1-Minute Strategy

No more procrastinating

Tempted to put off unpleasant work? Instead, pounce on the assignment immediately, the minute you realize you don't want to do it. By acting quickly, you prevent yourself from activating those stalling tactics that ultimately prolong the delay and ex...

Give advice without preaching or pontificating

Offering advice? The I-would-do-this-if-I-were-you approach can sometimes backfire. So: 1) Check your timing. Wait until an agitated co-worker is calm before asking, "Would you like my advice?" 2) Be direct. Avoid vague hints. Instead say, "You may w...

Strike up the best conversational mix

The best communicators balance advocacy and inquiry. Advocacy means you state what you think, know, want or feel and express your own views. Inquiry involves learning what others think, know, want or feel. The best conversationalists mix both skills....

Be curious

To stay interested and excited about your work, Todd Kashdan, author of Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life advises you to, "Treat your workplace like a research lab. Even if you can't lessen the number of seemingly mindless...

Beware of stereotyping by department

We all know not to judge people based on accent, skin color, gender, etc. But one insidious form of prejudice is harder to detect: judging employees by the department in which they work. Examples: accounting = number cruncher; IT = systems nerd; engi...

Avoid computer eyestrain

When working at a computer you only blink one-third as often as you do pursuing other activities. So it’s important to look away from the monitor periodically and sit 20 to 30 inches away from the screen. Also, stand up and take time to look ou...

Head, shoulders, knees & toes?

Quick question: What's the most dangerous thing you do all day? Answer: Sit.  Scientists at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana analyzed the lifestyles of more than 17,000 men and women over about 13 years. They found that peo...

Training someone? Don't forget the autonomy

Daniel Pink writes in Drive, “Whether you’re fixing sinks, ringing up groceries, selling cars or writing a lesson plan, you and I need autonomy just a deeply as a great painter.” But encouraging autonomy doesn’t mean discourag...

Ask the crowd

One of the great things about social media is the access it brings to the collective wisdom of the crowd. If you're stuck, pose your question to the crowd to help you out.  If you're wrestling with a problem that you'd like to see AdminProToday ...

Handling customer complaints

Harvard Business Review suggests you follow these 3 tips to expedite the complaint process: 1) Understand the full context—The more information you have, the easier it is to determine the root of the dissatisfaction. 2) Propose a resolution&mda...

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