Managing Sticky Situations at Work

Introduction: How to Say It Just Rightin the WorkplaceA colleague asks you to recommend him for a promotion. You knowhe is less than adequate. In fact, you’ve had to complete his work tomake deadlines. What do you do?You supervise a group of six professionals. You were promoted fromwithin their ranks. Each has worked at the job longer than you, butyou have more formal education. The group is now sabotaging yourevery move. What do you do?Your boss blocks you from making important changes in the wayyou process customers. Three clients have told you they plan to use acompetitor’s service. You talked to your boss, but he refuses to makethe changes saying, ‘‘This is the way it’s always been done.’’ You knowyour boss is coasting to retirement and not interested in rocking theboat. During an informal function you see your boss’s boss and havean opportunity to share your concerns. What do you do?How many times and in how many ways do we encounter thesesticky situations at work? Whether our situation involves a colleague,our staff, our boss, or a client, each of us faces office dilemmas. Whatwe do and how we respond can make or break our careers.Successful people skills—the ability to communicate effectively inany situation—propel good leadership and teamwork. The ability tosay it just right the first time without regrets and second thoughts enablesleaders to climb up the ladder. We’ve all known and seen leaderswho have this skill. We’ve watched them and thought, ‘‘I wish I couldbe like that’’ or ‘‘How did she know exactly what to say?’’ Confidence