Making Your Team Work

Career

Surviving in an Open Office Space

Liane Davey Ph.D. on June 13, 2014

The lure of cost savings and the promise of increased collaboration have led many organizations to move to open office spaces. These fields of desks are fantastic unless you're an introvert (you prefer to concentrate and have privacy) or an extrovert (you're easily distracted)... Given that almost everyone struggles with making an open office work, here a few tips.

The lure of cost savings and the promise of increased collaboration have led many organizations to move to open office spaces. These fields of desks are fantastic unless you're an introvert (you prefer to concentrate and have privacy) or an extrovert (you're easily distracted)... Given that almost everyone struggles with making an open office work, here a few tips.

Career

What Do I Do When I Hate My Colleague?

Liane Davey Ph.D. on June 8, 2014

Is there someone you have to deal with at work, at school, or in your community whom you hate? Those powerful emotions are creating undue stress for you and wreaking havoc on your ability to get things done. Use this approach to rebuild your relationship, or at least to reduce the negative impact it has on you.

Is there someone you have to deal with at work, at school, or in your community whom you hate? Those powerful emotions are creating undue stress for you and wreaking havoc on your ability to get things done. Use this approach to rebuild your relationship, or at least to reduce the negative impact it has on you.

Career

Are You Resisting Change?

Liane Davey Ph.D. on April 26, 2014

Change is everywhere today. We are abandoning the old ways of doing things in support of the new. But when change comes to your workplace, your school, and even your home, how do you respond. Take this simple quiz and see if you are resisting change. Then use the three quick tips to start dealing with your resistance right away.

Change is everywhere today. We are abandoning the old ways of doing things in support of the new. But when change comes to your workplace, your school, and even your home, how do you respond. Take this simple quiz and see if you are resisting change. Then use the three quick tips to start dealing with your resistance right away.

Ethics and Morality

Good People Do Bad Things in the Afternoon

Liane Davey Ph.D. on April 21, 2014

We can all relate to times when our energy gets low and we give in to temptation. But new research suggests that the risks can be greater than eating the odd cookie. It turns out that people are significantly less moral as their energy flags late in the day. Read about how to manage this afternoon integrity-dip on your team.

We can all relate to times when our energy gets low and we give in to temptation. But new research suggests that the risks can be greater than eating the odd cookie. It turns out that people are significantly less moral as their energy flags late in the day. Read about how to manage this afternoon integrity-dip on your team.

Teamwork

Ten Back Pocket Phrases to Disarm Conflict

Liane Davey Ph.D. on March 27, 2014

Keeping your team focused on high performance means staying open to the ideas and perspectives of your teammates. On the good days, that might come easily. But on the bad days, keep these handy phrases close at hand and use them to signal that you're ready to listen. The result will be forward progress instead of time wasted fighting about who's right and wrong.

Keeping your team focused on high performance means staying open to the ideas and perspectives of your teammates. On the good days, that might come easily. But on the bad days, keep these handy phrases close at hand and use them to signal that you're ready to listen. The result will be forward progress instead of time wasted fighting about who's right and wrong.

Forgiveness

The Value of Saying I'm Sorry

Liane Davey Ph.D. on March 20, 2014

You could probably improve your relationships by more frequently taking responsibility and saying sorry when you do something wrong. But did you know that you can also contribute to healthier relationships by saying sorry when you have no fault whatsoever?

You could probably improve your relationships by more frequently taking responsibility and saying sorry when you do something wrong. But did you know that you can also contribute to healthier relationships by saying sorry when you have no fault whatsoever?

Some people use the phrase "feedback is a gift," but we all know that it can be the hardest gift to receive.

Relationships

How to Say Something Nice

Liane Davey Ph.D. on February 27, 2014

The world needs a little more kindness and gratitude. One way to contribute is to stop being shy with positive feedback. Here are five steps that will have you sharing the love at your office, throughout your school, and in your community. When given with skill, your positive feedback will be treasured for a long time to come.

The world needs a little more kindness and gratitude. One way to contribute is to stop being shy with positive feedback. Here are five steps that will have you sharing the love at your office, throughout your school, and in your community. When given with skill, your positive feedback will be treasured for a long time to come.

Career

Is Your Vulnerability Making Others Uncomfortable?

Liane Davey Ph.D. on February 22, 2014

The era of feigned perfection and impermeability is ending, but just as unwillingness to show vulnerability negatively affected teams, so too does the over-expression of vulnerability. It is critical to get this balance right: too little vulnerability makes you distant and aloof, too much makes you pitiful and ineffective. Here's the happy medium.

The era of feigned perfection and impermeability is ending, but just as unwillingness to show vulnerability negatively affected teams, so too does the over-expression of vulnerability. It is critical to get this balance right: too little vulnerability makes you distant and aloof, too much makes you pitiful and ineffective. Here's the happy medium.

Leadership

Don't Let Your Voice Be Silenced by Your Boss

Liane Davey Ph.D. on February 18, 2014

Hierarchical management styles aren't necessarily the most effective in an innovation economy. Unfortunately, we still have many old style, dominant team leaders floating around. New research shows that team members have the chance to undue the damaging effects of a dominant leader.

Hierarchical management styles aren't necessarily the most effective in an innovation economy. Unfortunately, we still have many old style, dominant team leaders floating around. New research shows that team members have the chance to undue the damaging effects of a dominant leader.

Career

Quiz: Are You Making These Promotion Killing Mistakes?

Liane Davey Ph.D. on February 8, 2014

Have you been passed up for promotion or told you just don't "have it?" You could be sending the wrong message about your potential with these 12 behaviors that make you look junior. Take the quiz and see if you need to spruce up your image.

Have you been passed up for promotion or told you just don't "have it?" You could be sending the wrong message about your potential with these 12 behaviors that make you look junior. Take the quiz and see if you need to spruce up your image.

Career

Is Gossip Your Guilty Pleasure?

Liane Davey Ph.D. on January 31, 2014

Admit it, you gossip. It's not something you're proud of, but it's just so tempting, right? And what are you to do if someone starts gossiping to you? That's not your fault…or is it? Gossip is an ugly and unproductive behavior that affects relationships at work, at school, and at home. Here are some great techniques for redirecting gossip into something more productive.

Admit it, you gossip. It's not something you're proud of, but it's just so tempting, right? And what are you to do if someone starts gossiping to you? That's not your fault…or is it? Gossip is an ugly and unproductive behavior that affects relationships at work, at school, and at home. Here are some great techniques for redirecting gossip into something more productive.

Guilt

More Guilt, Less Shame

Liane Davey Ph.D. on January 24, 2014

Failure is unpleasant but can also be a great source of learning and a strong motivator or future success. The difference between failure that debilitates us and failure that emboldens us might be whether we feel guilt or shame. Find out the benefits of guilt and how to use guilt to make your team better.

Failure is unpleasant but can also be a great source of learning and a strong motivator or future success. The difference between failure that debilitates us and failure that emboldens us might be whether we feel guilt or shame. Find out the benefits of guilt and how to use guilt to make your team better.

Career

Insulting Your Colleagues Without Saying a Word?

Liane Davey Ph.D. on January 15, 2014

Smart phones have made many things in our lives better. Unfortunately, they have also done serious damage to our ability to connect with one another. We use our phones to text and check email in situations where it sends a very negative message—a message that we would never send intentionally or directly. Here's what you need to do to quit your bad habit.

Smart phones have made many things in our lives better. Unfortunately, they have also done serious damage to our ability to connect with one another. We use our phones to text and check email in situations where it sends a very negative message—a message that we would never send intentionally or directly. Here's what you need to do to quit your bad habit.

Anxiety

Quiz: Are You the Victim on Your Team?

Liane Davey Ph.D. on January 9, 2014

One of the most damaging roles you can play on your team is that of victim. Take this quick quiz to see if feeling wronged is getting in the way of contributing to your team. Then use these three strategies to start standing up for yourself.

One of the most damaging roles you can play on your team is that of victim. Take this quick quiz to see if feeling wronged is getting in the way of contributing to your team. Then use these three strategies to start standing up for yourself.

Career

3 Resolutions if You Want a Promotion This Year

Liane Davey Ph.D. on January 6, 2014

If you are hoping for a promotion this year, there are a three important questions to ask yourself. 1. Am I secure and adding value in my current role? 2. Am I holding on to work that is below me? 3. Am I demonstrating that I can move up? Resolve to make yourself an attractive candidate for promotion this year by reflecting on these three questions.

If you are hoping for a promotion this year, there are a three important questions to ask yourself. 1. Am I secure and adding value in my current role? 2. Am I holding on to work that is below me? 3. Am I demonstrating that I can move up? Resolve to make yourself an attractive candidate for promotion this year by reflecting on these three questions.

Career

Will You Be Turned On Over Christmas?

Liane Davey Ph.D. on December 19, 2013

Many people I know have never turned off their cell phones. But this holiday season, think about the cost to your team and your family of staying connected to work. Some time away can make you a better contributor and give your brain some time to make new connections and think novel thoughts. Time really invested in your family sends the right message about what matters.

Many people I know have never turned off their cell phones. But this holiday season, think about the cost to your team and your family of staying connected to work. Some time away can make you a better contributor and give your brain some time to make new connections and think novel thoughts. Time really invested in your family sends the right message about what matters.

Career

8 Tips to Survive Your Office Holiday Party

Liane Davey Ph.D. on December 11, 2013

The holidays are supposed to by joyous but several prickly situations can make the holidays a difficult time at work. In this second post in the series, I unwrap the do's and don'ts of the office holiday party. When handled well, the holiday party can be a great chance to strengthen relationships and make lasting memories with your coworkers.

The holidays are supposed to by joyous but several prickly situations can make the holidays a difficult time at work. In this second post in the series, I unwrap the do's and don'ts of the office holiday party. When handled well, the holiday party can be a great chance to strengthen relationships and make lasting memories with your coworkers.

Career

To Give or Not to Give? Unwrapping Issues of Gifts at Work

Liane Davey Ph.D. on December 8, 2013

The holiday season is supposed to be joyous but a variety of prickly situations arise when the holidays come to the workplace. This three part series helps you unwrap the challenges of the holidays at work. In this first article, how to handle the delicate situation of gift giving at the office.

The holiday season is supposed to be joyous but a variety of prickly situations arise when the holidays come to the workplace. This three part series helps you unwrap the challenges of the holidays at work. In this first article, how to handle the delicate situation of gift giving at the office.

Career

A Magic Trick to Increase Your Credibility

Liane Davey Ph.D. on November 20, 2013

Credibility is essential when you want to influence others at work, at home, and in your community. Unfortunately, once you need something from someone, it's too late to repair a damaged reputation. You'll be surprised how one simple conversation can work wonders in building your credibility.

Credibility is essential when you want to influence others at work, at home, and in your community. Unfortunately, once you need something from someone, it's too late to repair a damaged reputation. You'll be surprised how one simple conversation can work wonders in building your credibility.