burnout in careers

What if your workplace is toxic?

What is a toxic workplace and how will I know if mine is toxic?

The Burnout Queens love to share good articles and this is a good article in Inc.com (Marcel Schwantes) based on solid research out of Harvard.

 

The article titled 5 signs of a toxic workplace that should be stopped immediately (Inc.com magazine), summarises who toxic workers are and what they do that is so counter-productive to the company and their workers.

“much has been written about hiring and developing top performers in the workplace, but less attention has been paid to the effects of toxic workers on their organizations.  [toxic] workers are not low-functioning or low-status employees…[they]are talented and productive….”

Here are this article’s 5 signs of a toxic office.

  1. Gossip is spreading
  2. Morale is at an all-time low
  3. Managers are dictators not leaders
  4. The human touch is lost
  5. Health issues and absenteeism are on the rise

These are just some of the situations our Executive Clients find themselves in, many of them disheartened by their company culture, disillusioned by an absent listening leadership.  Others grapple with questioning whether they should stay or take the opportunity to leave and place themselves in their dream career move. This all leads to low morale and possibly burnout, which has a knock-on effect on many leaders, teams, executives and ultimately erodes the company’s bottom-line.

Read the full article and get really honest with yourselves. Next step? Implement healthy, rather than punitive change. To ignore and keep following the same path is to risk losing your most talented to the competition.

The step after that?  Get in touch (www.livethesolution.com) .  We coach Highly Sensitive Executives in these situations all the time and they learn to thrive.

How this executive gets a higher company profile

Metaphors are powerful motivators that can lead to implementing executive skills that succeed. Here’s an example my Executive client and I focused on recently.

The goal:  He needs a ‘higher profile’ in the company.

Our strategy:  Blow your own horn.  Alright he says, what exactly do you have in mind.  We discussed how his position is an important and integral part of the workings of the company data and production, but it’s a boring piece of the wheel.  You know, he says, it’s not ‘sexy’ and doesn’t stand out against products and sales.

So how does the ‘less than sexy department head’ get his group noticed and appreciated more often.   One way…Blow your own horn by…

  1. Speaking up about what your team is progressing with,  succeeding at, and why it is always integral to the smooth running of the company.
  2. Preemptive strikes.  Consistently be subtle about announcing his worth (and that of the team),  rather than waiting to be asked and having to explain.

Offence, defence, or pre-emptive. Whatever you call it, it really comes down to making the details of what you do and how you do it much more visible.  It’s a competitive world in business now, so if you aren’t willing to speak up and speak out you may just get passed by.

Right, this guy is on board.  The best part of the call happened as we were about to sign off. He rolled up his sweater sleeve only to reveal a tattoo of a tuba!  Blow Your Own Horn indeed.

This guy knows how to do this already.  He just needed a little supportive nudge.

(from executive calls at Live the Solution)

 

Travelling tips for our executive clients

We have a few of our Highly Sensitive Executives either in-flight or just returning from Conference Season in all parts of the globe.  It’s not uncommon these days to hop the globe, a continent, or many continents all in one go.  The time changes can be challenging to say the least.

We found this great ‘tips’ article in The Daily Telegraph’s Lifestyle section that may be just what these ‘doctors’ ordered as a good way to curb jetlag and still be sane at the end of your business obligations.

Enjoy and fly safe!

The Burnout Queens xx

READ THE ARTICLE HERE:  7 ways to outsmart jet lag.

Email skills up to snuff? Part 3

Here’s the third Email Mistake that makes all of us look unprofessional according to Inc.com.  It’s easy to do when you are bombarded by inbox overload or are squeezed for time. However, this mistake can make the best of us steam with irritation (at least it does me)

Slow response or no response at all.

The Inc article makes it clear that you should acknowledge receiving an email from someone, even if you quickly answer ‘got it’. I am so happy that this is what our VA does each time I send work from the UK to the US. One word from her that it landed in her inbox allows me to just move on knowing the work will be handled.  Bless her she’s a highly sensitive person as well, so she ‘gets’ the importance of replies.

However, (this is a big irritation to me and most HSP’s I know) if I send an email with substantial information, opinion or suggestions in it, if I send a client a personalised visualisation, if I email a colleague with a joint business idea…I want to hear that it was received!!!!!! (notice irritation growing.)

You can double my irritation (and confusion) if a colleague or client wants to book time with me, and I take quick action to reply and offer a time slot (time zones are a challenge when working globally) and then I wait for a no-or-slow response…!  Nothing irks me more than being asked for something, delivering, and then waiting for confirmation! I am left thinking several things.

  1. My email never arrived or is languishing somewhere in the Ethernet.
  2. The request for my time wasn’t that important in the first place (but I am keeping a timeslot open which means it’s still on my mind).
  3. The person is lazy or impolite because they aren’t checking their inbox…hello (either way I’m starting to steam)!
  4. They feel they are too busy and oops, ‘sorry it went to the bottom of my to-do list’.

Regardless of the WHY of no-or-slow replies to emails, the article (and I totally agree) suggests we filter and prioritise our emails and always send a quick reply regardless of restraints…(got it, got this, will reply tomorrow, I’ll get back to you on this asap).

I always use these suggestions and I always appreciate when others do the same. Don’t you?

(hello…are you there)

(hello?)

Hmm, note to self, better check this article reached everybody!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Check out the other 2 Email Mistakes that Make Us Look Unprofessional.

Email skills up to snuff?

Email skills up to snuff? Part 2

 

Email skills up to snuff? Part 2

Last week I shared my HSP reaction to the first of five mistakes that make you look unprofessional when sending emails. It’s a great Inc.com article we love to share, and you can catch the first blog here: http://theburnoutqueens.com/email-skills-up-to-snuff/

This week I want to share my HSP thoughts on the second of the five mistakes that make you look unprofessional when sending emails.

 

2.  Choosing email instead of private messaging.

If you are an HSP like me, there is nothing worse than getting mounds of emails in your inbox each morning (and throughout the day). It sets my ‘overwhelm button’ into virtual overdrive.

I have to admit I used to be guilty of doing this, but no more. When I get it from others though, I thank my lucky stars I listened to Dr Toby saying “quit while you’re ahead!”

What am I talking about?

This article suggests using a private messaging system or sending a text is the perfect way to send off a one-liner to friends, family and colleagues. Don’t keep sending back replies to emails.

How many times have you sent your final thoughts or suggestions for business in an email and the receiver keeps replying with small little phrases to keep the email conversation alive (did I just hear Dr T’s voice again). There is always someone who keeps the string attached by replying ‘ok’, or ‘you’re welcome…no problem’, or ‘me too’, or just ‘yep’. This creates at least five extra emails returning to my inbox.

I DON’T LIKE CROWDS. This is crazy and annoying. I just want to say ‘enough already’, but that would net me another reply I’m sure…

…’sorry’!

Next time you are about to hit the reply button with a little extra something, you might want to try to eliminate the urge to be the ‘nice-friendly-person.’    I think the receiver will understand (I know I will be relieved).

Number three next week. If you have a comment or agree (and disagree) with me, leave your thoughts below. We love hearing from other HSPs!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

 

PS:  If you want to read the original article click here https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/5-email-mistakes-that-make-you-look-extremely-unprofessional.html?cid=email

 

 

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