Clever Fox Blog

Before starting my own business, I worked in a marketing capacity for a range of organisations.  Each one had a different work culture, and different types of bosses.  I have learnt a lot from my previous bosses - the good ones helped me grow and improve in a positive way, and the horrible ones taught me what NOT to be like, painfully.

In my mid-twenties, shortly after starting a new job, I went into my then boss’s office to explain a problem that had occurred in running one of our international events.  After listening to me, she said “Ok.  What’s the solution?”  I sat there dumbstruck as I was expecting HER to have the answers.  She said gently, “Don’t just come to me with problems.  Think of a solution and let me know”.

Those wise words have had a huge impact on me.  It has become a fundamental personal principle of mine, and has served me well throughout the years - both professionally and personally.

Thinking about problems doesn’t give you any insight or solutions.  Reorient your thinking by asking how you can solve the issue.  At work, it shows a proactive, creative and solutions oriented thinker - who wouldn’t want someone with these characteristics on their team?

Let’s face it.

It’s hard to be happy when you work in a toxic environment.

When Cindy (not her real name) attended her first personal coaching session with me, she didn’t have to tell me she wasn’t happy. It was written all over her face. Her body language shouted it out.

Things were spiraling out of control at work. Her boss had given her a negative appraisal in front of her colleagues. Cindy retaliated by confronting her boss and making an official complaint. It was investigated. Nothing concrete came out of it and Cindy was demoted.

Cindy’s previous appraisals had been very positive, and there had been no mention of her performance not being up to scratch. If her boss had thought she was not performing, she certainly hadn’t offered any coaching. Was this a personal vendetta and plain bullying?

There has been a rise in reported cases of workplace bullying in Australia in recent years. A survey conducted in the UK by UNISON revealed that in over 80% of bullying cases, the perpetrator was a manager. More alarming is that in most cases, senior management was aware of the bullying but did nothing about it.

Bullying can take many forms from inappropriate public dressing downs, to unexplained job changes and unfair assessment procedures.

Not surprisingly, many people who experience workplace bullying end up changing jobs. If you choose to stay, know your rights and exercise your judgment. Work through procedures established in your workplace about bullying or seek an arbitration service.

Back to Cindy, I’m pleased to report that she has been offered a new job and is very excited about making a fresh start.