I had turned the phone-ringer down, way down, because it was annoying when the phone rang. Whatever the reason for a call to my department (event-planning for the hotel), it couldn’t be that important, could it? I didn’t get away with that hands-off approach for long, however. Soon, I was asked if my phone was […]
Make a Career Change Without a Career Move
3 Effective Tactics for Dealing with Your Type-A Boss
I didn’t want to walk to the dark end of the hospital’s hallway. “You have to cover that exit.” My boss, Diana, the director of education for the hospital, pointed with her acrylic-tipped finger. I looked from where we stood in a bright corridor, and counted the hallway doors – sixteen; eight on either side. […]
What We Can Gain from Awkwardness at Work
The football field was a mass of excited high school grads, teary-eyed parents, and bored younger siblings. My fellow graduates and I had just tossed our caps in the air and relished the sight of their chaotic arcs against the blue sky. I jogged over to where my cap landed, picked it up, and dusted […]
Why Do People Steal? The Real Reason Your Co-Worker is Stealing Stationery
“My baby!” the woman screamed, as my boss Ivan and the thief smacked against the floor not far from her baby’s stroller. Ivan hefted the thief to his feet, while Amy, my other co-worker, and I picked up the stolen blue jeans. Aside from the woman’s exclamation and a few stares from nearby shoppers, we […]
The Real Reason Why Your Co-Worker is Making Mistakes at Work
Kelly, a co-worker and an accounting wizard for my company, approached my desk. I held my breath. When Kelly approached, it often meant she’d found an error in one of my spreadsheets and intended to bring it to my attention. “Hi.” Kelly hovered at the edge of my desk, and crossed her arms. “So…” She […]
5 Modern Lessons from an Old-School Secretary
“Where is he? Is he here?” The Senior VP of Sales and Marketing stood with his hands on his hips and directed his question to the empty reception area. I looked from the receptionist to the Senior VP, and back again. The receptionist ducked her head. Apparently she thought I, the summer-temp, should be the […]
What if You’re Not Sure It’s Sexual Harassment?
“That’s what you think, kitten.” Allen snickered and sat back in his chair. I blinked and looked at my other co-worker, Lauren, seated next to him. She frowned. Around us, our co-workers laughed and enjoyed their catered lunch. Moments before, Lauren and I were discussing what we thought it would have been like to work […]
Advice to My Past Self on How to Deal with Conflict at Work
The blood rushed to my face as they mocked me. The skin on my neck and forearms felt hot and cold. I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so I fiddled with the mouse and moved papers around on the desk. I wished I was anywhere else. I watched them, the two girls, […]
How to Find a Better Mindset for Mistakes at Work
I opened the delivery confirmation email from UPS and experienced a prickly feeling in my stomach. I’d created 21 UPS labels the day before, one for the recipient in question, for a letter still under review by a Senior VP. The 21 labels were still on my desk. The email from UPS, however, indicated I […]
This is Why You Should Open Doors for Your Co-Workers
Always be the one to hold a door open for a co-worker. It’s the perfect power play.” I heard this on a self-improvement podcast. The advice went something like this: hold a door open for a co-worker and you step into a position of authority, in the guise of generosity. You, the gatekeeper, enable the […]