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Avoid Taboo Topics in the Workplace
It's great to make friends at work. The work environment and enjoying who you work with are many times the reasons why workers stay at their job.
However, I recently read an article about 13 topics that should not be discussed with co-workers. They include intimate details about your life and career, such as wild weekends, divorce proceedings and salary information. Not to mention how annoying Peggy, who sits in the cubicle next to you, is on a daily basis.
Although you may forge friendships with your co-workers, it is true that certain information and topics of conversations should be kept to yourself, or at the very least be selective about whom you share your thoughts and feelings with.
So here are a couple of topics that you should share with co-workers:
- The new computer class that you took at the community college. Not only is it helpful information, but if your managers hear about it they will be impressed with your desire for continuing education.
- Your favorite volunteer or community activity. Monday morning cooler talk always starts with your weekend. Although part of your weekend may have included a rowdy club, choose to mention the beach clean-up or hiking trip you took instead.
- Information about competitors or industry news. Not only will you position yourself as a leader in the office, but you really are helping the company by keeping others informed.
- Good news that you know to be true. Congratulate and praise to others about the co-worker who just received a promotion or accolade from management. You will be spreading goodwill throughout the office, and your team support will shine through.
Posted by Brent Short on January 22, 2008 at 5:04 PM
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Comments
Always good advice. So many employees seem to think of their co-workers as close friends without realizing that what they say at work about their personal lives can have career consequences.
Posted by Amy at CareerSearch on January 24, 2008 1:27 PM
Career Advice: Are You Too Busy To Take An Aspirin?
by
Ramon Greenwood
Bosses who truly want to achieve career success delegate as much responsibility and authority to their subordinates as they can handle. Therefore, they have more time and energy to advance toward their career goals by shouldering duties of greater visibility and value to their employer.
Effective subordinates take on as much responsibility and authority as they can carry. This is the way they can grow into more rewarding jobs.
This dynamic of career rewards is as obvious as the nose on your face. Then, why don't more people do it?
First off, ambitious careerists rarely want to give up power. Egos get involved. Sharing of responsibility and authority--sharing of power--goes against the grain of what has propelled them forward on their career path. The ambitious manager who really wanted to give up turf is a rare bird indeed. But they do it because they know it is the only way to get ahead.
The Headache Syndrome
Then there's what I call the headache syndrome, as in "I've got a headache, but I don't have time to take an aspirin."
It goes like this:
"I am swamped," the boss declares. "I have to have some help. I'd like to delegate some of my responsibilities, but I can't find anyone who is ready to take on more work. It would take me longer to find someone willing and capable to do the work than it does to do the job myself. And besides, I can't be sure the job will be done the right way if I don't do it myself."
Down the hallway, subordinates have a different view. "The boss won't delegate responsibilities." They are resigned to the situation, so they stop offering to take on more work; their growth is restricted. "Why should I keep trying to help the boss," they say. "I've got a easy thing of it. Let the boss do the work, if that's what he wants. Just send me my paycheck."
The Fortress Mentality
These conflicting and self-defeating views result in a fortress mentality where no one wins.
But hold on. This siege creates big opportunities for truly ambitious careerists at all levels of the organizational pyramid.
Career Tip: There are six actions you can take to capitalize on this situation if you are willing to act aggressively with common sense as your guideline.
1. Achieve 110 percent of your goals.
2. Make sure your boss is aware of your accomplishments.
3. Delegate responsibility to others who can do the job as well as you can.
4. Work diligently to improve your knowledge and skills.
5. Volunteer to take on more responsibility.
6. Never steal the spotlight from your boss.
---
To get common sense advice on how to achieve your career goals subscribe to Ramon Greenwood's free semi-monthly newsletter and blog. Go to ">http://www.commonsenseatwork.com> His take-it-to-the bank advice comes from a world of experience, including serving as Senior Vice President of American Express, an entrepreneur, professional director, career coach and author.
Posted by Ramon Greenwood on February 26, 2008 11:02 AM