Monday Morning Coffee

Today’s workforce includes members of five different generations, and for managers, that presents both opportunities and challenges. There are several ways to reap the benefits of generational diversity. First, challenge stereotypes. It’s easy to make over-generalizations about one generation or another but those characterizations can be harmful and foster dissent. Debunk them, and encourage mutual respect. Ask your team to be open about their preferences, particularly around communication. Different generations…

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We all feel guilty at times. Why didn’t I start that project earlier? Why did I make that comment in the meeting? Why didn’t I apply for that job? Pervasive, second guessing yourself like this can waste valuable energy. Here are three ways to stop the guilt cycle. Take care of yourself before assisting others. You can’t help anyone (whether it’s your boss, friend, or family member) if you’re a…

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If you work in a place where pandemic restrictions are easing up, and you’re headed back to the office, it may be tempting to get back to “business as usual.” But this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on how you want your team to operate differently going forward. Which new practices do you want to keep? Which ones do you want to let go? Start by identifying which new…

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Do you ever wonder when the first Labor Day was celebrated or who decided that we should even celebrate Labor Day, or do you just know that you get a long weekend the first Monday of every September and that’s really all that matters to you?  Well, stop for just a minute this morning for a quick history lesson. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5,…

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If you plan to work remotely full-time — or most of the time — how can you stay visible while the rest of your colleagues are in the office? Here are four ways to ensure that you’re viewed as an equally valued contributor: Make sure you’re meeting or even exceeding deadlines. While the pandemic may have decreased stigma about working from home, some leaders who return to the office may…

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All too often, managers behave as if relationships are built at the office holiday party and other social events and are hindered by actually working. If the only way you build connections with your employees is by chitchatting, you’ll either spend valuable time not working or overbook your calendar with social obligations. Instead of relying on long lunches or happy-hour drinks, build good relationships with your employees by making sure…

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It’s natural to go into a difficult conversation focused on what you want from the situation. But thinking only about your goals won’t give you and your counterpart the common ground necessary to resolve the conflict. You need a good understanding of what the other person’s objectives and interests are. They had a rationale for the way they’ve behaved so far (even if you don’t agree with it), so what…

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If you have been following my Monday Morning Coffee (MMC) since inception, you know by now that I have volunteered every year, for the past 15 years, as a Counselor for Camp Oasis, a camp with kids that are dealing with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) which is a term for two conditions, Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.  I volunteer because I have been living with Crohn’s Disease since I was…

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The only thing worse than having a long to-do list is not knowing how you’re going to get everything done. Timeboxing can help: It’s a way of converting your to-do list into blocks of time on your calendar, so you have a plan for what to do and when. Start by looking at your to-do list and figuring out each task’s deadlines. For example, if a promotional video has to…

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Negotiations can get emotional, to say the least. Whether you’re asking for a raise, more resources for your team, or to restructure your position, you might feel anxious, reluctant, or worried. But you won’t be successful if you’re worked up, so take steps to handle your emotions. Before the negotiation, ask yourself how your counterpart might respond — and why. Doing so will help you identify potential setbacks and gather…

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You don’t need grand gestures to show your employees you appreciate them. Sometimes, it’s the little, everyday things that matter most. Start by checking in with each of your employees regularly. Give them the space to share what they’re doing or working on. You should also give balanced feedback. Praise is meaningful, but employees also want to know where they can improve. Just don’t give both types of feedback at…

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