Criticism Part Three: Accept the Challenge

A Note to Minions:

Recently, I let life get in the way of my work.  It was not a good look.

Repeat after me: letting your personal life interfere with your work is not a good look for any employee.

Whether it’s a partner who left the picture, kids who start to live secret lives of their own, a death in the family, or a dog who goes missing, life keeps us on our toes. 

It’s our job to keep those toes en pointe.

However, if you forget to do so and start racking up criticism from your peers and supervisors, please do not hide underneath the covers for fear of retribution.  Close the door and let your supervisors and coworkers know, succinctly, what is going on.  Update your close work friends as they ask, but otherwise, you’ve informed them of the scenario (and broken records get thrown out).

Instead of falling further into the abyss of unfinished tasks, accept the challenge to get back up to speed.  Acknowledge you’re behind and come up with a comprehensive plan that even the most scrupulous of bosses will find hard to argue with. 

For example, if your deadlines are muddled and clients are being left hanging, propose a half-hour after the office is closed to solely send emails to clients and calendar items.  Go down your list of unfinished business and write out the steps needed to complete each task.

Most importantly, accepting the challenge means proving you’re still valuable.  Give yourself and your supervisor a timeline.  Follow through.

A Note to Supervisors:

“Don’t kick a man when he’s down.”  “Don’t beat a dead horse.”  I needn’t go on. 

Once the issue is discussed, give your staff a deadline and stick to it.  Follow through.