Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

If You Knew the True Story - Workplace Coach Blog

If you knew the true story you'd understand

True story for our time, what's really happening...how it hits home for you

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

The Blame Shifter - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I admit it. I snap at coworkers. And sometimes customers. Maybe once a week. Not a lot. Only when …

Giving the blame-shifter 180 degree advice...words for someone who just doesn't get it.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Zoom Meetings a Train Wreck & Yikes, Breastfeeding? - Workplace Coach Blog

Effective Zoom meetings and breastfeeding on Zoomn

How to hold effective Zoom team meetings & a woman's right to breastfeed on a departmental Zoom call.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

The Right Way to Apologize - Workplace Coach Blog

4 steps to an an effective apology

The 4 key parts of a genuine apology: for you to hand to someone who needs it.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Can I Recover From My Supervisory Mistakes? - Workplace Coach Blog

How to recover if you make the classic new supervisor mistakes

Can you recover from 2 classic supervisory mistakes?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Hate Office Politics? Have to Work Under Your Underqualified Former Coworker? - Workplace Coach Blog

Office politics, you can choose not to play, and if so, you may be out of the game

If you hate office politics and an underqualified team member gets a promotion, what are your options?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

An Applicant’s Bad Date (or Worse) Behavior Torpedoes His Job Offer - Workplace Coach Blog

Withdrawing a job offer if a current employee tells you an applicant date-raped her

A date rape guy almost gets hired, she's willing to quit, how does her company handle it?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

COVID Knocks...Don't Let It In the Door - Workplace Coach Blog

COVID Knocks, a short story in 101 words; don't let it in the door!

A GREAT fast 101 word short story & my experience w/ the 2nd COVID vaccination.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Racism in the Workplace - Workplace Coach Blog

Racism in the workplace; skills & strategies to create respect & break down "us" versus "them"

Racism in the workplace; time for honest, difficult discussions & dashing assumptions

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

The Price You Pay for Avoiding Conflict - Workplace Coach Blog

You can't afford the price you pay for avoiding conflict.

You pay a price for avoiding conflict. The conflict stays, grows, remains a black cloud. And, you're not happy.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Polarization is Killing Our Country: 7 Concrete Steps to Heal - Workplace Coach Blog

6 steps for healing our polarized, divided country; the stakes are high; we can heal our divide

We need to figure this out. We need to heal. We have more in common than divides us. But our nation is in turmoil. Your thoughts?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

When Your Boss Asks You to Lie - Workplace Coach Blog

Maintaining your ethics when your boss asks you to lie. How to tell the truth and keep your boss happy at the same time--in the short run.

When your boss asks you to lie & you don't want to lose your job: how to safely voice the truth until you can get out of the job

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

COVID quarantines us, but doesn't stop us - Workplace Coach Blog

COVID quarantines us but doesn't stop us.

It's a cold & dark winter, made more challenging by COVID, but 2 dogs & Alaska's beauty change all that.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

You Lost Out; The Promotion You Felt Was Yours Went to Someone Else - Workplace Coach Blog

Dealing with career setback so they're temporary, not permanent & so you win the next promotoin

The 5 steps to take if you lose out on a promotion--so you land the next one.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

If It's My Supervisor Who Creates the Problems, Can I Keep My Job? - Workplace Coach Blog

When it's the supervisor who creates the problem, what recourse do I have if I get fired?

I work in a high stress job & my supervisor is a jerk. I've just been fired. Do I have any recourse?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My Job is at Risk from an Alcoholic Boss - Workplace Coach Blog

When you work for an alcoholic boss, realize you can't change their behavior

When you work for a functional alcoholic who makes you grit your teeth, and then you or he steps over the line...what's next?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Sexually Suggestive Texts From A Senior Manager You Can't Afford to Tick Off - Workplace Coach Blog

Sexually suggestive texts from a client you can't afford to tick off

What to do what you receive sexually suggestive texts from a client you have to deal with & don't want to lose your job or hurt your company.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

5 people problems and how to solve them – Medical Office Manager

From my monthly Medical Office Manager column: 5 people problems & how to solve them: stopping a bully senior managers w/o losing your job; don't let pessimists take your energy down; "he's (your supervisor) just not into you"; & the workplace jerk

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Dealing with Ms. Snark...Wait...Who's the Problem? - Workplace Coach Blog

Anger management and office politics

Dealing with an office politics winner; what you gain from anger management when she pushes your buttons

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Failure Is Not An Option: How Not to Let Anything Throw You Off Your Game - Workplace Coach Blog

Playing your A game when you're frustrated; how to tunnel through or use frustration energy.

Play your "A" game; handle your frustration; create a breakthrough; use the frustration energy

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Getting Your Mojo Back: Motor Through Set-backs to Joy - Workplace Coach Blog

Deal with setbacks in life, get your mojo back and find joy

When life wallops you, aim for a quick recovery.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Make Your Career Dream a Reality - Workplace Coach Blog

What are your career goals and dreams? Make them happen.

3 essential steps to making career dream and goals a reality -- all within your reach

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Director Has Ice Water in Her Veins - Workplace Coach Blog

What can employees do when they work for a problem boss?

What can employees do when they work with a manager w/ ice water in her veins, practical suggestions

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

When You Work for a Clueless Manager who Doesn't "Get It" - Workplace Coach Blog

What can an employee do when s/he works for a clueless manager who doesn't get it; how can s/he take the message higher?

Your options as an employee when you work for a clueless, problem manager.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Make Something Special Happen in 2021 - Workplace Coach Blog

Make something special happen in 2021; this is the year to realize your dreams's; 3 effective strategies

You can realize your dream this year. Why this year? Because last year changed everything, so why not this year, only this time for the better. What do you want different this year? Three concrete steps for realizing your dream.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

What Employees Want for Christmas 2020: Someone Who “Gets It” (part 3 of a series) - Workplace Coach Blog

Employee engagement, morale and productivity rests on empathy--how do you build into your workplace?

Empathy, understanding, support, compassion--what you can give coworkers & employees that costs 0 but means a lot.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

You Worked for a Crook Who Fired You Abruptly? Don't Waste Time Badmouthing Your Ex-boss; Explore Your Legal Options. - Workplace Coach Blog

After years of hard work, you're fired abruptly for no reason, and he took advantage all along

What are your options when you've been fired? What do you say in an interview when you've been first? Do you have any rights as a contractor?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Framed by a Vengeful Coworker - Workplace Coach Blog

When you've been framed by a coworker who put the moves on & you said "no"

Framed by a vengeful coworker ...what if the real story is he came on to you & you told him no...but he has workplace power over you?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Love/hate relationship with my boss - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: My boss and I have a love/hate relationship. He’s a good guy and smart but rough around the edges. …

How to resign & get a good reference letter when you've had a problematic relationship with your boss.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Avoiding a Meltdown: When Something Has To Give & You Fear It's You - Workplace Coach Blog

When you're close to a job meltdown, how to balance the stress you take on

When the tsunami of workload stress, COVID & threaten to wash over you like a wave that takes you away from shore--what to do first.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Who Needs to Take Action When Your New Colleagues Make It Clear You Are Not Welcome - Workplace Coach Blog

Who needs to step to the plate when mean girls target a new employee?

You're treated like a pariah by your new colleagues -- through no fault of your own -- and neither your supervisor nor HR step in to help

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Social Media Attention: how to honestly attract viewers - Workplace Coach Blog

Social media marketing: real, honest, authentic & of value to your customers

Social media visibility; what works and doesn't work when you want to become known and valued for your services

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

If You're Cyber-bullied, Here's What To Do - Workplace Coach Blog

It happened You thought it only happened in the movies or bad spy novels. Now, it’s happened to you. Unknown …

It happened. You've been cyber-bullied. Here's what to do, the traps to avoid, the actions to take.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Making the Best of Winter Despite COVID: because of you, we overcome the despites; thank you - Workplace Coach Blog

We got this despite the challenges, the is much that's good, though it takes effort and help

Despite COVID, shedding weight, writing, and connecting with readers.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

What makes a bully & can they change? - Workplace Coach Blog

Can bullies change, can victims change, what makes a bully?

Can you change a bully? What creates a bully? Understanding gives you a framework for change.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Supervisor Confessed His Romantic Feelings for Me - Workplace Coach Blog

Supervisor stepped over the line when he confessed his romantic feelings

What if the supervisor expresses his romantic feelings & when you don't respond & he feels threatened, you need to leave?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Sticking My Neck Out & Asking You To Say What You Want In This Book - Workplace Coach Blog

A how to guide for managing for accountability

Asking my articles/blog post readers for their thoughts & their help.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

How Can I Remain Neutral in the Cold War Between My Supervisor and Co-worker? - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: My co-worker, “Aly,” texts on her cellphone held under her desk, surfs the Internet, fakes going to the bathroom …

Can you remain outside your supervisor/coworker's drama?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

1036 miles since COVID began - Workplace Coach Blog

We started walking to defeat COVID; we'll never stop.

Real life, the gym closed, what's a girl to do?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Turning the Tables on Workplace Bullies - Workplace Coach Blog

Outsmart workplace bullies by turning the tables on them

Here's how to turn the tables on a workplace bully; it's not your fault you got targeted, but the solution can be yours; you have tools to solve the problem

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Save Your Career From a Vindictive Manager's Targeting: Here's How - Workplace Coach Blog

Handling a bully manager without losing your job or reputation

You have recourse even when a powerful, vindictive manager targets you, you can blow the whistle, announce "game on" or leave with an attorney letter reminding them "don't you dare."

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Articles to help you navigate workplace & life challenges; articles to inspire - Workplace Coach Blog

real-life situations; on-target answers

Delivered to your in-box, seamlessly, for free; information you can use

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Does banter cross the line or does political correctness kill the fun? - Workplace Coach Blog

Banter and political correctness, are the victim or the problem?

Is it banter or is it showing favoritism--what happens when the employee doesn't buy in & thus doesn't give it up?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

What to do when your boss treats everyone badly - Workplace Coach Blog

Actions to take when you work for a bad boss

Options & strategies when you work for a bad boss.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Decoding Personality Conflicts - and who you drive crazy - Workplace Coach Blog

Fixing personality conflicts by understanding the 4 key personality types.

Who drives you crazy? Who do you drive crazy? Navigating your way through personality conflicts: a fresh framework that makes complete sense. .

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

COVID Powerlessness...or "we got this!" - Workplace Coach Blog

If you're feeling COVID fatigue or powerless over COVID, take control over yourself.

COVID fatigue & how to combat it,

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

These Homeless Men in South Africa Turned Lockdown Into a 'Life-Changing' Agricultural Project

A group of men in a COVID-19 homeless shelter in South Africa turned the lockdown into a successful agricultural project, here's how.

A reader to www.workplacecoachblog.com just posted this; I love the story and the interaction that readers are having on the blog.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My Manager Wants Me to Compromise My Ethics - Workplace Coach Blog

When your manager wants you to do the wrong thing, how do you keep your job?

Integrity: it's your choice. When your manager tries to make you compromise, you need to question the job; and you have diplomatic options.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Trouble at Wilderness Lodge - Workplace Coach Blog

Domestic violence IS your business

How do you handle abuse at work, when it's someone else being abused & s/he's too scared to come forward?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Scared to Tell My Boss He Needs to Lose Weight - Workplace Coach Blog

Can you tell your boss the honest truth? Or is it better to just shut up?

Would you tell a friend s/he needs to lose weight? What if the friend is your boss? Should you even broach the subject and if so, how?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Turned Down for a Job Despite Being More Than Qualified - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I’ve been looking for a job for two months without landing one.  It torches me that I’ve not even …

You have all the qualifications needed & more; you'd be the best candidate; how could they turn you down?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Passed Over for a Promotion I Deserved - Workplace Coach Blog

Passed over for a promotion you deserved

Passed over a promotion: here's how to learn what happened & how to turn bad news to your advantage.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Don’t Take a Bad Job; Ask These ?s First & Reference Check The Supervisor - Workplace Coach Blog

How to choose the right job

Questions to ask before you accept a job you'll regret; interview questions that impress an interviewer; reference checking your future supervisor.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

I told a little white lie; my boss hasn't figured it out - Workplace Coach Blog

Ethics, lying and doing the right thing.

A little white lie, then another to cover it up, until you're deep in trouble--how do you did yourself out?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My co-workers think I slept my way to the top. I didn't, but the rumors are taking their toll - Workplace Coach Blog

sexual harassment and sleeping with the boss

When you're accused of sleeping your way to the top, but didn't, but nothing you say makes a difference. Worse, you do like your boss in way that could mean more.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My Coworker Barges In, I Had Enough, I Swatted Her - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: My coworker barges into my office when I’m on the phone with customers and interrupts me with questions, derailing …

When a coworker just doesn't STOP and you've finally had enough.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My Job Bores Me To Tears, But I Don't Dare Jump - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: For the last eight months, I’ve tried everything I can think of to make myself like my job. Nothing …

When your job is boring but practical reasons lead you to stay.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

I Was Laid Off; Now That My Employer is Hiring Do I Get My Job Back? - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: My employer laid me off due to COVID-19 in April. The job scene is a disaster. I get up …

What rights do laid off employees have to regaining their former jobs? Do employees need to hire them back?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My Coworker Wants Me to Join Forces in Getting Rid of Our Supervisor - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: My co-worker and I had a horrible blowup last week. She invited me over to dinner. After dinner she …

Doing what's right, despite emotional blackmail.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

I Supervise An Employee So Different From Me I Can't Get A Read On Him - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I inherited three new direct reports when our management team downsized. One of them worries me. I don’t understand …

Your employee beats to a different drummer; can you still give him a fair shake? Extraverts & Introverts.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My Employer Asks Personally Invasive Questions; Do I Have to Answer? - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: My employer emailed me a health status questionnaire that’s due Friday. I’m used to and feel okay about questions …

Being asked personally invasive questions by your employer -- do you need to answer?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Not Sure What I'm Doing That Ticks Off My Coworkers: Is It That I'm Fast & Young? - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I like my job. I work hard and fast. I want to get ahead. This irritates two of my …

Is it you? Is it them? Can your coworkers kill your promotion chances because they don't like that you work faster, harder, better than they?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My Boss Cheats Customers But I Don't Want to Lose My Job - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: Three months ago, I finally found an employer that would let me work between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., …

When you learn your boss cheats customers & you want to hold on to your job, do you tell the customers, try again to talk w/ your boss, quit?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

3 Bully Tricks & How To Evade Them - Workplace Coach Blog

Bullies play tricks and wield weapons so they can dominate and win. If you’ve been on the wrong end of …

Bullies are full of tricks, but when you know them, you can evade them and even turn the tables.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

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Bullies have a lot of tricks & set many traps, but if you know the traps, you can avoid them, get out of them and even turn them on the bully.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Unemployment’s Ugly Sibling: Underemployment-What To Do If You're Underemployed - Workplace Coach Blog

You’re lucky to have a job, except you don’t feel lucky. Perhaps you work parttime but need full-time work. You …

Underemployiment is unemployment's ugly sibling: what do to if you don't have enough jb

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Sex Offender On-site; What Do I Need To Do? - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I work in a retail store undergoing a remodel in a mall next to other stores that teens and …

Sex offender on-site, employer takes no action, how you can protect yourself.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Employee Thought He Deserved the Job I Landed...Now Gunning for Me - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I recently landed a dream job managing a department for a strong, growing company. On my first day, I …

How to succeed when an employee guns for you.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

A Performance Improvement Plan Means Your Manager Plans to Fire You, Right? - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I’m been ordered to call you. Nothing personal against you, but I’m not having any. For the last year, …

When your manager gives you a performance improvement plan, should you start looking for a new job right away? And is your manager partially at fault?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My boss asked for feedback and I told the truth. Big mistake. What now? - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: After my boss made a presentation to staff that fell flat, he came into my office, closed the door, …

When a boss says "tell me what you really think," should you -- and what if you do and it backfires?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

The Workplace Jerk - Workplace Coach Blog

You’ve met him. The coworker with an attitude. Who mutters nasty comments under his breath and takes pleasure in being …

Workplace Jerks: their time needs to end--and you can do that:) How to rid the workplace & your life of jerks.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Bad References Haunt You: 2 Steps You Can Take Right Now - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: Our company isn’t doing well, and my current employer needs to lay me off. I’m on good terms with …

Steps you can take when a past problem w/ an employer results in bad references.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Targeted: New Supervisor Wants to Run Me Off - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: Note: this post addressed a question that came in through the Ask a Coach section of this blog. Two …

Character/career assassin tries to run you off & s/he has all the power as your new supervisor, what can you do to tackle this?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Failing Grade in Office Politics - Workplace Coach Blog

Note: This post responds to questions posed in the Ask a Coach section of workplacecoachblog.   Question: I’m getting a failing …

Office politics takes you down if you leave an Achilles heel showing -- unless you outsmart the manipulator

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Who Knew: a COVID short story in 101 words - Workplace Coach Blog

Who Knew  

A COVID short story in 101 words: Who Knew?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

When Politics Sours Workplace Friendships - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I’ve had lunch daily with the same three co-workers for almost four years. We share everything and have stayed …

When politics sours workplace friendship, is the only answer not saying what you believe?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Stopping a Bully Senior Manager Without Risking Your Job - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I face a situation that has no easy answer and no good solution. As the newly hired human resources …

You're not powerless when you're smart -- bullies have Achilles' heels -- just don't give up.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Staying Upbeat at Work Despite an Emotionally Abusive Spouse - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I work in sales and COVID-19 has knocked our business to its knees. I fear being laid off and …

No easy fix when you marry the wrong man.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Can You Write a Story that Makes Complete Sense in 101 Words?: Try This:) - Workplace Coach Blog

Different & Better

Writing for fun; writing because you create joy for yourself & others.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Protecting My Privacy from a Coworker's Prying Eyes - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: What rights do I have when my employer’s receptionist repeatedly invades my privacy by opening my personal mail?  I …

Protecting your privacy or asking the unreasonable? And do you out your coworker in front of the entire staff?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

When Your Boss is the Bully & Has All the Power - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: Soon after I started a job as an HR generalist, my new peers came to me saying, “I don’t …

Your boss thinks he has all the power; does he? You can leave. Or even better, you can outsmart him.

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Employee Threw Me Under the Bus - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: I’m a new supervisor and one of my employees threw me under the bus even though I’ve repeatedly helped …

Did the employee throw you under the bus or did you? Were you a supervisor or an enabler? What's the real truth?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

We Don't Want to Quit Over Our Manager's Gross Habit, Can You Help? - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: If it wasn’t so petty and disgusting, this would be funny. Our small company has one restroom. A lock …

A badly divorced manager takes his irritation at his ex-wife out on his female staff & they need him to cut it out

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

My Job Is In Jeopardy Over A Comment I Made to a Friend On My Own Time - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: When my company promoted me to supervisor, my best friend took me out for a drink. That night he …

As a supervisor, do you really think you'll away with rating your employees? And if your friend repeats what you said, who's responsible?

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Caught Job Hunting During the Workday - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: This morning my boss discovered I was job hunting during the workday. I have no idea how he figured …

Caught job hunting & fired -- it's truly time to move on

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Drama Queens & Kings: Office Politics on Steroids - Workplace Coach Blog

I work with two drama queens. “Arielle” is always sure I or others are out to get her and make …

When the drama queens start to take over, here's how to exercise "drama control"

Advice & Self-Help | Advice & Self-Help

Office Politics and the Mudslinger - Workplace Coach Blog

Question: Those of us who haven’t been laid off returned to the office two weeks ago. I’m somewhat ostracized; this …

Recognizing workplace saboteurs, what to look for; your way out if one targets you