Your Bosses Feeling Prickly? Read this...

Hi Everyone!

Welcome to another edition of career thoughts, ideas, musings and reminders to help you sharpen your saw. I hope this monthly newsletter will be helpful to help you stay the course on your career journey!

Team Dynamics

I’ve noticed lately that many people are getting more busy and irritable (How about you?).

And also, that more clients have been asking how to manage their leaders.

Have you noticed a similar pattern with your boss(es) and colleagues? Have they become more picky and prickly in recent times?

Putting ourselves in their shoes for a bit… what is going on with them?

I suspect that they have been feeling more stressed out lately... as though some screws are tightening or some daggers are slowly inching closer.

I think it's because there’s incrementally more pressure to get the results in before the year end (slow down) season.

And understandably so...

This line of thinking helps us not take things personally when an irritable colleague snaps at us.

We can react negatively, or we can prepare a response that will neutralize their barb.

But how can we respond?

First, empathize then give them space.

What I love about this response is that we are in control as we give them space and not walk away like a rebuked child or a hurt friend.

For example:

• “I can see you probably need some space at the moment… but I’m here if you need to talk.”
• “I can tell this is not a good time, let’s reschedule.”
• “I understand your frustration, let’s take a breather and revisit this later so we can have a more productive conversation.”

Please let me know if you have other similar statements that help diffuse heightened emotions and let’s share it with other readers!

Job Satisfaction

Speaking of job satisfaction, our salaries are a big part of what makes us happy.

Depending on your corporate cycle, you may be in the midst of a salary review now.

It’s a competitive rat race, so it’s important to always be seen adding value.

Here are some suggestions.?

Try to generate visibility for your contributions and achievements.

How?

Well, I could provide generic advice like speak up more or go to meetings well-prepared, but this is where things get very situational.

Sometimes speaking up and advocating for yourself is good, but sometimes it may backfire, and we don’t want to come across as needy or self-obsessed.

Always be aware of optics and politics that engulf our daily life at the office.

If you do have a salary review coming up, and would like to discuss strategies to ask for a raise, do reach out to us at [email protected] .?

Here’s to your Career Health!

Ps: We are very excited to be launching our smart career diagnostic tool soon. It’s exciting times. Stay tuned!

Do you have a pressing career question? Come talk to us! Drop us an email at [email protected] today!