Interpersonal EDGE

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

 

 Q. My company has been in crisis mode for about three years now, and I am thoroughly burned out. I don’t want to be seen as lazy, but I need a break, vacation and some life balance. At first, I was productive with the long hours, but now I make repeated stupid mistakes. How can I convince my manager breaks are good for productivity?

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

 

 Q. No one seems to be noticing all the good work I have done. I am very good at my job, tackle the hard projects, and even help out when my coworkers are swamped. Do I just work for an unusually ungrateful organization?

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

 

Q. I have an employee on my team who is charming and always trying to get me to give him extra goodies. He wants extra time with me, special treatment or for me to bend the rules for him. I’m exhausted trying to manage him. How do I let him know his gravy train is over?

 

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

 

 Q. I am so tired of the personal drama in my workplace. It seems like a lot of my coworkers constantly search out any reason to go on and on about what is unfair, or how people are mean, or they never get what they deserve. Honestly, I’m fine with problem-solving but sick of hysteria. Is there a way to get coworkers to focus on solutions?

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

 

 Q. I notice there are two schools of thought about getting ahead at work: the altruistic (if you help others, you’ll get good things) and the aggressive (go ahead and run people over if it gets you what you want). Neither of these approaches seem right to me. Is there any other alternative?

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

 

  Q. Sometimes, in my job, I have to say things that make people mad. You often talk about how to be diplomatic with coworkers. Is there a way to deliver bad news that doesn’t annoy people?

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

 

  Q. I have a job where the same thing never happens twice. I end up making a lot of mistakes. My boss says mistakes are just part of the learning curve, but I get so upset I shake when I realize I messed up. How can I develop more self-confidence?

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Media Services

 

  Q. I’m the one at work no one likes. I’m the one that’s hard to get along with, yet I am always respectful and nice to everyone. I am not a gossiper. This has been going on my whole work life. Within one to two weeks of starting a new job, it feels as though whatever “test” I have been given, I failed. And anything after that is just people putting up with me because I’m very good at what I do. Any advice?