How to Avoid Workplace Drama

How to Avoid Workplace DramaHow to Avoid Workplace DramaSometimes I get a charlie horse at night. I wake to that telltale ache, and then I have to keep my leg bent and my muscle relaxed. If, in my grogginess, I mistakenly stretch into the cramp, boom. It gets me. Im left with a wicked kink, and my muscle is sore for days. Workplace drama, which involves purposefully exaggerating a situation to attract extra emotional attention, is similar at the onset. When someone tries to entice us with drama, there is a moment where we get to decide, Am I going to minimize this or stretch into the cramp?Professional relationships dont require of us what personal relationships do. If you have a drama seeker in your workgroup, you dont have to take that on. You just have to figure out how to navigate around that persons dysfunction. If you manage the kollektiv, then its in your units best interest for you to hold the instigator accountable for his or her activity. The fact that an individual is inci ting unnecessary problems shouldnt be countered with an emotional response. That will leave you with a charlie horse. Instead, cite that individual for trying to inciting chaos on your team and show him or her that you wont tolerate it.Whatever your role, refrain from engaging the drama. This is a choice you get to make. Heres how. Control How Much of Your Ego is Tied up in Your Work It feels great to do a good job at work and to be a part of a successful team. Theres nothing like the buzz of operating at full capacity. But there are all kinds of people at work. Some are not happy, and they may take that out on those around them. Sometimes they are in leadership positions, and their drama is especially hard to dodge. While working in the right environment can be fulfilling, it is only one stream of affirmation that validates your sense of self. Develop other parts of yourself, too, so that your identity and your success doesnt just come from one source. Cultivate other affirmation s treams. Join a club, coach a team, take a class. You are full of talents and abilities. The mora you explore them, the more affirmation you get back. This fortifies your psychological immune system, and it makes it harder for those who may try to rattle your cage. Developing your other interests helps you to know yourself better. It creates genuine self-esteem. Drama houndsthe bullies, busibodies, etc.like to engage easy prey. You cant change this about them. When you fortify yourself from within, you make yourself less vulnerable to others chaos. Know Your Truth Drama seekers excel at creating confusion among their contemporaries. When gossiping, bullying or other bad workplace behavior takes root, less work gets done and the drama seeker who started it can assume a faux leadership role. Its a breakdown of professionalism that causes discomfort and dissatisfaction. If you manage the unit, nip this in the bud. But if you dont, and this is happening on your team, then your best appro ach is to hold tightly to your own truth. Its hard to have a clear vision of reality in a culture that doesnt seem sane, so dont look to that culture for clarity. Trust yourself. Also know what you are willing to stand for and what you wont. If you feel that the drama has crossed a line and your manager isnt showing leadership despite your urgings, then it may be time to look for a new job.You deserve a workplace culture where colleagues dont have the opportunity to needlessly ramp up the level of emotion. Your manager should have the leadership skills to nix that behavior. Remember Work isnt supposed to siphon off emotional energy that you need for your personal life. The point of professionalism is that its a code of behavior that keeps unnecessary emotion out of your worklife. If someone is blurring those lines, then he or she is invading your personal space. You dont have to put up with that.

More Than Home Furnishings! Why You Should Consider Working At Restoration Hardware

More Than Home Furnishings Why You Should Consider Working At Restoration HardwareMore Than Home Furnishings Why You Should Consider Working At Restoration Hardware If youre like most of us, when you pass by a Restoration Hardware store or flip through their site, you are absolutely envious of the amazing home furnishings. Every room looks like sheer decor perfection, and every turn reveals an item youd kill to have in your home.But what if I said that you can be surrounded by this beauty everyday? No, Im elend taking you on a home shopping spree. Restoration Hardware is hiring With between 1000-5000 team members, the luxury brand in the home furnishings marketplace offers furniture, lighting, textiles, bathware, dcor, outdoor and garden, as well as baby & child products. And there are talented employees who make all of this come to life.One outlet sales associate in San Marcos, TX said , Great place to work part-time while full time in college working on my bachel ors in interior design. Meanwhile, despite high turnover, employees said that training and development were top notch.Whether youre looking to become an interior designer or are interested in the employee discount, great healthcare and beautiful workspaces, Restoration Hardware may be the place for you. Here are some of the over 500 roles they are looking to fill this month.

How Tough Times Open Doors

How Tough Times Open Doors How Tough Times Open Doors At current rates of unemployment, being without a job bears less stigma. It’s called “candidate forgiveness,” and companies are in the mood to practice it.Where do you find the silver lining in the darkest economic cloud since the Great Depression?It’s hard to think of positives. Supposedly, the roads are less crowded as fewer commuters make their way to and from work. (Although that certainly doesn’t seem to be the case here in Los Angeles!) Those of us who are employed might have a better selection of office furniture and supplies to choose from now that the competition is diminished. But all in all, there is very little to celebrate when more than 15 million Americans are unemployed.There is one upside for current job seekers: Being unemployed has become so common that recruiters and hiring managers are less likely to consider it a negative. We call it “candidate forgiveness”; while it’s traditionally easier to find a job when you have one already recruiters today are more willing to overlook the fact that a candidate is unemployed when he applies for a position.As a recruiter, I can attest to the difficulty I have had selling an unemployed candidate to a top-notch company when employment numbers are more robust. In a strong economy, recruiters prefer “passive” candidates - those who were employed and not looking. I’ve drawn a lot of analogies to dating in my articles about the job search ; this scenario would resemble the guy who already has a girlfriend and seems like the perfect boyfriend. If you missed last year’s dance, you need not apply for prom king.But circumstances have changed, and so have the sentiments of recruiters. With so much great talent on the streets, finding the right candidate is more about finding the right skill set and less about whether the candidate employed or unemployed. In fact, it’s harder than ever to poach an employed candidate away from seemingly stable employment.  But this period of candidate for giveness won’t last forever, and some of the circumstances of unemployment are more forgivable than others. Take advantage of candidate forgiveness while you can by framing your employment in the best possible way for the recruiter.Some key points: It is important to clarify that it was a company-wide layoff. It’s even better to know the numbers - “50 percent of the staff” or “over 1,500 people.” Have strong references lined up (preferably supervisors) who can back up your story. Obtain their personal e-mail addresses before you part ways so you can stay in touch down the road. Contact your references so that they know who might be calling and the position you are considering. Get their permission to use them as references. (If you are hired, be sure to follow up with a thank-you note.) Be prepared to compromise. Decide what benefits or working conditions are important to you and which are superfluous. Set standards where you think they’re important, but be realistic, too. It’s not 2007 anymore. While it is most important to get back to work, if you have a choice, pick the job that will continue to enhance your skills. This will be of value in your next job search or if you are ever laid off again. Yes, this recession has leveled the playing field for unemployed candidates, but you should use this to your advantage while you can â€" before the economy recovers. Let’s hope that’s soon.