Category Archives: Blog Posts

Collaborative Workplace Advantage

By Daniel Robin In our workshops, we emphasize the skills of participatory management and collaborative leadership.  With collaborative approaches - in contrast with one-way, autocratic or dictatorial - leaders at all levels use an inclusive style that balances assertiveness (focus on goal or task achievement) with gaining cooperation and commitment (flexibility and consideration in relating to Continue Reading ...

Initiating and Sustaining Change at Work: Part 1

Personal Tools for Leading Transitions By Daniel Robin "You just don't seem motivated to do your job," the executive tells the team, "and this will have to change soon, or else --" "Or else what?," the department manager inquires, shrugging her shoulders. "Or else ... uhhh ... it will change later?" No person or thing can force anyone to change. Your office might get moved, but the decision to Continue Reading ...

Initiating and Sustaining Change at Work: Part 2

Interpersonal Strategies for Leading Transitions By Daniel Robin Part 1 in this series focused on how change affects us personally, and what can be done to make the most of it. This article highlights interpersonal strategies for handling all forms of transitions -- from minuscule to life-bending.  Part 3 delves into organizational strategies for leading change. Change Ain't What It Used to Continue Reading ...

Difficult Behaviors at Work: Part 3

I Hate It When You Do That! (Do what?) By Daniel Robin Dealing with difficult people (or, more precisely, consultant-speak "behavior") begins with identifying and naming that which is so exasperating – you know, the types of behavior that drive you nuts, that trigger a strong reaction in you. Think, for a moment, about the people around you, and notice any behaviors that push your buttons. Continue Reading ...

Difficult Behaviors at Work: Part 2

Whose 'Stuff' Is It? By Daniel Robin When the boss bites. When the team cracks. When that jerk in the next cubicle …. These are few of my least favorite things. What are yours? What if indirectness, bad boundaries, and pushiness all manifest in one coworker, what can be done? In some ways, exasperating and annoying behaviors like being hyper-critical or defensive are harder to handle than Continue Reading ...

Difficult Behaviors at Work: Part 1

The Difficulty with Difficult People (Who, no rx me?) By Daniel Robin Each of us has a "difficult" person hiding inside. Some have it well hidden and only let it out on rare occasions – unleashing it at the driver of another car, viagra or during competitive sports, capsule or as a familiar loop with a family member. Still others, despite best efforts at self-control, are just one step away from Continue Reading ...

Workplace Power Dynamics: Part 4

Practical Power By Daniel Robin The previous article made a distinction between giving power away (never to be seen again) and sharing what power you have. Sharing power inevitably keeps the situation in your sphere of influence - it also provides a lot more fun and satisfaction. This article we'll get into practical applications of shared power and focus on situations where you'd want to resolve Continue Reading ...

Workplace Power Dynamics: Part 3

Hidden Sources of Power at Work By Daniel Robin Many of us hold archaic assumptions about power … and there are precious few new archetypes or role models. To me, the greatest power comes from collaboration … from skillfully going inside our differences and working cooperatively toward building something better than we had at the start. The key here will be to use those forms of power that Continue Reading ...

Workplace Power Dynamics: Part 2

Fun Things to do with Power By Daniel Robin Last article kicked around the dynamics of interpersonal power; this one applies these dynamics in some sticky situations. Because power is a central issue in working out disputes, this theme will culminate some loose ends that when mushed together can be used to gain leverage, cooperation and results. Two of the toughest situations are when the other Continue Reading ...

Workplace Power Dynamics: Part 1

Power Plays With People By Daniel Robin In a workplace mediation session, one employee set a powerful boundary with their manager, saying: "I'll never let you tell me what to do. I'll listen carefully to your request, and then I'll let you know how I'll do it, and by when. You have a problem with that? Try joining the Army; then you can order people around and get away with it." Somebody had Continue Reading ...

Initiating and Sustaining Change at Work: Part 3

Organizational Pathways:  Strategies for Leading Change By Daniel Robin This is the third installation in a three-part series on dealing with workplace change. So far we've explored personal strategies (Part 1) and interpersonal strategies (Part 2) to help make transitions less stressful and more humane; this article dives into how organizations can use the change process to effectively manage Continue Reading ...

Fear: Part 3

Three Faces of Fear in the Workplace By Daniel Robin The previous article brought workplace fear into the spotlight – not so we could keep a watchful eye on it while getting paranoid, ambulance but so we can begin to turn it into mutual gain. How? Understand it’s many faces: this article pinpoints the types of fear that zap productivity and cause needless suffering, sale providing tools Continue Reading ...