Priyanka Nandi

Navigating a difficult or demanding boss requires understanding their expectations, staying professional, effective communication, and maintaining self-care. By adapting to their style, focusing on solutions, and seeking support, you can create a more positive work environment.

Self-evaluations can enhance performance reviews by fostering self-awareness and engagement, but they can also introduce bias and inconsistency. To maximize their benefits, provide and get clear guidelines, engage in training, and combine them with other assessment methods (Manager Assessments, Peer Review, Customer feedback, work sample profiling, 360-degree feedback, and objective performance management). Encourage continuous feedback and open dialogue to make the process more effective.

Recent studies highlight a significant reduction in attention spans. With the average attention span now shorter than a goldfish's (around 8 seconds), it's more important than ever to strategically time your visual aids to hold your audience's focus. Practice makes a person perfect!! Practice your presentation multiple times to ensure smooth transitions between speech and visuals. Use a mix of visual aids (charts, videos, infographics) to keep the presentation dynamic and engaging. And do not forget to pay attention to audience reactions and adjust your timing if necessary. If they seem distracted, it might be time to switch visuals or move on to the next point.

Let's consider a team member who prefers direct feedback but tends to get defensive when criticized. In such a situation, you could begin by highlighting their efficiency in completing tasks promptly, then discuss specific areas where improvements can be made. This tailored approach respects their communication style while also addressing areas for growth, creating a positive feedback loop that promotes continuous improvement and a collaborative work environment.

Imagine you're the project lead for a tight-deadline project. You face a choice: cut corners to meet the deadline or uphold quality standards. You choose quality, openly discussing challenges with the team, delegating tasks effectively, and making informed decisions collaboratively. This approach fosters trust and teamwork, inspiring everyone to excel and contributing to a successful project outcome. Lead by example by demonstrating integrity, accountability, and professionalism. Uphold values even in challenging situations, take ownership of actions, maintain positivity and respect, handle responsibilities effectively, and make informed decisions to inspire your team to excel.

Networking internally with LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies involves building genuine connections, fostering a supportive environment, and creating spaces where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences. - Look for events specifically designed for LGBTQ+ employees and allies, as these can be excellent opportunities to connect with colleagues. - Create informal spaces, such as coffee breaks or lunch hours, where people can freely discuss their experiences and share insights. - Be yourself and approach interactions with authenticity. Authenticity fosters genuine connections and helps create a positive networking experience.