Many psychologists would agree that positive reinforcement is significantly more effective than punishment. Many executives would agree employee recognition leads to an increased bottom line. Many doctors would agree that the release of dopamine in the brain whenever we hear something we enjoy is a powerful thing. And then there are the studies.Ragan.com shares a collection of studies that sets the record straight, direct f...

Have you heard the saying that goes something like this: if you don’t know who the office jerk is, it’s probably you?You might be a well-intentioned manager that feels like a team player, but there might be something about your approach that prohibits your employees and colleagues from agreeing.Columbia Business School suggests those who are rough around the edges at work don’t necessarily know it. “Finding the middle groun...

Salary negotiations can be a major pain point for most employees and even managers. There’s a way to do it and garner results and a way to do it ineffectively. The different rests in these few dos and don’ts.Don’t…Be RidiculousWhile you should ask for a fair salary, be sure to avoid naming a figure that’s absurdly high in the hopes it will just be negotiated down. Few things can halt a salary negotiation quite like an unrea...

Change can ruffle the feathers of any company making it a great time for good managers to shine. An effective leader helps ease team tensions while paving the way for open-minded, forward thinking; providing both a safe space for employees to feel secure and a growing company that nurtures change.But saving the day is easier said than done so if you’re facing impending change and are uncertain about its possible effects, st...

Nobody’s perfect and we all come chock full of our own personal bad habits. But what if your undesirable habits are piling up and creating a case against your work success? If you think you might be committing some office faux pas and are interested in making some small steps to improvement, ask yourself if any of the following bad habits ring true for you: Exaggerating the Truth You may feel you need to “pr...

The new year is a great reboot button. With the clarity of a successful year behind you and a clean slate ahead of you, your perspective has never been better. Is something missing? Are there career milestones or new workplace adventures you’d like to reach but at this rate seem impossible? Take this opportunity to start fresh and prioritize your career goals with these Warren Buffet encouraged steps. 1. Figure out wha...

Are You Your Own Worst Enemy? When I work with clients, I often notice two distinct types of individuals. The first group consists of self-reliant clients who are eager to make breakthroughs. They want to change how they approach their job search and/or career advancement. They know what they are currently doing is not netting them the results they want. They celebrate having new tools and practicing using new method...

In my executive coaching work, I’m often asked how I help people reach the next level and achieve their goals. My simple response to that question is — Make your conversations count. Every conversation. How flattered would you feel if an acquaintance you met once remembered not only your name but also details about what you said? My guess is you’d feel flattered and impressed that your words were remembere...

If you are one of the many who are unemployed or anticipate being out of work, read on.When you lose a job, whether by choice or not, you may feel loss, fear and its helpful cousin, anxiety.It may have been a miserable situation that you couldn't wait to leave. You may start beating yourself up (mentally and emotionally) for having stayed too long, for lack of foresight and for the dread of having to begin a job search.Thes...