'I quit my job by email since that's how I normally communicated with my boss. But I've been thinking that quitting by email may not be appropriate...!' Have you had enough? Is quitting the right option? If so, resign with class. But first, know why you're leaving. Do you have patience with customers or co-workers? Are company policies and ethics congruent with your values? Do you have supportive superi...

We all know the “it” words for leadership qualities today, those buzzwords that pop up over and over to describe the qualities leader aspire to. Frankly, I’m totally over words like “ninja” and “guru.” But there are several words that are common in today’s management vernacular that really do describe great leaders. If you’re a leader or aspiring to be one, I hope you&rs...

Are you frustrated with your boss or irritated at co-workers' annoying habits? Do some customers' behaviors infuriate you? How do you react in these situations? In today's workplace there are varied people with diverse perspectives and behaviors. Disagreements occur because people hear, see and interpret things differently. To resolve disagreements with people who have d...

You’re in a meeting when a colleague takes credit for your work. What would you do: 1) Publicly confront the colleague over ownership? 2) After the meeting, request she give you credit when discussing your work? 3) Nothing? 4) Publicly thank her for referencing your work, and give the group additional information? If you selected # 4, you've demonstrated emotional intelligence or EQ. Studies show that emotiona...

Rosemary writes: “I’m starting a new position and want to make sure I get off to a good start. What to do?” Starting a new job is exciting and sometimes intimidating. You have a fresh start, new challenges and renewed energy. But you may also feel apprehensive, particularly if you were fired or laid off from your last job. Tips for thriving in your new job - Believe in yourself. Have faith in y...

Cornerstone OnDemand researchers have discovered a surprisingly simple way to increase productivity: better office seating arrangements. In a recent article in Harvard Business Review, Jason Corsello and Dylan Minor described the results of a new study, which suggested that who an employee sits next to affects how they perform — and that grouping the right types of coworkers together can improve productivity and wo...

Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers first recorded the song “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” in 1944, and many stars have covered the tune–Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul McCartney, Barry Manilow, and, for you punk fans, The Vindictives, just to name a few. But for David Corbin, it was a version by a dancing bear that stood out. Corbin, a friend I’ve grown to respect as a fellow professional speak...

Have you ever felt guilty at work when there really was no reason to? True guilt is the negative feeling we have when we harm others. False guilt, on the other hand, is a negative feeling triggered by not living up to standards that are no longer realistic or because of things outside our control. For example, we may feel guilty because we think we are no longer contributing to our group project. Or a manager may feel gu...

If you look around long enough in your life - especially if you have kids - you'll see a pattern emerge. People are trying to coach others as much as they can, but they default to non-specific feedback that is unhelpful at best and counter-productive at worst. Want some examples? Sweet! Here you go: 'Try Harder' 'You Just Need To Work More' 'Focus' 'Be Patient' 'Give Them What They Want' Read t...

Being overlean could be your downfall. Why project management is not just for the big firms. Shazir Mucklai is a startlingly young angel investor and adviser in disruptive startups. He currently runs a six-figure PR firm helping startups commercialize their products and launch their ideas. I say that he is startlingly young because according to his LinkedIn profile, he is still in college. One of things I love about w...