Author: Michelle Jones (Page 1 of 48)

Dealing with an Ineffective Manager

December 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Navigating a relationship with a manager you perceive as ineffective or unqualified can be frustrating, but it can also be a catalyst for growth. Rather than allowing frustration to erode your engagement and productivity, shift your focus to what you can control. You may not have control over who you report to, but you can control the beliefs, assumptions, and narratives you create about the situation, as well as the impact of your behavior on those around you.  

Here are six steps you can take to shift the dynamic.

Reflect on what’s really bothering you. Is it a disagreement over tasks, or a misalignment in values? Sometimes, it’s not about your manager’s competency but rather your own expectations and responses.

Take ownership of your part in the relationship. Consider how actions like disengaging or reacting defensively might contribute to the strain. Think about what this resistance might be costing you in terms of personal growth and team harmony.

Align your approach with your values. If transparency matters to you but feels absent in your working relationship, explore how you can model this value in your behavior—even if it’s not fully reciprocated by your boss.

Reframe the story you’re telling yourself. Look for places where the differences with your manager are complimentary or identify ways in which you are uniquely qualified to support your leader. When you find common ground with your manager, you increase productivity and improve your relationship, as well as decrease your stress level. Identify what your manager is contributing that is unique to the team.

Open a dialogue. Consider initiating a positive conversation, expressing a desire to strengthen collaboration and align on expectations. Simple questions like “How can we support each other better?” or “What priorities should I focus on?” can foster a clearer understanding of expectations and build a more constructive relationship.

Be part of the solution. Look beyond your day-to-day frustrations and think more broadly about how your behavior contributes to your leadership brand and the contribution you want to make. This will help you increase your influence, promote a positive environment, and create business value.

If, after having an honest conversation with yourself and your manager, you still believe they’re the core issue, it might be time to move on.

 

References:
Harvard Business Review (2024, November 14) Sarah Mann and Luis Velasquez: When Your Manager is Ineffective – and You Feel Stuck

Srini’s Tech Tip: Delete Bottom Blank Rows of a Table

October 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments

When working with Excel data tables, you often find blank rows below the data, some containing some formatting like cell color or borders, but no actual data.  The question is how are you selecting those blank rows and how are you deleting the rows (through all the columns horizontally)? Also, just imagine if you had hundreds of blank rows.  We need a better solution than clicking and dragging to select hundreds of blank rows.

A simple solution is to use a keyboard short cut to select all the blank rows vertically down from a starting position and use the Delete Sheet Rows command to delete all the selected rows.

Scenario:

In our example (Figure 1), there are 10 valid data rows (Rows 4 through 14), and 5 rows at the bottom of the table that are essentially blank/without any data.  Our objective is to keep Excel Sheet rows 1 through 14 and delete rows 15 through 19 that are blank. 

Solution:

Use the CTRL + SHIFT + â keyboard shortcut to select the blank rows starting from Row 15, and the Delete Sheet Rows command to delete the rows entirely.

Steps:

  1. Click on the first blank Row Number (# 15 in this E.g.)
  2. Press CTRL + SHIFT + â (this selects all the blank rows 15 through 19)
    ** Note:  If the short cut takes you all the way down to row million+ (1,048,526, figure 2), then you don’t have any blank rows, and you have reached the bottom row of the Worksheet. Press CTRL + HOME to return to Cell A1, the first cell at the top.
  3. Click on the Delete drop down button on the Ribbon (Home tab)
  4. Click on Delete Sheet Rows option in the drop-down menu (Figure 1)
    Alternately, after selecting all the sheet rows, you can Right-click on a Sheet Row number and choose Delete.

 

 

 

Using Professional Development to Achieve Career Growth

October 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Professional development refers to the ongoing learning and training opportunities that one pursues to improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities in their chosen profession. Investing in professional development can have numerous benefits for career growth, including:

1. Career Advancement. By improving your skills and knowledge, you become more valuable to your manager and team and are better positioned to take on more challenging and rewarding roles.

2. Increased Earning Potential. As you acquire new skills and knowledge, you may be able to command higher salaries or qualify for promotions that come with increased pay and benefits.

3. Enhanced Job Satisfaction. When you feel like you are continuously learning and growing in your career, you are more likely to feel fulfilled and satisfied with your work.

4. Networking Opportunities. By attending conferences, workshops, and training sessions, you can connect with others who share your interests and goals and may be able to provide valuable advice and support.

5. Keeping Up with Industry Changes. The world is constantly changing, and industries are no exception. By staying up to date, you can remain competitive and relevant in your field.

6. Building a Professional Reputation. By demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and improvement, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field and gain the respect of colleagues and leaders.

7. Personal Growth. By stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to learn new things, you can build confidence, develop new perspectives, and gain a greater sense of fulfillment in life.

In conclusion, it’s important for you to make professional development a priority throughout your career in order to stay competitive and relevant in your field.

Duke HR Learning & Organization Development offers an array of classes, workshops, program development and consulting services that enable individuals, teams, and organizations within Duke to achieve extraordinary results. Contact us at HR-LOD-Registration@duke.edu to learn more.

 

References:
LinkedIn (2023, April 24) Rahul Lahoria: The Benefits of Professional Development for Career Growth

Keeping Mental Fatigue at Bay

October 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments

In a world where juggling work, personal life, and the constant ping of notifications is the norm, mental fatigue is all too common. But it’s more than just being a little tired–it can bog you down, mess with your productivity, and even derail your wellbeing. As your brain tires, it becomes less efficient, and the longer you work without rest, the harder tasks feel and the more difficult it becomes to stay focused.

Identifying mental fatigue isn’t always straightforward. Symptoms can vary from one person to another and can also escalate during periods of stress. What complicates matters further is that these symptoms often mimic or coincide with other health issues.

While mental exhaustion may feel overwhelming, it is possible to recharge your mind and regain mental clarity. Here are five ways to delay or reduce mental fatigue during the day so you’re more productive.

Take frequent breaks. Stretch, walk around the block, or even take a brief nap. In high-pressure situations, pausing for as little as five seconds every two minutes can improve performance significantly. For more constant mental heavy lifting, aim for a break every 20 minutes, and for periods of deep concentration, take 10-minute breaks no more than 90 minutes apart.

Stay active. Physical activity has the double benefit of improving physical and mental health. Even just 20–30 minutes of moderate exercise can boost your mood and provide you with a dose of energy.

Limit intense work to four hours a day. Working beyond this can result in mental fatigue that carries over into the next day, preventing proper recovery. When possible, try structuring your work in 90-minute blocks, interspersing intense tasks with easier, lower-effort activities such as responding to emails.

Clear your space of clutter.  A cluttered environment can be a subtle but significant source of stress. Taking the time to declutter your living and working spaces can free up mental energy. Organizing your physical environment can create a sense of order and control, which is psychologically reassuring.

Double down on sleep. A lack of good-quality sleep can lead to physical and mental fatigue. Aim for at least 7–8 hours of sleep each night to give your mind the rest it deserves.

Since mental fatigue is not visible from the outside, it is easy to forget it exists until it starts harming performance or affecting your health and well-being. Recognizing mental fatigue as an occupational hazard and proactively incorporating measures that prevent it allows us to embrace the rapidly evolving landscape of knowledge work and harness its momentum to our advantage.

 

References:
Calm (2024, October 5) Chris Mosunic, Ph.D., RD, CDCES, MBA: Mentally exhausted? Here’s 10 ways to overcome mental fatigue.
Harvard Business Review (2024, October 8) Mithu Storoni: How to Manage – and Avoid – Mental Fatigue

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