Research shows that we find our jobs more fulfilling when we have positive relationships with the people we work with. This isn’t something that will happen on its own, so be purposeful and systematic about it. For example, you could organize a social event with your colleagues to get to know one another better. Or, […]

When a disagreement with a colleague gets heated, it’s normal to feel all sorts of emotions: disappointment, anger, or frustration, for example. But should you express what you’re feeling? It depends. If you’re experiencing what psychologists call a hot emotion — one that comes with an urgent sense of entitlement or even revenge (“I have […]

Stress and distraction can form a dangerous cycle. When we can’t focus at work, we often feel stressed about not being productive — which causes us to focus even less. You can break this cycle by using self-awareness. Pay attention to what’s going on the next time you get distracted: Are you bored by what […]

It will happen to all of us someday: A younger generation enters the workforce and becomes the most sought-after consumers, and the rest of us feel left behind. One way to keep up is to ask a younger colleague to mentor you. This is especially important when it comes to technology, since the best tools […]

If you and a colleague are in a tug-of-war over who owns a project or who gets to decide how to use your team’s budget, you might feel frustrated or threatened. But getting angry won’t help you reach a resolution. Forget the win-lose paradigm; approach the situation by focusing on a common goal. Try to […]

The volume of information and stimuli coming at us every day makes it more difficult to focus than ever. To do the careful thinking that decision making and leadership require, you must step back from the noise of the world. Schedule 15-minute breaks at least once or twice a day to sit quietly in your […]

New managers are often tempted to hold onto the work that keeps them close to their team’s everyday operations. But now that you have a wider set of responsibilities, you need to be discerning about your time and selective about the tasks you take on. Carefully assess every demand that comes your way, and ask […]

In an ideal world, feedback would always happen face-to-face, so the other person could read your body language and hear your voice. But there are times when you have to provide input through email, text message, or even instant message, and in these cases it’s important to be careful about tone. Written criticism can easily […]

When you and a coworker are discussing a conflict you’ve been having, you might be tempted to launch into your account of the events, assuming that your counterpart should see things exactly the way you do. But that approach is unlikely to go over well. Instead, treat your opinion of what’s happened as what it […]

When one of your employees quits, you may take it personally. But keep in mind that their decision may have little to do with you: Most people leave because their opportunities for growth are limited. Encourage all your employees to openly discuss with you their goals and plans for the future, even if those plans […]

It’s hard to tell an employee they didn’t get the promotion they were vying for. Your goal should be to deliver the news clearly and with empathy. Start by validating your employee’s contributions and thanking them for applying. Avoid comforting statements like “Next time you’ll get the job,” which make promises you may not be […]

When you’re going through a personal crisis, you’ll likely need the support of your colleagues. But they may not know how to be useful, so ask for their help thoughtfully and specifically. Describe what you need and why the help is meaningful to you, and, as with any request at work, give a deadline. For […]

When you’re burned out and exhausted, it’s easy to think of yourself as a victim of circumstances — and forget that you have a say in your situation. Instead of blaming everyone else for your being overworked and overstressed, take ownership of it. Think to yourself: “Others may have contributed to my situation, but I […]

When you go on vacation, ideally you should disconnect from work completely. But if going off the grid truly is not an option for you, set boundaries for yourself so that you aren’t tethered to your device. Make a plan to check your messages once a day at a particular time, or only on certain […]

If you want people at work to trust and respect you, regardless of your title or authority, pay attention to your body language. How you stand, sit, and speak all affect whether people are open to being influenced by you. For example, standing up straight with your shoulders back helps you come across as confident […]

Asking for a promotion can be nerve-wracking. But when you think you’re ready for the next step in your career, it’s important to say so. To prepare for the conversation with your boss, reflect on what you want. Would you like to move up, or might a lateral move interest you? Next, do some research. […]

We all want to work in a place where people treat each other with kindness and respect. But you can’t expect your team to behave that way without making it clear that you want them to. This process starts when you interview potential team members: Tell candidates that your team values civility, so they can […]

You know the feeling when things get tense in a meeting. People raise their voices, or your colleagues talk over each other — and you just want it to end. Instead of watching the clock, take action and help get the conversation back on track. First, point out what’s happening in a matter-of-fact way, without […]

Most people have had a boss they struggled to get along with. Maybe the manager didn’t seem to trust you or wasn’t impressed with your performance. While you may be tempted to blame the situation on your difficult boss, most often a mismatch like this happens when expectations aren’t aligned. For example, perhaps you handed […]

If you’re surrounded by coworkers who get distracted easily, you’re likely to become distracted yourself. Instead of letting them pull you away from your to-do list, set boundaries. You don’t have to be rude about it; you can say something simple like, “Can we continue this conversation later? I want to get this report done, […]

We all know that mindfulness can ease stress, but when you’re a working parent, it feels hard to find the time to fit in anything — even 10 minutes of meditation. Luckily, you can build mindfulness into your busy routine. Spend a few minutes writing down the activities you do each day: drop the kids […]

When evaluating a job offer, it’s important to know whether you’ll fit in at the new company. But it can be hard to get an unvarnished view of an organization’s culture during the interview process. Before you take the job, find people with objective, unbiased opinions of the organization and its culture. They may be […]

When you’re asked to give feedback on a fellow employee, you want it to be useful. But unless you connect it to what matters to them — and separate it from your personal beliefs and preferences — they won’t be able to act on it. Emphasize facts, not interpretations. This means staying away from comments […]

When you’re working from home, sneaking in a load of laundry may not seem like a big deal. But without boundaries, your day is likely to feel chaotic and fragmented. Give yourself structure by pretending you’re at the office. Set up “office hours” (9 AM to 6 PM, for example), and decide what is and […]

When it comes to solving tough problems, tried-and-true methods can help — but they might hold you back from discovering a creative solution. If you’re in a rut with a particular problem, one way to break out is to solicit advice from unlikely sources — those who will see the issue in a completely different […]

If your employee is irritating fellow colleagues, don’t let the behavior go. Start by making your intentions clear — say something like, “I’m always looking for ways to help you grow, and I have some thoughts. When is a good time to talk?” During the discussion, focus on the facts. What exactly is the employee […]