By Lynne Curry She came to work early, rarely took a full lunch break, and almost always worked past five p.m. Six of her nine staffers considered her an effective leader. She ran a successful department until her other three direct reports drove her out. Empowered by their victory, this “gang of three” ran off two successive managers before the company’s senior … [Read more...] about When staffers bully their supervisor
Your career
Surviving the bully boss when you’re a nice person
By Lynne Curry Question: I work for a supervisor who loves to take me apart. Last week, she invited me into her office and spent 30 minutes telling me everything I did wrong. When she finally wound down, I felt shattered and said, “Thanks, I need to get back to work.” Once at my desk, I discovered I couldn’t focus. The emails in my inbox seemed to swim, and I realized … [Read more...] about Surviving the bully boss when you’re a nice person
Voice technology can give you an extra set of hands
From robotics to augmented reality and beyond, the growing prominence of technology’s role in business has been fascinating. But there is also concern that some types of technology, such as AI, may threaten people’s jobs by performing functions or even “thinking” as humans do. However, the reality is that the development of AI-related technologies, especially speech-to-text, is … [Read more...] about Voice technology can give you an extra set of hands
How to outsmart manipulators in the workplace
By Lynne Curry If you’re locked in a work relationship with a manipulative boss or coworkers who learn you’re an easy mark, they’ll manipulate you until you recognize their games and find ways to outsmart them. Here’s what you need to understand and do to stop manipulators in their tracks. Start by understanding who and what manipulators are. Next, realize how you’re … [Read more...] about How to outsmart manipulators in the workplace
How to recognize and deal with burnout
Here are some tips for medical office managers on why they might suffer burnout, how to recognize it, and what they can do to prevent and deal with it. Understand the causes of burnout: Burnout is a form of chronic stress that results from prolonged exposure to job demands that exceed a person's resources. For medical office managers, burnout can stem from factors such as … [Read more...] about How to recognize and deal with burnout
The temp is gunning for my job
By Lynne Curry Question: I love my job as a midsize medical clinic’s administrative manager. That’s why my husband and I agreed I’d take only a short six-week maternity leave, and he’d take the full two months his employer offered. When I told the managing physician, he thanked me profusely for my commitment. I diligently searched for the best temporary replacement, … [Read more...] about The temp is gunning for my job
Four fixes for job burnout
By Lynne Curry Are you burned out and not sure how to fix it? In 2024, emails from burned-out managers and employees have flooded my workplace coach inbox. Here’s what some have said: “I’m running on empty;” “mentally exhausted and emotionally drained;” “constantly on edge and irritable;” “on autopilot, just going through the motions, and don’t see any way out.” If you … [Read more...] about Four fixes for job burnout
How to turn setbacks into comebacks
In the fast-paced world of medical office management, setbacks are inevitable. Whether it's a sudden staff shortage, an unexpected change in regulations, or a dip in patient satisfaction, these challenges can feel overwhelming. However, with the right mindset and strategies, you can transform these setbacks into powerful comebacks. Here's how: Embrace the Setback First things … [Read more...] about How to turn setbacks into comebacks
How to revive workplace friendships
By Lynne Curry Those casual everyday conversations we once enjoyed as we started our workday or ran into each other in the breakroom largely ended during the pandemic. For some, particularly those who work remotely or on a hybrid schedule, these conversations and workplace friendships never resumed. A recent survey of 3,000 U.S. employees revealed 69 percent felt unsatisfied … [Read more...] about How to revive workplace friendships
Try reverse questions as a self-motivation tool
Traditional motivation strategies often emphasize goal setting and visualizing success. However, an unconventional yet powerful technique can enhance your effectiveness: the use of reverse questions. By flipping the typical narrative, reverse questions challenge you to confront fears and uncertainties, fostering a deeper sense of motivation and resilience. The Concept of … [Read more...] about Try reverse questions as a self-motivation tool