Question: A few weeks ago I had to lay off several employees in my department. As a result morale has hit an all time low. How can I improve the attitudes of those employees who are still working here?

Karissa's Answer: The core issue with low morale is that it keeps people from getting things done. In turn, morale is higher when people are being productive. As you can see, a vicious cycle can get started where low morale decreases effectiveness, and decreased effectiveness lowers morale. Don’t let this happen in your office.

The next issue you are dealing with is what I call "survivor guilt". People who keep their jobs in layoff situations do not want to seem insensitive by doing their work as usual, so they mope. Be aware that this is another hurdle you will have to overcome.

Now, to change the atmosphere at the office you will need to have a sense of humor. Do not make jokes at other people's expenses, but find a way to lighten the mood. Also, do not be afraid to keep in touch with those who were laid off. Treating them like lepers will only make the situation worse and your employees will feel less awkward if they know it's okay to communicate with those who don’t work with them any more.  ¶ 9:26 AM   1 Comments

  Question: I'm terrified of taking a vacation. I don't want to miss out on important projects at work, but my family hates it when I'm "plugged in" while on vacation—how can I find a balance?

Karissa's Answer: First of all, we all need and deserve a vacation. Burned out people contribute little in the office or out of it. Luckily, the workplace is changing to understand that you don’t always have to be present to get things done. Here are some tips to making a vacation stress free and productive.

Timing is everything. Know the ebbs and flows of your industry’s workload. Take a vacation when everyone else is, because this probably is a time when the workload is at a lull. For example, if you are a retailer, December really matters. January does not. Smart accountants just don't take spring break. Find out what works for you.

Take the right vacation for you. To make the most of your time off, assess whether you are physically, intellectually or emotionally tired and then pick a vacation which stimulates that area of your life. This way you are really recharging the right batteries, and will return to work feeling rested and ready for action.

Lastly, you cannot completely "unplug" while on vacation, and it's naïve to think you can. Instead, pick one time during each day to devote to work. Take care of business at a time that fits into your schedule and then let it go.  ¶ 12:01 PM   0 Comments

  Question: My male boss has just retired and has been replaced by a woman. I have never worked for a woman before, what are the differences between men and women's management style?

Karissa's Answer: There are no hard and fast qualities that men have and women lack or vice versa. According to research, the following characteristics make a person a good boss: competence in his/her technical area, awareness of the motivations of subordinates, a focus on results, strong communication skills especially listening skills, and a willingness to provide feedback to employees. None of these qualities are necessarily male - or female - specific. Both men and women who display the skills mentioned above make good bosses.

It is difficult to talk about how men and women may differ as bosses and it is perhaps better to think of your boss as an individual with his or her own set of characteristics. Some men are kind and nurturing, others are stoic and demanding. The same goes for women.

My best advice for you is to greet your new boss with an open mind and try not to put her in a box based on her gender. You will find that by approaching the situation in that way you will be able to assess her management style objectively and be more open to her ideas and style of working with people.  ¶ 9:15 AM   0 Comments

  Question: I have just started a new job, which I was really looking forward to, until I began working there. I completed the work I was given for the first week in only three days and it doesn’t seem like there's much else for me to do. How can I let my boss know that I'm beginning to feel irrelevant?

Karissa's Answer: The first thing you need to do is take action within a week of realizing there is a problem. Try talking to your supervisor without sounding critical of the organization or him or her. Try saying, "I am ready to take on more work. Where should I focus my attention?" You do not want to say that you don't have enough to do, since that will make your boss uncomfortable and will make you appear like you don’t understand your role.

Ask your supervisor to go over the scope of your job and listen to which tasks are of highest priority. Think about ways you can add value to those initiatives and go after that work in an assertive manner. Sometimes, there is a silent expectation that you will take the time to get to know people in key roles early in your tenure. Heads up: There may be other expectations that are not spoken as well.

Also, remember that all industries and organizations have cycles. It could be that in a couple months, business will pick up and you'll be incredibly busy.  ¶ 9:12 AM   0 Comments

  Question: I am considering a mentoring program for my new hires. What are the potential benefits of such a program? Does it really help with retention?

Karissa's Answer: Assigning new hires mentors and taking other measures to make sure that they fit in can make a difference. New employees are often trying to figure out if they fit in, or if they will be able to accomplish their goals in your organization.

New employees who are mentored by members of management can especially benefit, because this is often an area where they feel neglected. Employees may feel disconnected from senior management. By giving them that connection they will instantly feel welcome.

It's also great if new members are put in contact with each other, typically through new hire group meetings. There they are able to share their experiences and learn from one another.  ¶ 9:10 AM   0 Comments

  Question: We have hired 14 new employees during the last 2 years. 8 of them have left the company. We have lost significant money and intellectual capital. Do you think a mentoring program would help?

Karissa's Answer: When new hires come into a company, they are asking themselves 'Is this a good place for me?' and 'Can I thrive in this environment?' A mentoring program can help answer some of these questions for your new employees. By having a more senior member show new hires the ropes, they will feel more comfortable and loyal to the company.

Also, consider creating new hire groups. By connecting with people who are having similar experiences, new employees can help each other overcome problems that come up as they settle into new positions.  ¶ 9:08 AM   0 Comments

  Question: I like to think I'm an honest person who is above 'playing politics'. How can I stay out of the game playing at the office?

Karissa's Answer: No matter how honest you are, never say that you are not political or do not like to play politics. Being political means that you are trying to influence others to get your way, which means that every person is political. The key is to be good at influencing people, not to surreptitiously get what you want.

Once your face the fact that everyone plays politics, you need to be good at doing it. In order to be successful at office politics is to observe everything. Take notice of what happens, what works and what doesn't. See who gets promoted and who doesn't. You can learn a lot from simply sitting back and watching what's going on around you.  ¶ 9:04 AM   0 Comments