Question: Last year, I went home most days feeling like I was busy but that I hadn’t accomplished anything important. Even on days that I’d intentionally cleared my calendar to work on a big project, I would still get highjacked by Slack messages and “quick questions.” I don’t want to seem like I’m not a team player, but what can I do to stop feeling busy all the time without having anything to show for it?
Question: Our hospital Executive Team is made up of seven members: 6 men and 1 woman (me, the Chief of Human Resources). During Executive Team meetings, I often find that my ideas are either not acknowledged or met with resistance until a male colleague restates the idea and gets credit as his original thought. I often point out, “I just said that,” but not even that comment seems to be heard. I’m tired of feeling invisible. Can you recommend another strategy that won’t fall on deaf ears?
Question: I lead of team of six at a financial planning and advisory firm in Columbus, Ohio. The firm was founded 20 years ago. My team is made up mostly of more recent college graduates who have been asking for flexible hours for the past two years with no success. What’s more, new recruits are turning down open positions because of our inflexible work policy. My manager has (finally) agreed to listen to our team’s request for more flexible hours. Any tips for how to facilitate the dialogue?
Question: I just completed an internship with an amazing company. I’m excited about starting my career and eventually want to earn a leadership role. Do you have any basics for how to start off on a good foot?
Question: I’ve been working for a Credit Union since I graduated from college eight years ago. Three months ago, I was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager and am excited to meet this challenge. I have four direct reports, one of which is old enough to be my mother. She’s clearly not taking my position seriously. She’s attended less than half of our weekly team meetings and when she does, she openly “corrects” me. I’m quickly losing credibility and confidence in my ability to manage. What strategies can you give me to connect with my older employee?
Question: I manage a team of 12 in a public accounting firm in Austin, Texas. Although the lead-up to April 15th is our busiest time of the year, we also perform bookkeeping, consulting and auditing tasks throughout the year for our individual and corporate clients. This month, five members of our team will be on vacation at the same time. How do I keep the rest of my team productive while everyone else is taking time off?