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Managing a Bad Team


By  Brnadon Smith  on  Nov 13 2012

Q: I am a manager in an organization whose primary leadership team started with the organization in entry level positions. They were promoted because of their product knowledge but they lack leadership skills. I have tried to work with them, however I find they play favorites among the staff, constantly bad mouth both me and others in my location, and provide negative feedback to our boss without

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Boss A vs. Boss B


By  Brandon Smith  on  Oct 26 2012

Q: I find myself in an awkward situation. My immediate boss (Boss A) tells me not to trust her boss (Boss B). A situation came up where there was not enough time for me to complete all my tasks during my shift. When I told Boss A, she said she would cover up for me to protect me and that I should not let Boss B know what happened or I would get into trouble. She said I can’t trust Boss

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New Boss or New Mom?


By  Brandon Smith  on  Aug 24 2012

Q: I have a new boss and while she is a very kind person, I think I threaten her. She recently interrupted my phone call to tell me what to say during the call. I ignored her and continued the conversation. After I got off the phone I was upset and shocked. After the call, she attempted to tell me what I could and couldn’t say to the organization that I was speaking to. My skill level and

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Finding Your Trust Again at Work


By  Brandon Smith   on  Aug 10 2012

Q: I worked in an abusive work environment for a long period of time and as a result I now have serious confidence and trust issues. I spoke out while I was there not realizing what they were capable of with regards to retaliation. I am having a hard time getting past it and all of this has put our family in a bad financial position. I have become paranoid and have tried everything to come to

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50 and Unemployed


By  Brandon Smith  on  Jul 27 2012

Q: What else can I do? I am 50 and have been unemployed for over 2 years. I have 15 years of successful pharmaceutical sales experience including selling to Primary Care Physicians, Specialist, Hospitals, and Management with one company prior to being downsized in 2009. I have networked over coffee, phone, linked-in, attended networking meeting, seminars, professional sales organizational

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Showing Your Boss the Results of Your Hard Work


By  Brandon Smith  on  Jul 12 2012

Q: Your recent article titled "I'm not getting noticed at work" caught my eye. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on when to pass on positive feedback from clients or sales to the higher level directors. I often wonder if my direct boss will think to pass on the good word, and whether they do it in a timely manner. For instance, if they only submit feedback as part of the annual review

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Motivational Manager


By  Brandon Smith  on  Jun 28 2012

Q: As a new manager, what are some practical ways that I can motivate and encourage people who have a bad work attitude? If someone is clearly not "in the right place" is it my responsibility to steer them to another job that is better suited to them and perhaps let them go?             - Susan A: Susan, What a common challenge. Yep, managing is messy. Before you start moving folks

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How to Get Your Excitement and Mojo Back at Work


By  Brandon Smith  on  Jun 14 2012

Q: My partner and I were employed as joint head chefs of a new restaurant and bar. The restaurant is one of a few new purchases for the business (three restaurants under one management) until suddenly last week we were told that one of their existing company chefs will be taking over from us!!! My partner and I had worked day and night to get the kitchen up and going (it was in a terrible state)

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Dealing With a Dead End Job


By  Brandon Smith  on  May 15 2012

Q: What do you do when you have a dead-end job and don’t have a job lined up? What kind of action plan should I have? Brandon – I’m ready to leave today...even if that means I need to move back in with the parents. YES, IT’S THAT BAD!    —Tracey   A: Tracey, sounds like desperation is knocking at the door. Before you answer it, let’s take a step back and consider your options

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Honesty Backfiring


By  Brandon Smith  on  May 14 2012

Q: I have recently been questioned by HR about the behavior of my boss and another co-worker. I spilled my guts to HR and when my boss found out, I was offered a "package" to leave the company or be terminated "for cause". I have absolute proof of them taking gifts and expensive trips from contractors. This is extremely prohibited by the company - yet I got let go. They seem to have HR in their

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Equal Pay for Unproductive Co-Workers


By  Brandon Smith  on  Apr 11 2012

Q: I have a co-worker who is very unproductive. This person wastes their day socializing and surfing the net. We do the same job on the same project. I have voiced my concern to our boss but nothing has changed. It is very frustrating seeing this person sit everyday and collect a paycheck for not doing anything. Do you have any suggestions as to how to deal with this? Thank you.   —

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Written Up for Vague Policies


By  Brandon Smith  on  Apr 3 2012

Q: What do I do? I have been working for the company for over 7 years and have been written up for a vague policy. It is not black and white and I can't grasp what I did wrong. I asked my boss and they got really upset that I just did not get it.          — Heather A: Heather, you aren’t alone. If there are two things that managers are notorious for its setting vague expectations and

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