How to Deal with Conflict at Work

How to Deal with Conflict at WorkHow to Deal with Conflict at WorkSome people thrive on conflict, while others seek to avoid it at any cost. When it comes to your career, knowing which end of that spectrum you fall on- and in which situations you should try to change your natural behavior- can make all the difference to your ability to have productive relationships with your colleagues.In this video, Harvard Business Review contributing editor Amy Gallo breaks down everything you need to be more effective at dealing with conflict in the workplace. She covers everything from the different personality types, to the most common types of conflict, all the way through to your different options for handling conflict. Check it out

Salary Survey Value Todays Economy

Salary Survey Value Todays Economy Salary Survey Value Todays Economy With the recent passage of the well-publicized debt deal by the U.S. government and the heated debate that surrounded it, many around the world are wondering if the fragile U.S. economy is poised for recovery, or if more bad news may be on the horizon. In June, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said that U.S. economic growth in 2011 was slower than expected, partially due to supply chain disruptions associated with the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.Engineers seemingly have been able to ward off the negative effects of the slow economy. My belief is that the engineering sector has been among the least affected due to the technical knowledge flexibility the engineer has to offer and a greater expanse of problem-solving skills that can be applied in most industries, says Amos E. Holt, vice president of environmental safety and quality systems at Texas-based Southwest Research Institute and former ASME President. We have been able to float with the economy, says Jerry Cabak, a senior development engineer at Lick Engineering, UCO/Lick Observatory, CA. Cabak says the grant money for new projects in his department has been affected by the economy, but he hasnt seen any major layoffs. We had a salary cut (furlough) from August 20092010, but since then we have recovered back to our 100% salary, he notes.Their sentiments are reflected in the results of the 2011 Engineering Income and Salary Survey, conducted by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), which shows that engineering professionals continue to earn good salaries. Over 11,000 engineers from the U.S. responded to the online survey between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011.Who Earns What and Where?The Pacific Southwest continues to have the highest zentralwert salary, followed by the South Central States and the Middle Atlantic States.So whats the value of engineers in todays m arket? The survey data revealed that the average salary for an engineer in the U.S. in 2011 was $99,738, slightly lower than the $102,227 figure reported in the 2010 survey. Average income for engineers varies depending on discipline, qualifications, experience, and location. The Pacific Southwest continues to have the highest zentralwert salary of $98,500, followed by the South Central States ($96,000) and the Middle Atlantic States ($91,500). The lowest full-time salaried median incomes are found in the Upper Mountain States ($80,484), the Central Plains States ($84,000), and the Great Lake States ($84,000).Which Jobs Pay Best?There are 27 engineering disciplines represented in the survey engineering jobs that offer the highest compensation are in fire protection ($130,000). This group is followed by those in ocean ($127,000), minerals and metals ($124,000), petroleum ($123,000), cost management ($122,750), computer ($121,245), and healthcare facility ($120,027). At the other end of the income spectrum are those employed in agricultural, architectural, geotechnical, structural, HVAC and refrigeration, and civil (all between $79,227 and $85,000). The median income of a mechanical engineer last year was $93,600.Does the Level of Education Matter?Increased education in the engineering field results in higher earnings.You bet it does. According to the survey, increased education in the engineering field results in higher earnings. Full-time salaried respondents holding doctoral degrees in engineering have a median income of $110,000. Those with an M.S. in engineering earn a median of $92,000. Finally, those with a B.S. in engineering earn a median income of $82,712. Those holding a doctorate in engineering earn a median 33% more than those with a B.S. in engineering. Full-time salaried survey respondents holding an M.B.A. or an M.B.A. and an M.A. or M.S. have higher median incomes than those holding an M.S. in engineering.Is there a Gender gemeinsame agrarpoliti k?The U.S. responses reflect a salary gap between men and women.The U.S. responses reflect a salary gap between men and women. The median income of female engineers ($75,000) is less than male engineers ($91,679). But according to Holt, the gender gap as defined in the literature for the past several decades is definitely closing. In the engineering profession today, I see equal pay for equal skill levels and growth potential equivalent to the value added by the individual, he adds.I dont think there is any kind of bias. Its historically that males have dominated this industry, says Cabak. When I graduated, there were predominatelymen in engineering, but now theres a good mix. There is an industrial push at many levels to encourage women to join the business, he adds.What Lies Ahead?Both Holt and Cabak agree that engineering is a great career choice for young graduates. We continue to design, develop, and manufacture so there will always be a need for engineers in this world, says C abak. Holt says engineering is leise a sought after skill and will be well into the future. The energy and water, natural resources, and related fields will become more engaging and need the skill of the engineering workforce to meet the demands of a growing world population, he adds.The Engineering Income and Salary Survey is an open-ended poll that gathers information continually to keep abreast of compensation trends. It lets engineers see how their salaries stack up against others in their region, industry, or age group. View the online version of the salary survey for the most current salary information and participate in the poll. The data can be searched by organization type, full-time employees, revenue, industry, years in the industry, educational degree, age, and geography. Geographical searches can be organized by state, major metropolitan area, ZIP code, and five regionsNorth Central, North East, South Central, South East, West Coast.Engineering is still a sought after s kill and will be well into the future.Amos E. Holt, VP, Environmental Safety and Quality Systems, Southwest Research Institute

How to Be More Assertive at Work (Not Aggressive) - The Muse

How to Be More Assertive at Work (Not Aggressive) - The MuseHow to Be More Assertive at Work (Not Aggressive)Have you ever admired a co-worker whos able to navigate challenging situations with ease and professionalism, no matter the politics and difficult personalities involved? You know the type She has a Teflon-like ability to deflect anger and frustration in the problem-solving process and doesnt settle for an outcome that would sacrifice herbei self-respect or clout among colleagues. What shes exhibiting is a key personality attribute thats important in both business and life assertiveness. For those of us who avoid confrontation like the plague- or, on the flipside, those of us who have hair-trigger tempers- this calm-yet-effective, agreeable-yet-firm temperament seems superhuman. Assertiveness requires skill and can take time to cultivate, but its a quality you can (and should) aspire to master.Put simply, being assertive is a happy medium between the two extremes of aggressive and passive. While aggressive people adopt the my way or the highway stance, coming off as hostile and abrasive, passive people can be pushovers, giving up their power and allowing themselves to be taken advantage of, creating a surefire recipe for burnout-syndrom and resentment. Assertive people, on the other hand, tend to seek out and create win-win scenarios. Assertive people understand the value of making their desires and beliefs known, but their pride isnt damaged if their solution isnt the one that comes out on top. Confident and assured, these people approach situations with a healthy dose of objectivity, and as a result, are able to communicate clearly and work through challenges in a low-stress, no-drama, and self-honoring way.Many people find it challenging to project assertiveness precisely because it requires you to walk a fine line between being pushy and pacifying. To help you navigate this tricky road, here are a few examples of how to be more assertive in some comm on workplace scenarios- without turning into the office jerk. Situation 1 Getting the Team Behind Your PlanYour team is in charge of launching a new sales campaign, and you have a killer idea. The team meets to discuss how to get started, and youre excited to propose your approach.Passive Approach You wait for your boss to make the first suggestion, then take the path of least resistance by agreeing, rather than putting your idea on the table or even suggesting ways to improve upon her strategy.Aggressive Approach You immediately present your perfect idea as the one the team needs to adopt and, without taking a breath, begin assigning tasks. If anyone tries to suggest an alternative, you shake your head and say, That wont work. All the while, youre pretending not to notice the eye-rolls happening around the table.Assertive Approach As you listen to the various suggestions your colleagues are floating, you both acknowledge their strong points and assume a role in solving potential ch allenges. You might say, for example, Its a great idea to track prospective client interactions. What if we did it over six months instead of three? That would allow us to collect more data and make better decisions for the next fiscal year.In this last scenario, youve stated your case in a way that acknowledges others perspectives and backed up your ideas with factual reasoning, rather than emotions. Youve successfully contributed value to the conversation, but not at the cost of making other team members feel unvalued.Situation 2 Its Time for a Raise, But Your Boss Isnt Making Any MovesAfter asking for a raise during a abfertigung with your boss, she says that youll have to wait at least another six months(https//www.themuse.com/advice/how-to-stay-motivated-when-youre-not-getting-a-raise. The companys just not able to give raises right now, but she assures you your performance is such that youll be considered for a salary bump when the time is right. Passive Approach You swallow y our disappointment and nervously utter, Oh, thats fine- no problem, to assuage the awkwardness of the situation. But later, you go home and complain about it for hours, because you feel its completely unjust.Aggressive Approach After being told youll need to wait for a raise, you inform your boss that youre going to begin to look for opportunities elsewhere- where someone will treat you like you deserve to be treated.Assertive Approach Because you respect yourself and your need to be compensated fairly as much as you want to understand your boss reasoning, you dont let your bruised ego get the best of you and lash out. Instead, you ask for more clarity on the companys future and define tangible goals and targets that you can review when you revisit your salary request down the road. In the assertive approach, youre showing resilience by responding in a proactive, future-oriented manner, signaling maturity, level-headedness, and a commitment to the company. Situation 3 Managing the T eam for Top ResultsOne of your direct reports is seriously missing the mark. His deliverables are sloppy, other colleagues are starting to complain about having to plek up his slack, and on top of all that, he rolls in late every day. Its time to step in.Passive Approach Next time he turns in a terrible first draft of a report, you stay up until 2 AM redoing it on your own- and then fume about his poor performance to other colleagues when hes not around.Aggressive Approach Go full-on Jerry McGuire on him, demanding to know why hes so stupid, assuring him that hes unhirable anywhere else, and that youre doing him a favor by not letting him go- all but firing him on the spot. Assertive Approach In a private meeting, you clearly communicate why his work isnt acceptable, pointing to his failure to satisfy core procedural requirements, but are careful not to take aim at his personal qualities. Harnessing your emotional intelligence and empathy, you invite him to let you know if there is anything else going on. Perhaps hes struggling with personal issues that are detracting his focus from work. Or, maybe hes not clear on your instructions. To keep projects on track and better your relationship, you schedule a weekly meeting to check in and create a channel for clear communication.In the final option, youve taken control of the situation instead of letting the problem linger and have presented a scenario in which both you and your report win. Learning how to be more assertive- sticking up for yourself without being a total jerk- will not only earn you respect among co-workers, but itll also reduce your stress, making you feel more confident about yourself and your interactions with others. This high road that assertive people take is where the best outcomes happen- so by training yourself to look for the win-win opportunities in challenging situations, youll come out on top.