- With two decades as an HR veteran, Leigh Henderson has witnessed numerous employee blunders in the workplace.
- She stresses that developing a rapport with your supervisor is essential for advancing your career.
- Successful communication and having supporters at work are crucial for steering clear of problems.
This essay, presented as a dictated piece, is derived from an interview with Leigh Henderson, who at 42 serves as the CEO.
HRManifesto
located in San Antonio. It has been condensed and clarified.
I spent close to two decades working as an HR executive, aiding several Fortune 100 companies prior to launching my online platform, HRManifesto, along with my podcast titled “HR Besties.”
I’ve witnessed individuals face issues at their jobs through different means, such as engaging in romantic encounters in the workplace.
starting affairs
, or relying on a “work bestie” who’s divulging your secrets to your boss.
Such occurrences are infrequent, yet they typically happen most often.
running into issues at your job
involves these three mistakes.
1. Not buildi
ng a relationship with
your manager
A common problem that frequently leads to difficulties for individuals is failing to prioritize their tasks.
relationship with their manager
. I’ve seen it repeatedly: Managers and employees just couldn’t get along, so the employee wanted to avoid the manager altogether.
Your supervisor plays a crucial role in deciding who gets promoted.
performance-improvement plans
, endings, incentives, performance raises, and additional benefits. If you neglect this connection, it might result in problems.
I’ve had managers approach me stating, “This staff member isn’t right for us.” When pressed for an explanation, they would often respond with,
”
“He appears not to enjoy my company,” I think this reflects more on the leader. However, not every leader is effective, so ultimately you should strive to do whatever you can manage.
A method for strengthening your connection with your supervisor involves initiating a “getting-to-know-you” discussion. During this talk, pose inquiries related to work such as “What’s your preferred communication style?” Following that, disclose your own likes and dislikes regarding communication. Additionally, ensure that if your boss lacks an understanding of your needs, they should not hesitate to seek clarification.
weekly one-on-one
Meeting with you, attempt to arrange one.
Inform your manager that you want to remain connected so they can grasp what you’re involved with and are guiding you correctly. This way, you’ll have the chance to receive crucial company updates from them and confirm that you’re moving in the proper direction.
2. Failing to communicate effectively or misunderstanding each other
Individuals frequently find themselves in hot water due to inappropriate remarks made at their workplace. I’ve witnessed scenarios where someone has sworn at another colleague via email, leaving behind an undesirable trail of evidence.
I once collaborated with someone who included “FU” in the email subjects. It took me some time to understand that this stood for “follow-up,” not realizing initially since they didn’t use slashes between the letters. Without proper clarification, others might think you’re unprofessional or discourteous, which could lead to issues if left unchecked.
If you realize you struggle with conveying certain messages, inform your colleagues accordingly by stating something along these lines: “I find it challenging to handle formalities through electronic communication, so kindly avoid taking offense.” Although I don’t think constant preliminary chitchat is required for each engagement, when interacting via digital means, start with a greeting even if you’re about to ask for assistance.
3. Pushing away from the collective
You want to create
allies in the workplace
— individuals capable of safeguarding your reputation in spaces where you’re not present. This task gets more challenging when you distance yourself from the team or demonstrate little interest in working together with others.
Even if you excel in your role, invisibility can hinder your success. Being overlooked means missing crucial updates, failing to form key connections, and potentially being viewed as unapproachable. Such circumstances could jeopardize your position and impede your opportunities for advancement.
Participate actively in meetings, express your thoughts freely, and propose potential fixes. Additionally, take short breaks in the lounge area and make an effort to chat with several colleagues each day. Should you be working from home, consider scheduling individual calls with your team members, similar to how you would meet with your supervisor.
Building connections with colleagues who help ground you is beneficial for your psychological health and overall wellness. Should you be aware that a team member does not genuinely care about your interests, I would advise against excessive sharing; however, maintaining some level of connection and keeping things minimally cordial should still be attempted.
Stay aware of who you can rely on at your job, safeguard yourself, and maintain good communication.
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