It was early last September when I was passing the proverbial “baton” to our now settled in Administrative Assistant, Andrea.  As Gabe did with me, I spent a few days up at the front desk with Andrea filling her in on the must-knows and then more or less left her to it.  In light of today being Administrative Professionals Day, I feel it’s appropriate to pay some homage to the lovely lady.

I’ve been back for three days now and although the office feels pretty much the same, it’s the presence out front that I’ve really taken note of.  In short she’s quick as a whip; takes on tasks above and beyond the call of duty; and most importantly, does it all with a smile.  It’s the last part to me that stands out the most – service with a smile and a sincere, friendly demeanor are two key characteristics that really make the difference.  We are lucky to have her. Thanks Andrea!

Take the time to appreciate your Administrative Professional today.

Until next time…

Maria

Ok, I’ll be totally honest here; although I was practicing the Golden Rule, for a brief moment, I hoped he was looking for me. Who doesn’t love getting flowers delivered to them?!!!

With the help of a nice gentleman passing by, I pointed him in the right direction, and he thanked me for my help. After telling him “no problem,” I confessed, “I thought they were for me!” He chuckled and we both went about our business.

A short time later, the nice man entered our office and came up to my desk to ask if I was “the woman on the sidewalk earlier.” I confirmed that I was, and he presented me with a bouquet of flowers and said “these are for you.” I asked him who they were from and he answered, “they’re from me.”

Thank you to the kind, thoughtful, man that remains anonymous. You have no idea how much you brightened my day! I am a firm believer in paying it forward – now it’s my turn to do a random act of kindness for someone else.

The arrangement came from Hearts and Flowers, 49 University Avenue.

Problem solvers are innovators, and vice versa. Perhaps the old adage, that necessity is the mother of invention is true. Refusing to accept the status quo, and working to find a solution is the usual path to innovation. When we take a traditional problem and find a new solution, that is innovation. Taking things that get in our way and finding a way to make them work for us…that is innovation. Congratulations to nephew Neil and his good friend Gavin. We will be watching over the next twenty years, if I am not mistaken there will be good use made of that pesky tunicate before too long.

MDL & WaveHR in Chamber Business Magazine

For anyone not familiar with BFKS, it is an annual fundraising effort and activity designed to raise funds for one-on-one mentoring services for children that are affected by bullying. Most of us would naturally assume this pertains to kids that are victims; however, children whom actually bully are mentored as well. How wise it is to focus on getting closer to the root cause of the problem, instead of simply managing the damage.

Reflecting on this event I am faced with a realization: While bullying devastates our children, it is not restricted to this age category. Unfortunately, it has become much more widespread. Bullying seems to have made it’s way through the adult population in many of our workplaces – known as “workplace bullying”.

This form of negative activity can become very damaging to a work environment by decreasing team morale and productivity, and by causing psychological harm. We must adopt a strategy similar to the approach that has been taken for our children, focusing on all parties involved.

In January, 2013, the Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Bureau de Normalization du Quebec, and the CSA Group, all joined forces to release Canada’s first National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace. The purpose is to assist organizations in identifying psychological hazards and to implement policies that promote and support psychological health and safety in the workplace.

This national standard has not become the law; but I feel it is a very effective strategy for businesses to reduce or eliminate psychological problems such as bullying in the workplace. We have legislation in place that focuses on physical safety in our workplaces but there is nothing in place in regards to our psychological safety. Maybe with the implementation of initiatives such as this, it will one day change.

My hope is that efforts to stop all forms of bullying among any demographic will continue and that utilizing resources available will help to achieve healthier environments for both our youth and adult population. No matter where it exists, we should all be responsible to do whatever we can to help eliminate bullying.

To read more about the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety, visit http://www.csa.ca/cm/ca/en/news/article/national-standard-of-canada-psychological-health-and-safety-in-the-workplace

The other day my partner and I picked up groceries on our way home. The wait in line was a bit longer than usual, so by the time we got to the cashier we had the belt filled up with our groceries. As our items started to move, the lady behind us left her cart to get an item she had forgotten. I noticed she had a very full cart, so as our groceries started to move through I put down the ‘segregator’ (the plastic thingy that separates customers’ items) and started to put a few of her items on the belt. To me, this was a natural thing to do; I didn’t even think about it. I was of the mind that I would have liked someone to do this for me. My partner, on the other hand, thought I was just being weird.

When the lady returned, she was slightly confused but quickly caught on; she then started putting those items back into her cart and loading the belt with others. It was all quite funny (at least to my partner, the cashier, and me), but it made me remember that the golden rule does indeed need to be revised. It should be: Do onto others what they would have you do onto them. This is the case in many areas of our lives, personal and work related.

Lately I’ve been using the dipper and bucket analogy (http://tinyurl.com/297ylaa) with people in leadership and management positions to help them engage their employees.  When I ask them for suggestions on how to fill other people’s buckets, a couple of themes emerge:

• Do something for others that makes you feel good
• Do something for others that makes them feel good

So, I have made the conscious commitment to pursue the revised golden rule as noted above, and I suggest that those in positions of authority consider it, too. Find out what your employees/customers really want and work to fulfill that “want” if at all possible. Start with baby steps if it is a new way of thinking; small, steady progress that is observable is key to building strong relationships.

- Wendy MacIntyre

So as you review, revise and reject the things that work for your organization, remember that this time of renewal and reflection brings the necessary opportunity for change. Embrace the tension and get it done.

1. The Gift of Helping Out
2. The Gift of Explanation
3. The Gift of Sharing Success
4. The Gift of Support for Single Working Parents
5. The Gift of Empathy in Official Dealings
6. The Gift of Clear Expectations
7. The Gift of Job Fulfillment
8. The Gift of E-Mail Relief
9. The Gift of Inclusion
10. The Gift of Listening
11. The Gift of Being Fair
12. The Gift of Being Home

So Merry Christmas, Happy Festivus, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Human Rights Day, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, Happy Omisoka, Happy St. Lucia Day, Happy Winter Solstice, Merry X-mas …and Happy any-other-December-holiday-you-may-celebrate-that-has-been-inadvertently-left-out!