There used to be a degree of civility and respect that permeated most workplaces. This seems to be harder to find in today’s world. The issues of the day can be so contentious that many workers tend to avoid controversial conversations at all. When people do engage, it can lead to tempers flaring. As Christians in the workplace we have ...
When you find yourself or a co-worker in a bad mood, remember the gospel of Christ is the ultimate solution. First, the Bible gives our bad mood perspective. Second, the Bible reminds us we have a God who loves us no matter what. Third, you cannot get over a bad mood without help, and that help is found in the ...
We all have blindspots. The point of seeing blindspots in others is not to understand how to help them, but to understand we have the same blindspots. Here are four steps to help you identify some of your most glaring blindspots. Ask your friends to tell you of your blindspots. Spend time away from your comfort zone. Spend time alone ...
Recently, my wife, Kathy, and I were discussing a scheduling conflict when Kathy began raising her voice loudly. It was out of character and seemed unprovoked. After Kathy had a chance to process her emotions I learned what was really bothering her. Through teary eyes, Kathy apologized and informed me she was missing her mother. Kathy’s mother recently passed away ...
I just finished a two-hour conversation and walked away without an answer. How frustrating! No matter how hard we try, sometimes we’re not going to get answers. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Very seldom did Jesus answer a question ...
In a Harvard Business Review video, leadership consultant, Ron Carucci, claims that 50-60% of executives fail in their first executive role. He studied successful executives to find what they did differently. Carucci discovered four key factors. The final factor is Connections. Successful executives know that connecting with others by building strong relationships and trust is critical. Building the right connections ...
How many of us started a new job only to encounter paperwork, a bare desk and a lonely lunch? Stunned, we contemplate, “Did I make the right decision?” A recent Harvard Business Review article, “How to Get an Employee Up to Speed?” suggests this check list: A clean and “stocked” workstation A list of access codes Welcome emails An overview ...
During my college years, a prevailing management theory contended that bosses should keep their distance from employees. Becoming too friendly with employees was believed to undermine your authority, so many workplaces became cold and aloof. This sometimes even spilled over into peer-to-peer relationships. New research highlighted in Harvard Business Review, however, surfaces a different conclusion. Researchers Emma Seppala and Marissa ...
In the early years of my marriage to Kathy, her family interactions during the holidays shocked me at times. My family members are peacemakers with conflict avoided at all costs. Kathy’s family on the other hand was verbal and sometimes loud when things didn’t go according to plan. The strife in those early years was hard for me to handle, ...
This week we’re discussing some of the causes of conflict in today’s workplace. One of those causes is hatred. Years ago, at a Graduate School of Banking event, a comedian asked everyone to stand. He then asked us to look to the person to our right. He then asked everyone to look to the person to their left. Then he ...
Equipping Others to Do Work Differently
