumptions and hearsay will be more destructive than constructive.
4. Rehearse your argument. Some thoughts are difficult to communicate, so practice saying what you intend to say. You might discover that your argument is clear in your head but stated in a confusing way. Enlist a neutral party to listen to your statements and to provide feedback or ask for clarification.
5. Be positive. A full frontal attack will put most anyone on the defensive, so approach the conversation with respect and a positive attitude. In addition to identifying the problem, offer to be a part of the solution. Ask for the privilege of helping develop a solution to the problem. A positive attitude will keep the conversation calm and prevent emotion from overtaking the thought process in which you engaged.
6. Accept the outcome. Realize up front that things might not go your way. Be satisfied with your effort to offer a solution. You can't control how other people respond; you can only control your reaction--and that can be a struggle sometimes! Many managers need time for suggestions to simmer. You might be surprised to see your suggestions incorporated into a future action.
7. Maintain confidentiality. One of the worst things you can do is leave the meeting and start telling everyone what took place. Show respect for your manager and your employer even if it requires biting your tongue. If you are so miserable that all you can do is complain, do everyone a favor and find another job! If you're the type of person who demands your way, chances are you'll find something wrong with every job and every boss!
There's no doubt that we find ourselves in frustrating situations having to implement plans that seem doomed from the start. Sometimes we reject ideas because of our disrespect for the person who generated the idea. We need to make sure that the person in the mirror isn't the real problem! Think about it!
Dr. Terry Hadaway is an author, editor, university professor, and conference leader. He is the author of 30 Seconds to Chaos: Mastering the Art of "What If" Thinking, and numerous articles. His is considered by many to be a leading authority on adult education and is a gifted communicator. For more information visit http://www.thinkezine.com.
cleaning team near Winnetka ..I was playing tennis today with one of my tennis... Read More
Improving this single attitude makes your days fly by. You... Read More
The quality of your life is directly related to your... Read More
Never used 'em. Not likely to start now.OK, so I... Read More
Gail's StoryGail is a friend of mine and she was... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether... Read More
Dear Friends,All human beings have a unique ability right from... Read More
As a being of thought, your dominant mental attitude will... Read More
The late Norman Vincent Peale was a controversial preacher who... Read More
You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
Empty, Hollow, Nothing?.those words shout the sound of disappointment and... Read More
"Every prayer - every thought, every statement, every feeling -is... Read More
INNER CRITIC UNVEILED! Part 2: AFFIRMATIONS TO THE RESCUE!"Almost everybody... Read More
Why do we help others? There is a whole lot... Read More
As a trainer of coaches I often teach my students... Read More
Every day something changes at work: your products, your customers,... Read More
We have often missed the mark because we believe we... Read More
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.... Read More
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More
The image you hold of yourself determines your success or... Read More
I need your help. I did a good deed recently,... Read More
Humans tend to categorize things by large or small, bright... Read More
Lately, there has been a collective challenge to avoid being... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Northbrook ..Drinking damages the soul; being lustful damages the vitality; greed... Read More
Imagine the what you could achieve if:You were 100 %... Read More
WE ARE ALL THINKING ALL OF THE TIME.Can you believe... Read More
In speaking of comparison we need to be aware that... Read More
Remember Des'ree? She had a great song out in 1994,... Read More
I'm a working mother with a preschooler, worrying about Mom... Read More
An affirmation is a positive assertion, a solemn declaration, a... Read More
Does that title make you cringe? It made me cringe... Read More
"The knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foresight."You... Read More
Do you really believe that there is anything in this... Read More
You want to change your self-care habits and you can't... Read More
Thank you is such a beautiful phrase. When you say,... Read More
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is... Read More
Most of us love to think that our problems are... Read More
What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More
Speaking comes to most people as naturally as breathing. On... Read More
With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More
I have a 440-page guide on how to simplify my... Read More
The most happy and successful people on earth have a... Read More
One of our most active senses is sight. What we... Read More
It's time to put a bad rumor to rest right... Read More
As I swooshed down the Zoom Flume water slide at... Read More
Problems, disappointments and trouble; the three skunks that sometimes think... Read More
Your response (reaction?) to change is conditioned by your entire... Read More
Spring is here at last! The season brings with it... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |