Dear Dr. Mimi:
I work hard. I do good work. My coworkers even let me know that they value what I do … and my boss never says a word. In fact, he rarely even thanks me. We don’t even get annual reviews. It is so frustrating. Is there anything that I can do?
-Unrecognized
Dear Unrecognized:
You are not alone. Many managers underestimate the power of a pat on the back, especially with top performers who are intrinsically motivated. Ask for a review and come prepared to let him know all that you do and how well you do it. Be specific, pointing out particular projects and accomplishments. In addition, let him know that while you are motivated from within, it would be good to hear some positive words and a thank-you periodically.
-Dr. Mimi
Dear Dr. Mimi – Feeling Unappreciated
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Dear Dr. Mimi – Frustrated
Dear Dr. Mimi, I trained a new employee about a month ago, but they still don’t seem to be getting it. They mess up almost every task I give them. What can I do to fix this? Should I just fire them? —Frustrated Dear Frustrated, It can be tricky working with new employees. If you…
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Dear Dr. Mimi – Overwhelmed
Dear Dr. Mimi, My spouse and I now both work full-time jobs and have a three-year-old. I had been home full-time while my spouse worked. Our son is in day care and seems to love it, but I am unsure how to balance having a family, being an employee, and doing well in both jobs.…
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Monitoring Productivity
It may be daunting to look at your schedule for the coming months. Here are a few tips to help you stay on task and monitor your productivity: Clarify the vision. What do you hope to achieve? How will you accomplish this? Get specific! Define the milestones you aim to reach. Sit down and devote…