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Helpful Tips Archives:
- Toxic
Bosses: Worst Managers to Work For
- by Joanna Boydak, LiveCareer.com
Gallup surveys of U.S. workers suggest
that 20% of employees are dissatisfied with their immediate
supervisors. Here are some of the most toxic managers and
suggestions for how to deal with them.
1. The Control Freak
This type of manager won't let
anything happen without her approval, no matter how small. This
micromanager is never satisfied until she's put her own stamp on
whatever you do. The Control Freak struggles with task delegation.
How to cope: If
you're being micromanaged, don't take it personally. To satisfy this
type of manager, anticipate the information she wants and
proactively offer consistent updates. Don't criticize your manager
or get defensive. Instead, earn trust by assuring her that you will
do your work to her specifications.
2. The MIA Manager
The MIA ("Missing in
Action") Manager may work in a different office, constantly
travel for work, or just be too busy for any real face time.
Although this may seem like the best type of boss to have, it can
backfire when you seek career advancement, need some direction, or
just find yourself out of the loop.
How to cope: Get on
his radar with routine calls, emails, and visits. Having established
communication paves the way for a stronger work relationship and
more visibility. Since this type of manager is not a readily
available mentor, look to other supervisors, perhaps outside of your
organization, for career advice and guidance.
3. The Politician
This type of manager surrounds
herself with subordinates that make her look good. The Politician
works harder at networking
than anything else and takes credit for your accomplishments.
How to cope: The
Politician is usually a major delegator, so take advantage of the
extra responsibility. Your coworkers and other supervisors will take
notice of your hard work, and it will pay off. Try to pick up some
helpful networking skills from your masterful political boss while
you have the chance.
4. The Airhead
The Airhead is new to the industry or
simply lacks any viable management skills. The good thing about this
type of manager is that he is open to your ideas, opinions and
suggestions ... probably because he doesn't have any of his own.
How to cope: Instead
of dwelling on the fact that you could probably do a better job, act
enthusiastic when your assistance is needed and offer smart
alternatives to his ill-advised ideas. Use his lack of expertise as
a way to shine in your current position and show you are a team
player.
5. Napoleonic Manager
You may be dealing with a modern day
Napoleon in the office if your manager demands the unachievable from
her subordinates. The Napoleonic Manager has no life outside of work
and expects the same from you.
How to cope:
Flattery will get you places with this type of manager. Stroke her
ego by frequently asking for her input and acknowledging her
expertise. Instead of making a direct request or demand, become
skillful at the art of persuasion. All the while, soften her up by
telling her how much you admire her dedication or analytical
prowess.
- 5
Weapons for Battling Burnout
- Robert Half International
Many workers have been tackling large workloads for months and slowly but surely losing their "get-up-and-go." If routine assignments have taken on mammoth proportions, you may be suffering from burnout. Long work hours and seemingly relentless deadlines can lead to low morale and reduced productivity -- not to mention decreased job satisfaction. Following are additional warning signs that you may be "running on empty":
· You have trouble getting out of bed when you have to go to work.
· You frequently arrive to work late.
· You feel bad about your performance.
· You feel withdrawn.
· You watch the clock excessively.
· Work stress spills over into other areas of your life.
· You get into frequent disagreements with your manager or co-workers when you didn't in the past.
· You feel you aren't making progress, despite your best efforts.
If these symptoms sound familiar, it may be time to make some changes. Here are some strategies to help you renew your enthusiasm and get your career back on track:
1. Evaluate your role
If your company has experienced layoffs or has a hiring freeze in place, you might be shouldering more responsibility than in the past. Although taking on new assignments can be a good career move, doing so can lead to burnout if the scope of your responsibility has expanded beyond what you can reasonably manage. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't try to "tough it out." Instead, meet with your supervisor and be honest about your situation. Work with him or her to reprioritize projects or look for ways to delegate some of your work.
2. Look at your schedule
The way you manage your time also can affect your ability to rebound from job exhaustion. If you are overbooked or expending too much energy on non-critical initiatives, you may be creating additional pressure at work. Try keeping a simple record of your activities for a week and divide the findings into categories such as "researching," "reviewing proposals" and "responding to e-mails." Are you devoting adequate time to the highest priorities?
3. Identify your stressors
Understanding the factors that contributed to your decline in motivation can help you move in a more positive direction. Think about what has contributed to your burnout: Is it the feeling that projects are out of your control? Have your own actions exacerbated the problem? For example, you may have set an overly ambitious timeline for completing an assignment, creating unnecessary stress and obstacles to its success. Even small changes to your routine, such as seeking assistance from your manager when you have too many projects on your plate, can help brighten your outlook.
4. Ask for help
A common symptom of burnout is a feeling of isolation. You may think you're the only one who can review a particular document because you understand the project best, but someone else might bring in a fresh perspective -- not to mention relieve some of the burden. It's OK to let others know that you're facing difficulties and request their assistance. Keep in mind that you won't be perceived as a complainer if you objectively outline the specific issues you're trying to address and ask for guidance.
5. Take a break
Make sure to allow time to periodically recharge. Even if you're working long hours, you can counteract stress and maximize your performance on the job by taking five- or 10-minute breaks throughout the day. Stand up and stretch or go for a short walk. Instead of eating lunch at your desk, try the break room or outside courtyard. When you're able, try to use your vacation days, as well. Getting away from the office, even for a day or two, can give you a fresh perspective on your situation and allow you to return with new focus and energy.
A certain amount of stress is inherent in any job, but when the pressure gets out of hand, it's important to act quickly. Burnout can negatively affect not only your overall job performance but also your personal life. By taking measures to reduce the amount of stress you're facing, you can regain your motivation.
Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.roberthalf.com. For additional career advice, follow us on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/roberthalf.
Invisible
at Work? Six Ways to Boost Your Profile
Even though H. G. Wells wrote his
famous story "The Invisible Man" more than 100 years ago,
he might as well have been writing about you. At work, you've been
passed over for a promotion more than once, and you're never the
go-to person when your boss is under a tight deadline.
If this is the case, it's time to
think about increasing your visibility.
While it's always important to be a
standout among your peers, building your value and distinguishing
yourself at work is even more essential in these times. Some firms
may still be reducing the size of their work force, while others are
looking for new leaders to help guide the organization during the
recovery.
Following are some strategies and
tactics to help you increase your visibility:
1. Enhance your PR efforts
Your lack of visibility may simply be the result of a poor
public relations effort on your part. Does your boss know what
projects you've been working on? Consider preparing a regular report
that details your key assignments and contributions that you can
present to your manager at touch-base meetings. Also mention any
compliments or thanks you've received from others for your work.
2. Don't be a wallflower
Before you attend meetings, review the agenda and look for areas
where you can provide input on the topics at hand. Don't be shy
about offering your ideas. You might also seek opportunities to
present at upcoming gatherings, such as giving an overview of your
department's duties during new-hire orientations or outlining your
team's product idea to company executives.
3. Know your weaknesses ... and
strengths
Before you seek ways to promote yourself, take an honest look at
your professional abilities. Although you should strive to address
any weaknesses, pay particular attention to improvements that could
help you perform your job better or add more value to the firm.
Perhaps there's a regular need for individuals in your group to send
out memos to other departments or outside clients. Improving your
writing skills could help you take on some of these
responsibilities.
It's also useful to know your
strengths so you can seek out opportunities to use them and
eventually build a reputation as an expert in a certain area. For
example, do you have strong organizational skills? Volunteer to set
the agenda, plan activities and take notes for a two-day summit
meeting between your department and regional counterparts who are
flying in for the gathering.
If you're not sure what your
strengths and weaknesses are -- or want to be certain your
self-assessment is on target -- consult a mentor for candid
feedback.
4. Show initiative
Everyone has been in meetings where silence greets the person asking
for volunteers for a particular project. But taking on extra tasks
outside your primary duties, especially those that no one else seems
to want, is a good way to increase your visibility. You'll show that
you're a valuable collaborator and be able to strengthen or enhance
your skill set. Also be on the lookout for cross-departmental
projects. Participating in these initiatives is an excellent way to
build name recognition throughout the company and expand your base
of internal contacts.
5. Look for cost-cutting measures
All companies -- yours included, no doubt -- continue to look for
ways to save costs. Do you have a suggestion for helping your firm
accomplish this goal? Write a brief memo containing your idea and an
overview of how you'd implement it to present to your manager.
You'll position yourself as cost-conscious and committed to the
company's success.
6. Look at the big picture
A lack of professionalism or legacy of poor choices could give you
the visibility you seek, but for the wrong reasons. Consider the
leaders of the major automakers who flew corporate jets to beg
Congress for taxpayer bailouts. That image of corporate excess in
the midst of a financial crisis gave them a spotlight they would
rather not have had. So make sure you don't undermine your efforts
to build a positive reputation with poor choices.
Becoming the Visible Man, or Woman,
won't happen overnight. But with the right approach, you'll steadily
build awareness of your skills and contributions.
Robert
Half International is the world's first and largest specialized
staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices
worldwide. For more information about our professional services,
please visit www.roberthalf.com.
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