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How To Efficiently Evaluate Your Boss

It is not uncommon for a boss to continually evaluate your output and etiquette. While this happens, you are also evaluating him or her. Your mind automatically makes assumptions and perceptions about a person, even if you do not realize it.

To aid in the smooth stream of operations between the employees and the employers, transparency is needed. Evaluate your boss efficiently by following these tips.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Keeping the lines open between the employer and the employee can help address and prevent issues. Observe how your boss communicates with you. Does he motivate you when you perform or does he constantly criticize your work? He must be able to filter personal issues and constructive criticisms.

Feedback is essential in brewing a good relationship. Furthermore, the boss must be able to deal with the mistakes in a calmly and efficient manner.

MANAGEMENT SKILLS

When I was given a leadership position, I thought that micromanaging my staff will help lift their loads. To cut it short, I was wrong. A good boss does not dictate every step of the way. He trusts the capabilities of his employees and does not take credit for the work that they have done. However, he is willing to share the responsibility when things go wrong.

Management skills are showcased through your boss’ ability to discipline unpleasant behavior and through giving proper guidance to those who need it. Your boss must understand the requirements of each job title and maintain order in the workplace.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Interpersonal skills refers to your boss’ ability to interact with you as an employee. Does your boss care about you and the company’s expectations? Does he recognize your achievements and contributions to the team?

A good boss must be able to encourage you and your co-workers to meet the same goal. He must be able to clearly communicate the expectations, which are in line with the company.

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When evaluating your boss, ensure that you incorporate both positive feedback and constructive criticisms. Confidentiality is highly encourage to enable you to have honest reviews.

Lastly, put yourself in his shoes! Consider how you want your boss to conduct performance reviews and give the same courtesy to your boss.

Sources: 1 &2

Why You Shouldn’t Hire A Friend Or A Relative In The Workplace

The hiring process should center around making the decision for the company or the business establishment. When considering a friend or a family member for the job, ask yourself why you are doing it. If you have good reasons to support your decision then, go for it. On the flipside, please consider these reasons why you should not hire a friend or a relative in the workplace…

LOYALTY > WORK ETHICS

You and your friend have been thru tremendous ups and downs. Through it all, your friend has shown you his or her loyalty. While this is an admirable trait to have, loyalty and professionalism are two different things.

What if your friend decided to skip town without asking for permission? Or, miss the project deadlines because he or she can “easily” get away with it based on your strong bond?

Your next step is to discuss the matter to your friend. This is a tricky situation especially because you do not want to create resentment for the days to come.

PERSONAL ISSUES > CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS

People react to criticisms differently. While others embrace it fully, some people may take it personally. This is something that you should consider when giving employee feedback.

Do not get me started with relaying feedback to a friend! A friend might take your criticism much harder because of the grey area that separates the professional and the personal life. Other than that, you may find yourself being more critical of your friend than you would have been with a regular employee. Honest is acceptable, but at what cost?

POSITIVITY > NEGATIVITY

It is human nature to overlook the flaws of the people we love. Perhaps, we just accept them for who they are without reservations. However, this perspective can be costly for business. It is important to not be controlled by “wishful thinking” during the hiring process of a new staff member.

If you are considering the possibility of bringing a friend or a relative on board, you must access all the issues at hand. An honest evaluation of their positive and negative attributes is needed to sustain a permanent business relationship.

NO LIMITS > BOUNDARIES

It comes as no surprise that striking a balance between your professional and personal relationship is challenging when you hire someone you are close to. You will find yourselves discussing about business matters while in social gatherings. Or, chatting about personal matters while in the workplace.

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Hiring friends and family members is a hit or miss situation! It can either affect your business positively or negatively in the long run. Are you willing to take the risk?

Sources: 1 & 2

KonMari’s Guide To Sparking Joy In Your Desk

From a best-selling author to a Netflix superstar, cleaning queen Marie Kondo has an efficient way of de-cluttering your own house and your workplace desk.

Her KonMari method is so powerful that most of her clients never turn back! When practiced regularly, the results become everlasting.

STEP 1: TOSS OR KEEP

With an honest outlook, select an item from your desk. Hold this item and ask yourself this question: “Does it spark joy in your life?” If your answer is affirmative, keep the item. Items that hold a special place in your heart, items that brighten your day through the toughest days, and items that make you smile are worth keeping.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

If your answer is “no” then, please get rid of the item. State your gratitude towards the item before tossing it away. Remember, it served its purpose to help you in your career. Do the same process for every item on your desk.

STEP 2: PHYSICAL CLEANSING

Marie Kondo believes that you must set a clean slate for all the items that spark joy in your life. After all, your desk is dirtier than you may think!

According to Microbiologist Charles Gerba, the average desk has more bacteria than an average toilet. It is important to disinfect your desk or working space with paper towels, wet wipes, rubbing alcohol, or disinfectant spray.

STEP 3: DIGITAL CLEANSING

Aside from the physical arrangement of your items, Marie Kondo has a way of cleansing your work inbox. She recommends limiting the creation of folders.

Afterwards, go through your email or Facebook inbox swiftly and completely in a single sitting. Rather than checking your inbox throughout the day, she prefers to get things done as quickly as possible.

STEP 4: HERE OR THERE

The last step is to assign a designated place for all the items that spark joy. She loves putting items in boxes or baskets! For instance, you may store your clips, tapes, and other stationary materials in a small box. Put this box inside your drawer. The idea is to put things out of your sight.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

The most important thing to remember is to keep your desk permanently organized! In time, repeated behavior will become a habit. Thus, cleaning your desk will be second nature for you.

Sources:1 &2

Shy Employees’ Guide To Negotiating Salary

Many offices are filled with smooth-takers who can easily say the right words to get what they want. While some people are born to be negotiators, others are somewhat fearful to share their ideas. Fortunately for you, negotiation is a skill that can be shaped with lots of practice.

Start with these tips:

PREPARATION IS THE KEY

When it comes to gaining confidence and bargaining skills, preparation is the key. Arm yourself with the facts by doing thorough research. Do not rely on personal opinions and emotions when negotiating. Instead, you must collect data from multiple reliable sources. Determine the average and maximum salary for a person in your position with a similar level of experience.

DRAW THE OUTCOME

Aside from the facts, you must prepare yourself with the possible outcomes of your actions. What are the possible ways that your employer can respond to your request? What will you do if he or she disagrees? What will you do if he or she agrees?

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Assess every possible outcome and how you will handle these situations. Is what your asking for really worth it?

WRITE A SCRIPT AND REHEARSE IT

Researching is the initial step. What’s next? Planning a script, of course. Having a foundation for the serious conversation can help you to feel more comfortable as it happens. Write at least two scripts to have more options. It is important to note that you have to flexible during the actual discussion.

GO FOR IT

Employees often perceive negotiation as a heated encounter where the clear “winner” shall prevail. In reality, negotiations work best when both parties walk away with satisfaction. Simply asking for what you want (i.e., a pay raise) is half the battle!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Do not let your shyness be an obstacle to getting what you deserve! Boost your chances of having a positive resolution by being polite and firm. Aim to reflect on your personal growth and foster long-term workplace relationships.

Sources: 1 & 2

Desk To Success: 7 Feng Shui Tips For The Workplace

To widen your knowledge, I am introducing the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui. Feng Shui believes that everything in a person’s surrounding environment affects his or her inner life. Arranging one’s space can optimize his or her harmony with the universe.

Unfavorable effects should be taken into account when designing buildings or desks. Placement of objects in a room, building, or desk will affect the flow of chi or the essential energy within the space. Let the good chi radiate your desk with these tips…

LUCKY TIP #1: FAMILY FIRST

As cliche as this may sound, putting a family picture on your desk can help flourish your relationship with your family. Feng Shui principles suggest that you must put it on the left center of your desk. Amp up the positive energy by putting the picture in a wooden frame.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

LUCKY TIP #2: BOOSTED PROSPERITY

Listen to my instructions as prosperity has a particular arrangement. Go to the back left corner of your desk. This spot represents abundance. Attract money by placing a money or jade plant here. If you do not have a green thumb, opt for placing a valuable item such as a jar filled with loose change. You may place your well-functioning computer here.

LUCKY TIP #3: GLISTENING LIGHTS

Feng Shui principles are not limited to plants or frames! You may attract productiveness by choosing the proper lighting fixtures. Lighting will make your eyes less tired and make you feel less stressed out. Steer away from fluorescent lights can make your eyes sore. If you are stuck with these lights in your office, think about replacing them with table lamps or full-spectrum lights.

LUCKY TIP #4: LOVE MAGNET

Dating is a crucial part of our society. Just take a look at how modern technology re-invented the dating platform (swipe left). As a young adult, I have been asked by many people to help them find suitable mates. Inversely, I have been asked to take their friends or relatives out on a date.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

To attract a little love of your own, you may place fresh flowers on the back right corner of your desk. Flowers are believed to attract romance and luck.

LUCKY TIP #5: DE-CLUTTER EVERYTHING

It goes without saying that clutter causes fatigue. Having a mountain of files, garbage, and other documents on your desk can prevent you from getting the work done. Adding “sticky notes” on your desk can get more distracting, to say the least.

Clutter symbolizes anything unfinished, unresolved, tolerated, or disorganized in Feng Shui. If you have a messy and stinky desk, take a few minutes to clean it immediately. Doing so will help you increase your output and make you seem more approachable.

LUCKY TIP #6: TRANSPARENT WALLS

There is a fine line between exuding the approchable vibe and the lack of privacy. Having glass walls on your office can make you more accoountable for your actions. Thus, it will help with your productivity. This is especially helpful to people who have poor self-discipline.

On the other hand, glass walls gives a vulnerability that is only corrected by the protection of blinds. having blinds provides you an option of maximizing your privacy.

LUCKY TIP #7: ORIENTATION MASTER

As I have mentioned above, Feng Shui is all about the arrangement of items inside your space. To attract as much prosperity as possible, it is recommended to place your desk directly opposite the front door. If you do not have a private office, try to orient your desk to face the main door. This is a commanding position that offers protection.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Say that your boss is not onboard with this change. Try putting a small mirror on your desk to reflect the office’s entrance. The principles of Feng Shui highlights that this arrangement symbolizes the opportunities that you will invite in the long run. You have to be able to notice the opportunities in order to seize them!

Sources: 1 & 2

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