Workplace Scenarios

1. My boss continuously takes credit for my work. What can I do about it? Suggest to your boss (and perhaps to other executives) that you have a weekly open forum to discuss ideas and ways to improve the business. Convince him that it will benefit not only the company but him as the leader. Adapting forums that openly encourage and reward the creative input from employees will cultivate an open and highly motivated environment. In order to lay the ground for this spacious work environment, it will be helpful to implement a practice that helps you and other employees spontaneously access their creative visions. A simple practice to free the mind will soften your competitive edges, liberate your daily performance, and can result in dynamic external change. Together with your boss and your team, you can all share in the benefits of your group success.   2. I don’t get along with a co-worker but I want to make it work. How can I? There are usually two points of view to every issue. Perhaps by looking at the issues as they arise from your colleague’s point of view, you will be able to communicate more effectively and feel less threatened or attacked. With an awareness of others, you can learn to take the emphasis off of yourself and your own goals, and desires and focus on a much bigger view. The process of compassionate communication involves the engagement of other human beings in order to be effective and real. It requires us to penetrate a vein of honesty with fearless conviction and expose who we are. When you do this, you will be amazed at how the wall between the two of you will disintegrate! 3. I sent an e-mail that is curt, impulsive and perhaps even damaging. How can I minimize the fallout? The use of the Internet has further hardened our communication styles, as we are conditioned to craft and send e-mails that are overtly succinct and lack empathy in an effort to get through our work. Many of us have experienced repercussions of thoughtlessly pushing the send button on an abrasive or curt e-mail. Yet, when we choose to be more mindful of how we interact with others and scrutinize the delivery of our thoughts, we can begin to soften our edges. By shifting the focus of our thoughts from me to you, the possibilities of deepening our communication skills expands. We think about the outcome before we send the email, and perhaps even hit send later to allow ample time for our own mindfulness. Beyond that, when we learn to calm our impulses, life becomes much more interesting!   4. I have been asked to stretch the truth on my departments performance, but I feel uncomfortable in doing this. Do what is right. And speak the truth to your superiors. This move will take tremendous courage. The Buddha called this type of courage, “leaning into the edge of the sword. “ We exert Right Speech by simply speaking the truth. When we listen to our inherent wisdom, and access the conscience within, the place that tells us what is right and truthful, we can only do the right thing. Initially, if asked to bend the truth, we may be tempted. After all, it may mean our job, our livelihood. But by keeping our mind on the long term mission and outcome, not the short term immediate reward, we can have the courage to do what is right. Truth is what helps us to maintain clear focus in order to deliver the impeccable expression of our thoughts and ideas. This expression is direct, genuine, and clear. When we deliver our thoughts with scrutinized clarity, our management style becomes more effective and in the end, our bottom line is much more powerful and successful.   5. As the CEO of a small, sole-owned company, I am being forced to make staff cuts. How do I go about doing this? This issue engages many of the principles in the book but primarily Right Concentration. Concentrate on a good outcome by combining your obvious compassion for those who you must lay off with the wisdom that you know it is in the best interest of all involved. Now, deliver the message with confidence, empathy and loving kindness. By getting in touch with the source of your anxiety and transferring that tension to productive, positive efforts, you will communicate with a tone of genuine caring. You also will shift the very core of your attention to a new, pithier style of leadership. By not giving into our fears and anxiety, we allow ourselves to stay open and receptive to new growth possibilities. With Right Concentration, we can capture the fundamental Buddha nature of our organization and ultimately create a healthy, fluid, resilient company with long-term sustainability.