Is There Any Good News?

As we near the end of 2008 I think we need to consider all the things that we can be grateful for. There are many horrible bosses, horrible workers, and horrible places to work BUT there are a lot of good things happening in the world.

It’s not all gloom and doom although the news media would have us believe that the end is near.

Given that the holiday season is a time for giving thanks for what we have I was curious to see if there was any GOOD NEWS on the workplace front.

At the same time I found myself reading The Power of Serving Others  by Gary Morsch and Dean Nelson. Gary Morsch is a physician and founder of HEART TO HEART an international relief organization. Dean is a journalist.

The premise of the book is that we ALL have something to contribute to making the world a better place to live in:

Everyone has something to give!

Most people are willing to give if they see the need and the opportunity!

Everyone can do something for someone right now!

Many of the examples that they give in the book are about helping people in war-torn countries or in places like Calcutta where there is overwhelming poverty.

BUT, one of the examples relates to the workplace. It was around Christmas, 1995 when the local textile manufacturing plant in Lawrence, Massachusetts burned to the ground. This textile plant was the main employer in the town and when it burned down 3000 people were out of work.

Everyone believed that the owner would close the plant or move it offshore where labor was cheaper.

What happened, in fact, was pretty amazing. The plant’s owner, Aaron Feuerstein, grandson of the company’s founder, decided to rebuild the plant in Lawrence.

Not only did he rebuild the plant but he paid the 3000 employees their full wages while the plant was under construction.

 So, there are lots of good news stories and there are things that each one of us can do to make the world a better place.

Wishing you a healthy and prosperous 2009!

Lesley

 

Build Trust by Reducing Conflict in the Workplace

Conflict! Most of us would prefer to avoid it. I know I would. BUT, conflict is a normal part of life and we are stuck with it.

Conflict occurs when there are differences–of opinions, needs, values, beliefs, goals, etc. etc.

These differences are not inherently bad, in fact, when ‘managed’ properly these differences can lead to increased creativity and better problem solving. Unfortunately, many leaders are ill equiped to deal with conflict in the workplace. Come to think of it most of us are ill equipped to deal with conflict in the workplace.

We would just as soon pretend it doesn’t exist which is understandable since conflict resolution takes time and energy and some skill.

BUT, if left unresolved it will fester and can take on a life of its own. If unresolved conflict will destroy trust, teamwork, communication, productivity and even careers.

So, what can we do? First of all we need to recognize the conflict. Then we need to resolve it or find someone who can.

All leaders need to develop good conflict resolution skills. In fact the world would be a better place if every single one of us had an understanding of conflict and how to deal with it effectively.

The Conflict Resolution Network in Australia has been set up to do just that. The philosophy of the CRN is this:

The resolution of world conflict does not lie only with governments. Everybody can support international peace endeavors. The Conflict Resolution Network is a peace program with daily relevance.

The conflict-resolving individual helps build an effective economic system. They build friendships and intimacy around them.

This organization provides a lot of excellent resources for FREE including training manuals, newsletters, posters and other tools that you can use immediately.

There is a lot of healing to be done and you are not alone!

Peace!

Lesley

You’re Fired

In the reality TV show the Apprentice, Donald Trump loved to say, “YOU’RE FIRED!” He loved the phrase so much he wanted to have it trademarked. Strange man.

Personally I don’t know anyone who has lost their job due to the recent economic mess that we have found ourselves in. Actually that’s not TRUE I do know of one fellow who lost his job.

Who’s to blame? I’m too polite to point fingers but we all know that corporate greed is part of the problem. Corporations like to point fingers at employees accusing them of wanting too much money (e.g. liveable wages) and employees love to point fingers at their employers. What did I say in my last post about finding a way to work together?

So, thousands of people have lost their jobs or will lose their jobs before the end of the winter. Two businesses have closed near where my brother Paul lives in Vernon. These were family businesses that employed a fair number of people. Small businesses like these haven’t a hope in you know what of receiving any kind of “bail out package”.

Losing one’s job is not the end of the world. I know because I was fired (without cause) a couple of years ago. In hindsight it was the best thing that could have happened but at the time I certainly didn’t think so. My “firing” came as a surprise to my colleagues and left a lot of people feeling angry and confused. Come to think of it I was feeling a bit that way myself.

There are many ways to “terminate” an employee or a whole group of them. Don’t you just love that phrase terminate? Who came up with that one? Anyway, if you are in a position in which you have to “terminate” someone here are a few tips from Your Workplace Magazine.

• Provide people with options. If people are being let go without case provide them with options re how they will leave the organization. Don’t just escort them out the door like criminals.
• Communicate to all members of the organization. Give them information about what is going on. Be honest!
• When people are “terminated” make sure everyone knows how they contributed to the organization and how they will be missed. But only if this is true.
• If you are in management be ready to answer questions. Those who are lucky enough to still be working will most likely have some questions about their colleague or colleagues who have been let go. The underlying question always is “Am I next?”
• Encourage people to keep in touch!

In other words be human. Remember, we are all in this together!

Have a great week!

Economic Crisis-Has Your Workplace Changed?

According to the experts we are now officially in an economic recession. Does this mean the end of the gains that were made in some of our workplaces over the past decade? Does this economic crisis give employers the right to cut wages, reduce benefits, and treat workers badly? NO! 

What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours (a great song by the way). For the past few years jobs have been plentiful and workers have had, if not the upper hand, then at least better negotiating power. Even fast food giants like Kentucky Fried Chicken have raised their minimum wage.

Many employers had to scramble to find creative ways to recruit and retain their employees. There were just too many jobs and not enough qualified people to fill all positions.

So, all of a sudden, things have changed, and employers are once again in the “driver’s seat”.

What does this mean for those people lucky enough to keep their jobs?

Have you noticed a difference in your workplace?

Experts are also predicting that the economy will start to improve around this time next year. Smart employers will think long term and work with their employees to “weather the current financial storm”.  Perhaps we are ready for a new employer/employee relationship???

What would that look like?

Enjoy your week!

Lesley