By Daryll Esposito You know how valuable your employees are. The question is, do they know you know it? The working world is changing fast, and so are the demands of leadership. Successful law offices must nurture an environment that is not only productive but also provides flexibility, opportunity, and job satisfaction. Almost two-thirds of small to midsized companies report … [Read more...] about 10 tips to turn toxic management into teamwork
Your career
Carve out some calm amid the chaos
With the demands of your job as a manager in busy law office, turnover in today's staffing market, worries about world upheaval, and your own personal challenges outside work, life is stressful. Executive leadership coach Hortense le Gentil says you need to reclaim some mental space to make room for your intuition. Here’s her advice: Let your brain take a break! Breaks allow … [Read more...] about Carve out some calm amid the chaos
Beware the Bermuda Triangle of workplace conflicts
By Lynne Curry We don’t always understand why we react to some people, nor they to us. Or why otherwise talented employees and supervisors get tangled in interpersonal messes that create toxic work environments. Over the years, when I’ve helped clients fix workplace conflicts, I’ve discovered some of the most challenging conflicts stem from drama triangle collisions. Like the … [Read more...] about Beware the Bermuda Triangle of workplace conflicts
Own your piece of the action
By Lynne Curry “It wasn’t my fault. I blew up because I had the worst day.” “Anyone would have reacted the way I did.” When you lose your temper, shut down, or behave badly in other ways, you may feel tempted to rationalize your behavior. It can feel right to pin responsibility for your reactions on the other person or to attribute them to the situation. When you do, you … [Read more...] about Own your piece of the action
5 steps to take after you lose out on a promotion
By Lynne Curry You put your blood, sweat and heart into your job and this office. When a promotion came open, you thought it was yours. Except it wasn’t—you were passed over. If this has happened and you want the next promotion, or simply to be able to stand remaining in your job and at this office, take these five steps. Use your upset You can use your upset … [Read more...] about 5 steps to take after you lose out on a promotion
Win a promotion, lose a friend
By Lynne Curry Question: When I started with my current office, I met and bonded with a coworker. We were hired at the same time and shared similar interests. We ate lunch together two to three times a week and went camping together. Three months ago, I got promoted. I now supervise her and other former coworkers. She and I went out for a celebratory lunch. It was horrible, … [Read more...] about Win a promotion, lose a friend
What stops you from saying what you want to say?
By Lynne Curry A law office manager must be able to have difficult conversations with staffers, speaking up with the right words at the right time. Is this difficult for you? Why can't you say what you want to say? Is it: You’re afraid if you speak up or try to fix things, you’ll make them worse? You’re afraid you’ll make someone angry and lose a relationship or job? … [Read more...] about What stops you from saying what you want to say?
Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
By Lynne Curry It’s easy to give an excuse for not listening. You don’t have time; the speaker rambles or bores you. You already know what you’re about to hear. It’s harder to admit you’re a poor listener—isn’t listening something we do all the time? No. The opposite proves true. Most of us find it hard to listen to someone who has something to say we don’t want to hear. We … [Read more...] about Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
Potential for disaster when you serve on a volunteer board
By Lynne Curry Sometimes you take on work for which you aren’t paid—because it matters, or because you’ve been talked into it. Perhaps you serve on the board of a non-profit legal aid corporation, offering your experience and knowledge as a law office manager. Possibly you run for your condo association’s board of directors because you want some control over the condominium … [Read more...] about Potential for disaster when you serve on a volunteer board
Burnout is building for 43% of workers, research shows
Many workers are worn out and ready to make up for lost vacation time, new research shows. More than 4 in 10 professionals surveyed (43 per cent) said they are more burned out on the job today compared to a year ago, up from 33 per cent in a similar 2020 poll. The new survey by global staffing firm Robert Half shows employees experiencing increased fatigue, with 42 per cent … [Read more...] about Burnout is building for 43% of workers, research shows