Worked Up At Work

Career

Don’t Bet on “Anything Goes” Regulation Change

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on February 18, 2017

I do expect some change to regulations on bullying and sexual harassment, but business owners and managers will still need to maintain a safe environment in the workplace.

I do expect some change to regulations on bullying and sexual harassment, but business owners and managers will still need to maintain a safe environment in the workplace.

Social Networking

Social Media: Things are Not Always What They Seem

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on January 21, 2017

With a new president who likes to tweet, this might be a good time to remember that for most job seekers, social media should be used with caution.

With a new president who likes to tweet, this might be a good time to remember that for most job seekers, social media should be used with caution.

Motivation

Your Biggest Job? Motivating Your Staff

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on January 5, 2017

Technology, inventory, logistics and more are critical to organizations of every kind. But the most important single item for owners and managers may be motivating your employees.

Technology, inventory, logistics and more are critical to organizations of every kind. But the most important single item for owners and managers may be motivating your employees.

Workplace Dynamics

Toxic Employee: Stop It or Leave

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on November 21, 2016

It's human nature to ignore an unpleasant problem. But ignoring a toxic employee can bring down your entire workplace.

It's human nature to ignore an unpleasant problem. But ignoring a toxic employee can bring down your entire workplace.

Leadership

Don’t Try to Kill a Dragon With One Arrow

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on October 17, 2016

Procrastination and desperation are twins of management failure. If you wait until a problem is so bad only a massive effort seems likely to succeed, you may have already failed.

Procrastination and desperation are twins of management failure. If you wait until a problem is so bad only a massive effort seems likely to succeed, you may have already failed.

Bias

Seasons Change. So Do Laws and Regulations

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on September 19, 2016

It’s clear that the legal and regulatory climate of our world is changing. Whether you run a masonry firm or a medical office, the changes are everywhere.

It’s clear that the legal and regulatory climate of our world is changing. Whether you run a masonry firm or a medical office, the changes are everywhere.

Cross-Cultural Psychology

Culture Eats Strategy for Lunch. Every Time. Everywhere.

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on August 18, 2016

Budgeting a little time to explain things at work can help build momentum and support. And those can make the difference in success and failure, ultimately the bottom line.

Budgeting a little time to explain things at work can help build momentum and support. And those can make the difference in success and failure, ultimately the bottom line.

Leadership

Rationalizing Shortcuts Can Bring an Expensive Disaster

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on July 20, 2016

It's easy to cut corners, but if you own or manage an organization, certain shortcuts should be avoided. Namely in policy and practice which may sound almost identical but are not.

It's easy to cut corners, but if you own or manage an organization, certain shortcuts should be avoided. Namely in policy and practice which may sound almost identical but are not.

Career

Double Standards Never Work at Work

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on June 27, 2016

Even when someone at work is a pain, it's usually better not to come down harshly in front of others. Managers risk looking like the bad guy and undermining their own authority.

Even when someone at work is a pain, it's usually better not to come down harshly in front of others. Managers risk looking like the bad guy and undermining their own authority.

Career

Insurance Parity: Make It Work For You

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on May 26, 2016

Sure, new regulations are not always great for businesses and even non-profit organizations. But mental health parity can be a long-term plus for organizations that utilize it.

Sure, new regulations are not always great for businesses and even non-profit organizations. But mental health parity can be a long-term plus for organizations that utilize it.

There's room for our differences in the workplace.

Just as no means no, a safe environment means just that.

Stress

Stress Should be Recognized and Dealt With—Quickly

Steve M. Cohen Ed.D., C.M.C on February 26, 2016

Stress is unavoidable, but that doesn't mean it should be tolerated more than necessary, even at work. Good leaders learn to recognize excessive stress and take steps to reduce it.

Stress is unavoidable, but that doesn't mean it should be tolerated more than necessary, even at work. Good leaders learn to recognize excessive stress and take steps to reduce it.

Workplace bullying isn't going away soon so smart owners and managers will be prepared to deal with it. It's both the right thing to do and the smart business move.

This time of year holiday parties often involve alcohol. That's fine, but if the drinking is part of a business or organization, you'll want to limit consumption to limit liability

Small business owners and managers are especially prone to being overwhelmed by details. And yes, the devil really is in the details on many occasions. But not scheduling time for some strategic thinking can be an even bigger mistake.

Business leaders, managers and owners don't need a degree in psychology, but it might help.

My advice to employers and managers is generally to first consider the issue of workplace fairness and try to avoid inserting their own personal beliefs. It's not easy either way, but mixing emotions with work can cause big problems for owners and managers.

Developing a sense of community in any organization is usually a plus, but keep in mind that a true community is a very difficult achievement. Most businesses and even non-profits ultimately must prioritize their organizational goals, otherwise they are likely to become a thing of the past.

More than front-line workers, supervisors who are working against organization goals are really guilty of an ethical breach. Allowing it to continue is a cost you probably can't afford.