Is Your Office “Safe for Success”?

You have undoubtedly noticed that job fears are back on the front burner these days. Due to rising unemployment figures, a worse than expected June job loss report and the fluctuating stock market, the workplace’s emotional roller coaster continues its wild gyrations.

Unfortunately, this ongoing climate of uncertainty can create its own cycle of counterproductive, negative momentum. The sad truth is that when people are fearful they often do nothing.

One of my goals in writing Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant™ (TOT): How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job (John Wiley & Sons, June 31, 2009), is to help management make their organizations “safe for success.” That means cultivating a supportive, not punitive environment. It requires CEOs and department heads to communicate that creativity and thoughtful risk taking is welcomed. In short, I’m describing a workplace in which big thinkers and high fliers can reach for the stars without worrying that a more senior manager will clip their wings.

When encouraged through rewards rather than challenged by fear or uncertainty, we all are at our best. Avoiding the spread of a “bad boss mentality” requires replacing “what’s in it for me?” thinking with “what’s in it for us?” Simply put, it’s a recipe for a productive, loyal workforce.

Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant™ (TOT) an excellent management tool for knowing what not to do (being the notorious fly on the wall, but with the “how-to’s”!). But it also offer specific tips on how CEOs can create a collaborative workplace – resulting in increased profits. Watch for it in bookstores and online in the next couple weeks!