When Winnie talks about work, as she did in the last column, you can tell that her perception is that she has a problem team. She feels like she’s trying to lead a bunch of blamers, complainers, plus one aggressive smarty-pants!
That aggressive thorn in her side is Winston. He’s young and bright, and in Winnie’s estimation, he’s out to get her. How does Winston see the situation? Continue reading
While many aspects of our lives offer the potential for conflict and misunderstanding, conflicts at work can be especially troublesome. Work has an impact on our basic needs, particularly power (the need to accomplish) and survival (the need to be paid!) Here is Winnie’s story. Continue reading
Last column, I suggested some actions to help move away from “discouraging,” as changing what we do is the most effective route to changing what we feel.
The next most effective way to change a feeling is to change what we are thinking. What thoughts go with “discouraging”? How about: “I can’t…” “I shouldn’t have…” “I’ll never be able…”? Continuously repeating thoughts of that ilk sets a discouraging tone, doesn’t it? Continue reading
Discouraging: It’s a bleak word. Usually, the word “discouraging” refers to one person attempting to influence another by raising objections, even trying to take away hope or confidence. In the phrase, “Harry is discouraging” we expect an object. Who is he discouraging? Continue reading
Do you ever get discouraged? When life isn’t going well and it seems like the whole world is conspiring against you, you can get that down-in-the-dumps feeling. Saying, “I’m discouraged,” can practically make your head droop and your shoulders sag; you might even add a heavy sigh for emphasis. Continue reading
In an earlier column, I introduced a retail service worker who had expressed her frustrations with customers, managers, and the public in an open letter to her community.
The worker’s perception, in her own words, was “trying to keep one’s dignity Continue reading
People who are aware that I have an interest in applying reality therapy techniques to the workplace sometimes send me work-related anecdotes.
A recent email about a stressed-out customer service representative Continue reading
In their holiday message to the reality therapy community, Dr. William and Carleen Glasser sent a wish that we have “a need-satisfying, choice theory New Year filled with joy.”
What would a need-satisfying, choice theory year look like for you? Continue reading
The New Year is a time when many people think about doing things differently (more commonly known as making New Year’s resolutions!)
The reality therapy emphasis on personal responsibility leads logically to the idea that Continue reading
In a quest for a more satisfying (or at least, less irritating) life with his parents, Liam has asked cousin Larry for help. Now, Liam’s wondering if the reason Larry gets along with his parents is because Continue reading
