Power Plays

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• How Should I Prepare for My Performance Review?

  By Ron Brown | Nov 19, 2009 | 0 comments

  Dear Ron, I’ve been at my current job for two years, and this year my company began instituting annual performance reviews. I think my work is good but I have no idea what to expect, so what, if anything, should I do to prepare? I’ve always believed that people should try to take charge of their performance [...]

• Help! My Peer Isn’t Pulling His Weight

  By Ron Brown | Nov 6, 2009 | 1 comment

  Dear Ron, One of my colleague’s skills are really just not up to snuff, and furthermore, he doesn’t even work that hard, causing our overall group’s results to suffer. My company really values group solidarity and loyalty so I don’t want to call him out to my boss, but I’m starting to get really frustrated. [...]

• Help! My Boss Is Micro-Managing Me!

  By Ron Brown | Oct 30, 2009 | 1 comment

  Dear Ron, My boss second-guesses everything I do to the point that it seriously interferes with my ability to get anything done. I feel like she may still be attached to the duties she had when she was in my position (she was recently promoted), thus keeping me from fully taking on the role I [...]

• Help! I’ve Upset My Boss!

  By Ron Brown | Oct 23, 2009 | 0 comments

  Dear Ron, I’ve been pressing my boss for what I feel is a long-overdue raise, but the last time I asked, he blew up at me and he’s been giving me the cold shoulder ever since. How can I work my way back into his good graces? There are several possible reasons for your boss’s response [...]

• Help! My Main Supporter Has Left My Company

  By Ron Brown | Oct 15, 2009 | 0 comments

  Dear Ron, My biggest supporter at my firm has unexpectedly left, and he was one of the main reasons I joined this company in the first place. What should I do now? This is an increasingly common situation with so many people being laid off and so many departments being reorganized.  One of the first things [...]

• Help! I Need A Mentor

  By Ron Brown | Oct 8, 2009 | 0 comments

  Dear Ron, I know how important it is to one’s career development to have a mentor, but I’ve just switched fields and don’t know many people in my new industry and company. What’s the best way to go about getting one? You’re right about the value of having a mentor, especially today, but don’t be [...]

• My Boss Doesn’t Value My Opinion

  By Ron Brown | Oct 2, 2009 | 2 comments

  Dear Ron, Whenever I say something in meetings or even privately, my boss dismisses my opinions and either goes with her own ideas or those of one of her favorites in our group. I’m productive and (I think) valued by other people in the company so I’m not in danger of losing my job, but I’m [...]

• Is Loyalty to the Boss Mandatory?

  By Ron Brown | Sep 24, 2009 | 0 comments

  Dear Ron, I just started a new job and my boss has already made it clear he expects a lot of loyalty and allegiance from me. I’m not sure I want to commit to that yet, so what should I do in the meantime? When you’re starting a new job with a new boss, [...]

• Help! My Boss Is Trying To Take Credit For My Ideas

  By Ron Brown | Sep 17, 2009 | 4 comments

  Dear Ron, My boss is desperate to show his bosses that he’s able to come up with good ideas and so he wants to take credit for my work. I feel like one of those characters from that movie, 9 To 5. What should I do? Because this is your boss, there’s unfortunately not a lot [...]

• How Honest Should I Be With My Bosses?

  By Ron Brown | Sep 11, 2009 | 0 comments

  Dear Ron, I’ve been asked to evaluate something in an area that’s related to what I do at my company and frankly, I think it’s crap. But I’m not sure that’s what my bosses want to hear. How should I handle this? You’re right to be careful about being too candid. Beyond the fact that your blunt [...]

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