Few employers can promise that change will not disrupt the job you are seeking. They need you to be adaptable, but they may not ask. Instead, they will look for evidence in your work habits that prove you don't fear change. These include having backup plans, coping well with sudden redirection, always having different approaches to problems, and evidence of ability to make lemonade out of lemons. Be prepared to talk about about a big problem or sudden crisis you faced, and how you weren't…

Workplace communication sometimes includes receiving negative feedback or being confronted with a problem related to our work. Automatic reactions of defensiveness then follow. Remaining unruffled - staying composed and receptive even while feeling reactive - is a learned skill. Feeling defensive is natural when we feel a threat, but it has drawbacks in the workplace. Typically it is a no-win response that keep us from hearing others, interferes with solving problems, and sours relationships…

Many people who struggle with procrastination find it mind-boggling to try to self-correct this habit. Despite having access to a world of tips on how to overcome their tendency to put things off, deadlines still change them. Don't keep fighting with your inability to get started on tasks and stick with them. Don't keep fighting with your inability to get started on tasks and to stick with them. Procrastination is a symptom, usually of another issue undermining your ability to "just do it".  …

Difficult situations at work—major errors, sudden change, conflicts, and emotional meltdowns—affect every
workplace. A popular question in employment interviews is “Can you give me an example of a difficult situation and how you handled it?”  Often full of drama, difficult situations (you know them when you experience them) require maturity, skill, and a cool head. Minimizing disruption to the workplace is the goal, and bosses typically know who they will turn to for help in managing difficult…

Authentic relationships are those that allow us to show our true selves. Authentic relationships at work have value because they reduce stress, allow us to feel more connected, and give our jobs meaning. It can be riskier at work to let your guard down and allow limitations and vulnerabilities to show, so building authentic relationships must be a conscious process. Step one is do your job well. Be a team player. Getting the work done is still priority one, and it's critical to building a…

It's easier to text a co-worker down the hall than to stand at a water cooler, but is your texting interfering with productivity? It's a growing topic of discussion among employers. Like when you're hanging out at a water cooler, time can pass by when a topic of conversation is compelling. Some organizations have policies about texting while others do not. But even if yours doesn't, come up with your own personal texting management rules or -- even better -- create some rules among your…

Smartphones are marvelous mobile devices that change the way we work and give us boundless flexibility. They also capture our minds and create endless distractions that draw our attention away from things that matter.

A recent survey by Careerbuilder found 55% of employers blame mobiles phones for decreased productivity. More than 80% of workers said they keep their smartphones within eye contact at work, and 66% say they use their phones several times throughout the workday.

A study by…

Many employees resist conflict resolution for fear it might not work out in their favor! Unfortunately, the fear is based on the belief that conflict resolution is win-lose - that it seeks to discover who is right. The art of conflict resolution, however, is anything but win-lose. Conflict resolution is about producing satisfaction for both parties. Part of what makes conflict resolutions successful is listening to the perspective of the conflict partner and acknowledging it. The other…

Brainstorming is a technique for generating a solution to a problem by using a group of participants who offer any idea without hesitation or regard for its plausibility or likelihood of being effective. Even absurd ideas are not judged. No analysis is made until the end of the session, when all ideas are examined for the most ideal solution. Here's how to improve brainstorming: always record everyone's input, allow no discussion or interruptions during the brainstorming, and be provocative if…