Interpersonal Skill Building -- Yank The Suckers & Weeds

According to the National Gardening Association, suckers are rapidly growing shoots rising from an underground root or stem, often to the detriment of the tree. They can be very irritating and annoying for they bear no flowers or fruit. Rather than cut them off, one way to get rid of them is to roughly yank the suckers off to remove the cells and tissues that cause re-growth.

Even if you are not a gardener, you know a lot about weeds. They are everywhere and tend to take over, crowd a plant's root system, and provide a chaotic and unsightly mess. While there are many kinds of weed-killer sprays on the market, orchard growers hesitate to use them for fear of damaging the trees.

Unfortunately, businesses have suckers and weeds too. These unattractive thieves rob the organization blind by ruining its competitive advantage, and choking and stifling its people. To avoid these outcomes, try applying a heavy layer of protective interpersonal mulch to effectively stop all but the most persistent of suckers and weeds.

Here are four suckers and weeds that are typically found in the business garden, along with ways to yank them out before they root too deeply:

Office Politics

Far too many workers put their faith in office politics and believe their careers will either soar or plunge as a result of them. Office politics are a fundamental part of the daily grind. Sometimes people who cannot succeed on their own merit play them, and oftentimes, workers who pursue personal hidden agendas at the expense of others practice them. How do you keep this damaging sucker from taking root?

  • Learn and understand how the office political game is played. You cannot afford to ignore office politics; whether you choose to play the political game or abstain is up to you.

  • Use ethical influence to impact others without being sucked into the game. Strengthen professional relationships with others in your company and industry.

  • Increase your awareness of how the company works-who has informal power and clout, and the unwritten as well as written rules of engagement.

    • Jumping to Conclusions

    We often criticize others for jumping to conclusions or assuming the worst about a situation that may be erroneous or is not justified by the facts. When we jump to conclusions, we tend to label others based on prejudice or stereotype, interpret their behavior as a result of assumptions, and narrow our objectivity by becoming overly critical or intolerant. To uproot this weed, you have to continually dig deep into the soil of your mind and heart and repeatedly yank it out:

  • Think of ways to jump to positive conclusions or consider alternative aspects of any problem, issue or situation.

  • Refrain from speaking or acting before hearing all the facts. Stop wasting precious time and energy on what you think may have happened. There may be a perfectly good explanation for why a particular action was taken. Ask for it.

  • Avoid the tendency to pigeon-hole others or use labels and stereotypes.

    • Wishy-Washiness

    Do you have a boss or co-workers who just can't seem to make of their minds? One minute they model commitment and confidence, promise to support and back you up; the next minute they hesitate, become indecisive, and do not know the right direction to take.

    You will need both hands to handle this slippery weed:

  • Focus on what's important. Ask for advice and insight. When you have considered all the available facts, move forward with prudence and good sense.

  • Put some stakes in the ground. Take a stand and stop straddling the fence.

  • Clearly outline any roles and expectations; then follow the plan.

    • Double-Talk

    In the business world, double-talk looks like excuse making and blame shifting. It often involves the deliberate use of ambiguous, vague or confusing language that is spoken or written in an earnest, sincere or meaningful tone. Yet, when you reflect on what you have just read or heard, you realize it is a mixture of sense and nonsense, drivel, rubbish, and just bunk! When someone uses double-talk, we are left with a bad taste in our mouths. So, how do we get rid of this poisonous weed?

  • Don't do it! Understand that to continue to engage in double-talk will negatively impact your character, integrity and reputation in the end.

  • When you hear double-talk, try to discover motives, hidden agendas, intentions and reasons by listening with an objective filter.

  • Hold yourself accountable for your mistakes and failures instead of making excuses and blaming others.

    • Don't let pervasive suckers and weeds choke your career and business garden. Don't just cut them out; yank them-root system and all! You'll be more successful if you do.

    Althea DeBrule, entrepreneur and seasoned human resources executive, has focused for more than 30 years on helping people achieve their career goals. Creator of The Extreme-Career-Makeover? and a founding partner of RADSGroup Organizational Consultants, she is recognized for her bottom line and practical application of career development and management strategies in a way that penetrates hearts and compels action. She speaks and teaches with inspired talent, humor and contagious zeal at management conferences and leadership retreats nationwide, and has been featured in CFO Magazine, Strategy@Work, Human Resource Executive Magazine. Althea is the author of Bosses & Orchards, a compelling and candid book about how to make your work relationship with your boss succeed. To discover how you can take your career to a new level, visit http://www.extreme-career-makeover.com/

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Switching Careers - 7 Key Steps

    Are you thinking about switching careers? If you are, you're... Read More

    3 Cover Letter Secrets Revealed

    Writing a cover letter can be like cleaning your garage... Read More

    Why Use a Resume Writer or Resume-writing Service?

    Here are some of the questions we have been asked... Read More

    Jobseekers! Look For Smoke, Not Fire

    "If you always do what you've always done, you will... Read More

    What Is Your Greatest Weakness?

    The fastest way to make a good interview go bad... Read More

    Four Job Interview Mistakes That Can Torpedo Your Chances of Success

    What are the worst mistakes job hunters make? It turns... Read More

    9 Tips on Creating a Professional Emailed Job Application

    With the advent of the Internet, many of us have... Read More

    How To Find A Job As A Copy Editor

    Jobs for copy editors may seem like they are hard... Read More

    Job Interviews & the Magic of Music

    Can music help you with your next job interview? It... Read More

    The Dog Days of Job Hunting

    Does a headline like this scare you? it should because... Read More

    What Do Employees Wish for Most (And How To Get It)

    What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More

    Finding Your Ideal Career

    In the current climate, many people are looking away from... Read More

    How to Insure Job Security

    The attorneys I coach have one common problem. They don't... Read More

    Negotiating Skills: How to Obtain the Salary You Want

    Salary negotiating is an important topic that must be addressed... Read More

    Rethink Your Career Transition

    Are you going nowhere in your career? If you've decided... Read More

    Avoiding Tire Kickers as Job Seekers

    With the economy heating up and employment prospects opening up... Read More

    How to Walk Away from an Opportunity thats Wrong for You

    Q. I just finished a job interview. Everything went well.... Read More

    Ode to a Spoon

    "Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what... Read More

    Ready to Move -- Anywhere!

    "I have lived in this city all my life. My... Read More

    Find Free Resumes Online

    Have you been spending money on countless job boards, only... Read More

    Why One Word Answers are Bad News at Job Interviews

    It takes a lot of time and effort to get... Read More

    Do What You Love, Love What You Do

    Everyone dreams of a life full of love and adventure.... Read More

    Finding a Career in Harmony with Your Life Path

    Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More

    How to Crash - Proof Your Job Search

    Think you have the speed, endurance, and know-how to fix... Read More

    Online Resume Formats

    There are several types of online resume formats that can... Read More

    Youre Fired!

    One-day you're minding your own business and your boss comes... Read More

    How to Be Prepared for a Layoff

    If you are concerned that your company might be planning... Read More

    CDL Practice Test ? Offers Practice Tests To Prepare For The CDL Exam

    As you take CDL practice test, you do become more... Read More

    Recruiting Excellent Job Candidates

    An independent recruiter, recruiting agency or executive search firm is... Read More

    Tips for Requesting a Raise

    You probably think you deserve a raise. But does your... Read More

    Answering The What Are Your Weaknesses? Interview Question

    One of the trickier questions an interviewer might put to... Read More

    Writing a Must-Read Cover Letter

    If you want to land an interview, you'll need more... Read More

    Reinvent Your Career In Five Simple Steps

    The phrase "reinventing yourself" seems to be popping up all... Read More