The need to be dependable at work is obvious, but there's a lot to it. All bosses have a feel for how dependable their individual employees are. These workers are prized because supervisors don't have to worry about them. Your path to building an outstanding reputation as a dependable worker is consistency. Be consistent in what you do - whether it's coming to work on time or finishing a report by the deadline. View consistency as the currency that earns your reputation as a dependable worker.…

Micromanagment is a common complaint among employees, but most micromanagement is not malicious. It stems from a lack of understanding of how to delegate. A micromanager may actually trust you, but it is fear that keeps the supervisor from letting go. To intervene, don't grow weary, stress out, or bark out your frustration. Instead, meet in private and explore the issue. If you have not done so before now, you'll discover the solution is likely good communication about each of your needs. You…

Respect in the workplace brings to mind words like tolerance, diversity awareness, and bias. But disrespect includes much more broader issues that can impact productivity. One of them is not respecting the personal boundaries of a coworker. Do you walk through coworkers' doors unannounced, call after hours when they are at home, or sit in a chair close by while coworkers are on the phone, waiting your turn to speak with them? Employees who appreciate the importance of honoring personal…

Tools for capturing thoughts -- and listening to them--are among the most sought-after technologies. Tiny spiral notebooks of the past have been replaced by an abundance of options. One of the most progressive is the pocket recorder. These aren't $290 anymore. They're 29 bucks! And they record sharp, crisp sound with 20 hours or more of recording time. Search any online tech store to find dozen of choices. Or, use the free recorder that is probably already installed on your cell phone! Five…

Do you have a coworker who experiences chronic pain due to health condition? The number of employees with chronic pain will increase dramatically as the workforce ages. Often invisible, some pain-producing conditions can be easy to dismiss or overlook in our daily interactions. To support a coworker with pain condition, do not mistake slower movement for lack of motivation or mental ability. Do not associate chronic pain or conditions with unreliability on projects or team endeavors. Those with…

Team building improves communication, increase morale, and boosts productivity. But what if your employer doesn't offer those off-site team-building retreats? How can small two-person teams benefit? Try do-it-yourself team building! Simple exercises can rejuvenate you. Find exercises (hundreds are at online bookstores) that 1) focus on building trust; 2) offer the experience of being open with feelings; 3) allow team members to practice nonjudgmental thinking about each other; and 4) give each…

Like racism or sexism, ageism is discrimination, and it is rooted in prejudice based on age. You can steer clear of ageism by 1) Avoiding seeing coworkers through a lens of their age. Instead focus on their ability, potential, productivity, and impact. 2) Being aware of how older and younger persons are negatively depicted on television. This exercise will help inoculate you and reverse age bias. 3) Considering that by 2020, 67 percent of those who are 64-74 years old will be working. This…

Complacency is the number one cause of workplace accidents. Complacency is defined as "self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers." Understand complacency for the insidious state of mind it represents. When you perform the same task repeatedly that requires alertness -- without incident - you risk experiencing complacency. Dismissal of safety steps follow. For example, instead of walking the long way around a dump truck, you short-cut it across the back while…

A lot of business literature focuses on how to communicate with millennials. Do you know that 70% of millennials prefer digital communication to any other type? Workplace tips: When giving assignments, include "the why." Millennials are typically less motivated by simply being told, "do it." Team skills, challenge, less fear of change, applying tech to problems, high energy, finding the answer, and pushing the limits of discovery - these are strengths and values of millennials. Consider these…