Interpersonal EDGE

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Content Agency

 

Q: I'm working remotely but with no enthusiasm. I find myself drifting toward watching funny cat videos. I don't feel depressed I just feel like what I'm doing is meaningless in the face of our big problems. First off what is wrong with me, second how can I shake it, and third how do I even began to contribute to solving these huge problems?

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Q: I've been watching the news on the Floyd demonstrations to protest the death of the African American man. I'm both heartbroken and afraid of what is happening. I don't see how more violence in words or behavior creates change. In your work inside companies what do you see that breaks the cycle of verbal or physical abuse between perpetrator and victim?

 

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Q: I’m dragging myself through my home work day lately, fantasizing about beach vacations, and generally exhausted. I’ve been tired before but this is different. I’m burnt out worrying about COVID-19, the protests, finances, government, and the economy. Why am I so tired, am I just a change wimp, and how can I handle my burn out better?

 

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Q: I am a worrier. I worry about thawing permafrost unleashing devastating viruses, the collapse of the dollar, and whether my boss is planning to fire me. I act calm, but internally I worry about everything. I've noticed more people around me seem constantly worried. How can I make my worry help me and not hurt me on the job?

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Content Agency

 

Q: I have ADHD and find my workplace challenging. I've told my manager that I struggle with this issue, but he does not care. I cannot help that my brain wiring is different than my co-workers. How can I get my manager to give me latitude on my work?

 

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Q: I'm a female senior IT professional, and the older I get, the more I notice how often I apologize during the day. I consider that I have good interpersonal skills, but I wonder if apologizing frequently is undermining my reputation. How and when do you recommend your clients apologize at work? Do you find women apologize more than men?

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Q: The older I get the less I like people. Integrity is missing and kindness is rare. Other than staying home with my dog, how do you look forward to a workplace where a whole lot of people simply suck? I'm not saying some people are not wonderful, but they seem to be the exception. 

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  Q. Is there one character flaw that is most harmful to a successful career? I’m starting 2018 really examining my strengths and weaknesses and am a huge fan of this column. I thought your experience would give you a good sense of what people do that most hurts their chances of success?

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Content Agency

 

  Q. I work with a coworker who is fond of using negative labels with everyone he works with. People are incompetent, passive aggressive or stupid. The crazy thing is he actually thinks he is “communicating” when he is just calling people names. Most of the time neither I nor any of my coworkers know what upset him or what he wants. How can I get him to stop ruining morale with his enthusiastic name calling?

 

By Dr. Daneen Skube

Tribune Content Agency

 

Q. I know I am a very vengeful person, and I really would rather get even than get mad. I believe in “karma” but also think some people really need to be punished when they run others over. What do you think about vindictive feelings? How do you deal with people making bad allegations against you?