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SavvySugar Ask Savvy: How Should I Critique My Co-Worker? Nov 13, 2009 6:00 AM Dear Savvy, Today, my manager called me asking me to write up a report about a fellow co-worker. I had mentioned that she was having some difficulties adjusting to the workplace, that she was rude to us, and where she was getting better but that she still often isn't on task. I told her that I would, but I just sat down to write it and have no idea what to say, how to say it, etc. Any suggestions? Savvy says : Your manager is essentially asking you to put your spoken criticism in writing. See my thoughts on this situation when you . Your manager is taking your co-worker concerns seriously which means they need to be added to her employee file. It's not a test for you; it's simply your manager's job to make sure that all complaints are recorded appropriately, and it's more legitimate to have the report coming from the person that has witnessed reportable behavior. You obviously had enough to say about the situation when you originally presented the complaints, so just expand on what you've already told the manager. You say that she's having difficulties adjusting to the workplace, so you should state that along with a deeper explanation of why you feel that way. Each judgment should be paired with a real-office observation to illustrate what's going on with your co-worker — this will keep your report sounding professional. You don't need to go off on tangents about the co-worker, just write enough to get your point across. Also keep in mind that you don't have to include every little imperfection you've seen in the individual. It's better to focus on the big things (like the fact that she's often off-task) rather than her habit of taking an extra five minutes at lunch (or something equally minimal). Have a question for me? Ask away by posting your questions in my Ask Savvy group and I may answer it on the site!
SavvySugar Does Your Occupation Fit Your Personality? Nov 11, 2009 2:45 PM Chances are you’ve taken a personality test at some point in your life — a Myers-Briggs for fun, a Caliper or other employment test for a new job — but have you ever thought about how the results might impact your career choices? Nancy Ancowitz, author of Self-Promotion For Introverts , recently wrote an article in the New York Times about how her introverted personality affected her career path. Ancowitz had always assumed her need to work alone and her aversion to large meetings were character flaws. But once she realized they were just aspects of her personality, she was able to make them work to her advantage and find a career that better suited her. I definitely consider myself an introvert. I love being around people and I can turn on my social side when I need to, but I really do my best work and feel the most recharged when I’m alone. My job, happily, strikes the perfect balance for me. How about you? Does your role at work mesh with your personality? If you’re curious as to what your personality type is, check out this simplified Myers-Briggs test. Photo courtesy of NBC
SavvySugar I'm Asking: Is This Good Advice to Get Ahead? Nov 10, 2009 12:00 PM If you want to learn to act like the boss, you may want to pick up a copy of Stanley Bing's (aka. Gil Schwartz) new book, How to Relax Without Getting the Axe . Just be fair warned, Bing's tips for getting ahead are much more playing the part than they are actual guidelines for working your way up the corporate ladder. It's a pretty simple, if not all-out lackadaisical strategy, that seeks to simulate some corporate executives' office behaviors. For one, the book suggests that creating the illusion of being unreachable helps to build status — you're too important to be on-call all the time. While I'm definitely an advocate of creating a healthy work-life balance , I'm not sure positioning myself as unavailable would help my cause at work — you'd probably just come off as undependable, and unlikely to be given greater responsibilities if your boss thinks you're out of touch with your team or your company. Remember, company execs have more flexibility because they run the show, and acting like you do, may not be the best way to get attention — or at least the kind you're hoping for. For the most part, I'm not buying Bing's advice, but tell me, how do you feel about mimicking executive behavior? Is this an innovative career move or a strategy you're unlikely to adopt?
SavvySugar Your Two Cents: How Often Do You Feel Nervous at Work? Nov 10, 2009 6:00 AM A good friend recently admitted she gets nervous and clammy whenever her boss schedules a meeting with her, which is quite often. She's never been given a bad review or stern talking to, but there's something about being called into a one-on-one that makes her panic. When I asked her why she couldn't explain her fears, except that, like most SavvySugar readers , the recession and layoffs at her company have left her particularly uneasy and chipped away at her confidence. Do you ever get shaking on the job or you stay steady and self-assured?
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We all want to get the most out of life - Welcome To Thrifty Tips. - A lot of us want to save money, and use our time, food, energy, to it's best potential. This is a group where we can share ideas for getting the most out of life!