Would you rather work for a MAN or WOMAN boss?

 What is your strategy for working with a man or woman boss?
Your Rant: I really struggle to understand how men think at work. Can you give me some insight so I can do a better job of working with them?

911 Repair:
Whenever I think of the workplace battle of the sexes, I think of Michael [...]

Surviving coworkers who are slackers

What’s your strategy for dealing with a slacker?
Your Rant: Everyone has always called me a type-A personality. Recently I realized that it wasn’t a compliment, most people just thought I was a jerk. I’d like to change, but I don’t even know where to start.

911 Repair,
If I had to pick a favorite type of [...]

How to be less cynical

What’s your strategy for being less cynical?
Your Rant: Recently I was having lunch with some coworkers and I realized that every word coming out of my mouth was negative. What can I do to become less cynical?
911 Repair:
Your email reminded me of the school board election in Mississippi County, Arkansas, earlier this fall. There [...]

How to handle a bully at work

Lost! How do I find a job?

What’s your strategy for finding a job? 
Your Rant: I’ve got a great resume, I’m really respected in my field and I send out resumes every week, yet I’m having no luck landing a job.
911 Repair:
Your e-mail reminds me of the valedictorian of New Orleans’ Alcee Fortier Senior High School. She recently failed the state’s [...]

What employees wish their boss knew

What would you like your boss to know? 
Your Rant: I have 10 employees who are working for me and they all seem to be moving in slow motion. What can I do to get them to perform better?
911 Repair:
The U.S. Court of Appeals overturned the “armed” robbery conviction of Deshon Odom. Sure he was [...]

What bosses wish their employees knew

What would you like to tell your employees? 
Your Rant: I am frustrated by the people that I manage. They are always willing to blame the boss for problems, but they never seem to acknowledge how they’ve contributed to the mess.
911 Repair:
Whenever I think of what it is like to be a boss today, [...]

Success after being fired

What’s your strategy for recovering after being fired?
Your Rant: FIRED FIRED FIRED-I give up
911 Repair: I’ve received many e-mails from people who not only land on their feet after a firing or a layoff, they actually end up in an even better place. I’ve included a series of success stories below. For more, check out [...]

Stopping a feud with a co-worker

How would you end a feud with a co-worker? 
Your Rant: I’ve had a long standing feud with a co-worker. I’m starting to think that it might be time to end it, but I don’t even know where to start. TRUCE
911 Repair:
Your e-mail reminded me of the 22-year-old man who robbed a Vancouver, Wash., Chevron [...]

Outsider or insider, who is more effective?

What’s your strategy for becoming the inside guy with your boss? 
Your Rant: The following is an e-mail from a reader who went from being a “rebel” to being a “mole” (he defines a mole as someone who works alongside his boss to make change from the inside). I think his e-mail raises interesting questions about the [...]