Attack Social Anxiety at Work, and Scary Office Networking

I love life, people, and new experiences. However, I also have my socially awkward moments, and feelings of inadequacy. I’m not unique, and I’m not alone. However, it is how we handle those negative feelings that set us apart from those who remain frozen in fear.  The majority of us have at least one type of social situation that causes us nervousness …

6 Ways I Learned to Like People that I Don’t Like, and Build Relationships

With all the people that we are connected to, it is inevitable that we will encounter a few that we are not fond of. The reasons may be blatant, but they also may be subconscious. However, if we can uncover and acknowledge some of these reasons, we have a greater chance of resolving the issue, which means improved relationships, culture, and productivity. …

DON’T Bring your Empathy & Sympathy to Work?

Do we really need to offer more of ourselves at work? Do we really need to add sympathy and empathy to our list of work tasks? Or, can we all benefit from a few kind words? “We are all adults here, time to suck-it-up!” There are many thoughts and/or comments surrounding “emotions” in the workplace. “We are all adults here, time …

Hate Late Colleagues? 3 Steps to Handle!

Your colleague is late in the mornings. 3 hours last week. 2 hours yesterday. 1 hour today. You are counting. It is causing you stress. Feelings about the situation can build up over time – such as: resentment, frustration, anger, irritation, confusion, and jealousy. These feelings are certainly not a good way to start the day. You have work to accomplish, …

No need to be AT work with a Mental/Physical Illness

A first glance, you might think that this blog is about telling people with mental and physical challenges to STOP working. This is not that kind of blog. I have a dear friend who has worked in the office jungle for many years. Also during that time, she has suffered from an anxiety disorder and an unrelated physical illness. She has never told her …

The NO PROBLEM – Problem!

I recently encountered a problem that I didn’t know existed. Are you aware that “NO PROBLEM” is a problem?  Specifically the term can have a negative impact on the customer experience. I was in a restaurant last week, having dinner with my family. We were eating at an earlier time, so the restaurant was relatively quiet. The couple beside us …

Why is this store SO HAPPY?

A retail store where EVERYONE is happy (including me as a customer)? How is this possible? On a busy Saturday in November (just when the Holiday shoppers are out-and-about), I encountered an assortment of Home Hardware Associates. ALL were happy, friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They all took initiative, and seemed to genuinely take pride in their …

Digital Fluency IQ? Backwards BEFORE Forward!

What is Digital Fluency? Digital Fluency (as defined in the Workplace Reinvention Handbook) is the ability to effectively navigate, analyze and create information as well as interact and engage stakeholders in a wide variety of social and digital technologies. Why is it important? Employees and Managers with high Digital Fluency (and even those that …