Working with a career coach, I am moving from competitiveness and distrust to ambition and collaboration. People are not out there to get me - they are there to grow together.
Weekend Work with Kids?
Last week, the company I work for announced officially that weekend work is now part of the standard Happiness Engineer role. Not every weekend, not immediately, but in the long run, we'll be expected to work approximately 2 weekend days per month, taking those two days off within the week. This is why my kids aren't an obstacle.
Ask for advice instead of feedback
I like getting feedback, both written as well as via voice. I blame my mom for this weird trait. She would ask people for advice about what she should / could do all the time. She uses it as a conversation starter, to solve quarrels and misunderstandings, to bond with her new neighbours. Her reasoning … Continue reading Ask for advice instead of feedback
What do you see when you look up?
I am sitting on my parents' terrace overlooking their garden with eight plastic sheep. My mother just rearranged them. They will stay that way for the next 20 min, approximately. Then my kids will be tired of looking at the cat and resume their task of knocking the sheep over for the 17th time. Today I … Continue reading What do you see when you look up?
If your support staff isn’t happy, you are doing something wrong
Helping others makes you happy. A number of studies have shown the positive impact of supporting others - not only on those who received the support but more markedly on those who offered help. Shouldn't that mean that people in support have a happiness advantage? Helping other people is part of the job description, after … Continue reading If your support staff isn’t happy, you are doing something wrong
Honey, do you think we are happy?
This question ranks very close to "Honey, we need to talk" in my personal list of worst openings for a conversation. And here I am, musing on the same question for a second time.
It’s OK to say sorry – if you mean it
I just read through The Nice Guide to Nice Replies, and this recommendation stood out for me: 9. Say sorry! People love an honest, genuine apology. In a study by the Carey School of Business, satisfaction with service recovery doubled (from 37% to 74% satisfied) when an apology was added on top of other compensation … Continue reading It’s OK to say sorry – if you mean it
