Career

Satisfaction in the workplace is on a decline according to surveys and backyard conversations. Dissatisfied employees are opening up about feeling stressed and having difficulty with the underlying anxiety and mood swings that often accompany such responses.

Passive aggressive responses are not unusual when employees become resentful. There seems to be an increase in workplace gossip whether presented openly in the lounge or break room or heard more subtly through whispering gossip. A domino effect amongst other employees can readily ensue.

Other passive aggressive responses in the workplace may include:

Working for a boss who you butt heads with is never pleasant. In fact, surveys consistently show a top reason people leave their jobs is because of a bad relationship with their boss. So it won’t surprise you that many of my clients come to me because they want to leave a boss they can’t bear to work with anymore, even though the work may be just what they want. Below are three actions anyone can take to shift their perspective and find new solutions to workplace strife.

Long before the invention of Facebook and Twitter, our ancestors grappled with how to improve their social lives, forge beneficial connections, and strengthen their reputations.

  Centuries later, not all that much has changed. For example, how many of us feel the need to escape from social Siberia? And can’t we all benefit from techniques that will help us win new friends and broaden our social networks for smoother career advancement?

Firing a client is one of the most difficult decisions a business owner will ever make. And when push comes to shove, few actually do the deed. First of all, firing clients goes against everything a business owner knows. Clients keep the business going. Clients put food on the table. Clients spread the word and bring in more clients. So, when you consider firing one, it feels like you’re purposely harming your business. Second, it’s a hard, uncomfortable conversation to have—that’s why so many business owners never do it; they just hope the bad clients will eventually go away.

You want to join the women-helping-women movement and you’re looking for opportunities to make deeper, more meaningful connections; opportunities to support each other, and to make the world a better place. However, just going to a conference, fundraiser or team meeting isn’t enough. You have to know what comes next—what to say or do to connect with other women in ways that yield real relationships and change lives (including yours) for the better.

Competing with other women is out. Connecting with other women to share ideas, work together on projects, and offer support is in. The changes brought about by the global economy have made collaboration and innovation must-have skills, and the great news is that women tend to be naturals at them. And that is why the women-helping-women movement is really picking up steam.

We’re making a shift to what I call "Connecting 2.0." It’s more meaningful than the "mile-wide and inch-deep" type of connecting we associate with social media. It’s based on sharing and co-creating, not self-interest. It’s authentic, it feels good, and it works.

With the new year in full swing, you’re probably looking forward to taking advantage of new opportunities that will help your business grow and blossom. What you aren’t looking forward to is another year full of Client A cursing you out every time you have a meeting. Or Client B always asking for more, more, more and then complaining once they get the bill. Or Client C being so slow to respond that every project takes twice as long as is necessary. These are the clients who starve your business of the energy it needs to grow and prosper. We suggest it might be time to do some winter pruning and cut off those bad branches.