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.
maide service in Park Ridge .."For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is... Read More
Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More
Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More
Resentment isn't a spectacular emotion, but it is long-lasting and... Read More
The surge of emotions.During the middle ages, the court jester... Read More
As I walked my dogs recently on what "should" have... Read More
The quality of your life is directly related to your... Read More
Changing your mindset can have a significant impact on achieving... Read More
Do you realize how good you have it? Yes, everyone... Read More
Many of the books on this page were inspired by... Read More
Our lives are overflowing with negative information from the newspapers,... Read More
You already have all the resources you need to accomplish... Read More
We all know there are ways to become a better... Read More
One Friday in November, I began a journey from New... Read More
"We can change our circumstances by a mere change of... Read More
Wahms, do you constantly compare yourself with others and come... Read More
IntroductionDid your boss, took you for a ride? Did your... Read More
Aging is a matter of the mind.The years may creep... Read More
What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More
"If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing... Read More
Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More
The late Norman Vincent Peale was a controversial preacher who... Read More
Often when radical change occurs in our lives we feel... Read More
In my years as a psychologist, I have come to... Read More
"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take... Read More
after renovation cleaning Highland Park .."Who am I fooling?" "I'm a loser," "I'm too old,"... Read More
You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More
The others in the raft didn't seem to share Eddie's... Read More
What is a paradigm? In my own words, a paradigm... Read More
Many of us allow our fear to stop us in... Read More
As a being of thought, your dominant mental attitude will... Read More
Why do we really need the experiences that we have... Read More
Music penetrates our mental barriers and influences the deepest areas... Read More
Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More
Distortions are False Beliefs Programmed every Day by Self and... Read More
There was some sunshine this weekend while I was writing... Read More
I'm getting calls from folks who say, "I hear you... Read More
The universe is vast, it's dimensions inconceivable, it's potentialities unimaginable,... Read More
The other evening, I was meticulously assembling and painting one... Read More
If you are a parent, it is up to you... Read More
One of the first things that I work on with... Read More
Emotions have the tendency to take over our actions and... Read More
I am an educator as well as a coach and... Read More
One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the... Read More
Unhappy? Stressed out? Do you feel you not only want... Read More
Remember Des'ree? She had a great song out in 1994,... Read More
Our initial reaction when hitting a setback or a "roadblock,... Read More
When you feel lost and confused, it is easy to... Read More
Why do we have such a downer on Pollyanna? After... Read More
Words, Ignorance, and Casper The Friendly Ghost!Do your best to... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |