Keys to a Positive Work Environment
Keep your employees informed – The more information your employees receive, the less they assume; and... the less chance for miscommunication and useless rumors and gossip.
- Transparency – Don’t hide things. If the goal is to work as a team, access to information is essential to success.
- Honesty – Information that you pass on to your employees must be true. 100% of the time!
Balance criticism with praise. – Correcting an employee’s mistakes is necessary and deciding on disciplinary action is appropriate, but also understand that people need to hear the good things they have done as well. People are motivated when they hear at least two praises for every criticism.
Public vs. Private - Praise in public, and more important...criticize in private.
Don’t over-work – Emphasize the importance of getting work done on time, meeting deadlines, and being productive. However, don’t forget the human factor. Unexpected circumstances occasionally arise and flexibility and caring build loyalty.
Learn to Laugh – Laughter is good for you. Remember to smile. Tell an appropriate funny joke here and there. Remember, that if you are poking fun at someone, it needs to be yourself. We spend way too much time at work to not enjoy the people we have around us.

The Corporate Couch - November/December 2009

Dear Dr. Mimi,
My boss doesn’t hide his contempt for me. He constantly criticizes me and he gives me the assignments that no one else will do. I don’t know what I did to deserve his rude behavior but I’m starting to lose my cool with him. Any advice?-
Scorned Staffer

Dear Scorned,
The term commonly used to describe your supervisor is “toxic.” Here are the four tips I commonly offer clients who work with a toxic boss:
1. Don’t take it personally. You’re a person first and an employee second. If your supervisor starts screaming at you or acts in some other way that is inappropriate be polite but make a choice not to buy into it.
2. Don’t compromise your ethics. If you are asked to do something you know is wrong, speak up, ask questions and politely decline.
3. Don’t seek revenge. Remember, success is the best revenge. Do not stoop to the level of your supervisor; it’s only likely to make the problem worse.
4. Don’t play the victim. Victims lose control and get dumped on more. Choose to have the personal power and toughness needed to succeed.

Are these things easier said than done? Oh course, but they sure beat crawling into a hole and sucking your thumb!
-Dr.Mimi

Surviving Office Politics
If your organization is rife with politics, improve your chances of survival by following these simple rules.
• Observe the organization’s political style without getting involved in political struggles until you’re sure you know what’s going on. If you notice inconsistencies in the way the organization operates, continue to watch to learn what the patterns and motivations are. Look for potential allies
• Be subtle during the observation period and stay true to your own values. Don’t betray your own sense of what’s right merely to fit into the organization—it will eventually lead to internal conflict and stress. You can’t please everyone all the time; use your own integrity to make decisions that you can live with.
• Build an internal and external network of trusted allies—not for political battle but moral support and to create options and opportunities for yourself. There’s always perspective—and options for potential new employment—beyond your current organization. Use your network to broaden your focus beyond your own company and reconfirm or realign your values.
• Expose, gently with finesse, other people’s politically motivated behavior. When coworkers say one thing and do another, or seem to be trying to sabotage your decisions or work relationships, challenge their motivation using your assertiveness skills: “You seem to be unhappy with the decisions I’ve made, would you like to discuss them?” They may deny your suggestion or be confrontational, but at least the issue will be out in the open.
• Find yourself a coach with whom you can discuss your observations and concerns. You may gain a deeper understanding of the political processes at work and some insight into how you can manage these more effectively.