Exploring the Inner Frontier, Part 1

How to Create and Maintain Healthy Workplace Boundaries -- part 1 of 3 By Daniel Robin "So what happened to you? It’s like you’ve gone M.I.A. … missing for weeks…." "My job ate my life," Tom sighed, as the two high-tech workers sipped their half-decaf cappuccinos. Katie asks politely, "May I offer a suggestion? Push back a little. Your life is more important." "Yeah, but I’m actually Continue Reading ...

Building A Better Workplace: Meeting Expectations

By Daniel Robin "I called this meeting to find out what you think of our new company slogan, cialis ‘We’re working for you’, decease " the Vice President proclaims. "When did we come up with that winner?" queries George, a particularly vocal middle manager. "At last week’s management retreat. What do you all think of it?" "Hey, it really works for me!" announces George, with only a hint of Continue Reading ...

Sailing the Seven C’s of Collaborative Business Relationships

By Daniel Robin To some folks, the phrase "business relationships" is effectively an oxymoron. The more pressure to perform, the more likely there’ll be a bump in the road to collaboration that sends things flying out of control. Hopefully the "bump" isn’t the tip of an iceberg, but just a bit of rough water that will soon pass. Collaboration at work isn’t required, it’s just a lot more Continue Reading ...

Why is Not the Question (nor is it the answer)

By Daniel Robin Kevin and Denise have learned how to fight. With comments like "How could you ...?!" and "I hate it when you do that," they share little more than a difference of opinion. If we ask them "why" they are fighting, we will probably hear "because he's being a jerk" or "because she won't listen to reason." That response explains only the cause of the fight, but not its purpose. A more Continue Reading ...

Humor in the Workplace: Compulsion or Choice?

Someday we'll look back on these times and laugh ... so why not start now!? By Daniel Robin Two executives walk into a bar. One says to the other "I've been thinking. If you took over as CEO, I could retire early." The other executive responds, "Sure, dear, but not until after we put the kids to bed." (What? Oh, I get it ... that's like a joke, but not as funny. What matters is that now we've Continue Reading ...

Communication Skills for People Under Pressure

By Daniel Robin "There comes a time ... when we must grab the bull by the tail and face the situation." - W.C. Fields You walk into a meeting with your agenda brandished on your frontal lobes, ready to get the team's unwavering commitment and blast into action. The last time you had an assignment with this group, some joker disagreed, it threw you off, and it took forever to get it done. This time Continue Reading ...

The Gentle Art of Confrontation

By Daniel Robin When you have a difficult message to convey to someone, how do you get them to listen non-defensively? This article explores methods of delivering so-called "bad news" with maximum effectiveness and minimum offensiveness. Consider the following situation at the office: a co-worker consistently deflects, resists, or lashes back each time you initiate an Continue Reading ...

Anger Management Self-Assessment

How often do you find yourself using these five strategies for dealing with anger? Rate each statement on the left using a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = never, 10 = every time): Score Approach Increase Decrease DIRECT: I get angry and decide to "go off" (express anger or the fact that you are angry) right on the spot. REFLECTIVE: I take time to reflect on Continue Reading ...

Does Anger Cause Blindness?

By Daniel Robin "God grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to hide the bodies of the people that piss me off." - Anon. Note:  If you relate to the above quote, but don't think it's funny, please go here immediately. The previous article discussed that what matters most in communication is what we get across to the other person. Continue Reading ...

Right-Wrong Thinking … is Just Plain Wrong

By Daniel Robin "It’ll never work, asserts Max, after reading the proposal. "What won’t work, Max? I’d like your input … or is it too difficult to let somebody else be right occasionally?," I ask. "Fine, you can be right all you want," sweeping his arm graciously, "-- but your idea stinks." "Hey, I’ve no interest in being right. I just want there to be room for us to openly and constructively Continue Reading ...

Trust: Part 3

Trust This: Five Ways to Be Reliable By Daniel Robin The last two parts of this article reframed "trust" as "being able to predict the other person's behavior," describing some of the dynamics that help you minimize the risks of counting on others. Like most facets of interpersonal relations, on this important two-way street called "trust-based relationships," you'll get where you want to go if Continue Reading ...

Trust: Part 2

Where Does Trust Come From? By Daniel Robin Trust, like respect, is earned. Think of it as an investment. You observe a person's behavior over time, and gradually decide whether or not to invest your trust in them. Though everyone initially deserves a base "line of credit," it would be unwise to rely on "just anybody" in high-risk situations. You wouldn't ask someone with no computer skills Continue Reading ...