Category: Article
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Oh no, a new boss!
Oh no, a new boss! “Since Joanne* took over from Serge* as our team leader, things haven’t been going well. Serge knew our work inside out. We understood each other without having to spell everything out. It was only to be expected – he was our supervisor for 12 years. But we don’t know what
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Best wishes for 2021!
Best wishes for 2021! I hope that you have had a chance to relax and spend time with your loved ones, despite the restrictions. I wish you all the best for the new year. In 2021, I would like to spotlight the notion of respect. This is because I recalled a number of concerns that
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Performance evaluation: the mirror effect
Performance evaluation: the mirror effect The season for MERIT evaluations, those important milestones in our careers, is almost upon us. Among the many traps awaiting the supervisors carrying out these evaluations is the so-called mirror effect: a phenomenon in which we tend to appreciate people who are like us. Studies have even shown that this
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I’ve witnessed sexual harassment, what should I do?
I’ve witnessed sexual harassment, what should I do? “My teammate has been making inappropriate advances to a young colleague. She clearly feels cornered and doesn’t dare stand up for herself. Should I do something?” This is an understandable reaction: faced with sexual harassment, we’re not sure how to react. Is it really my business? Won’t
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Changing times
Changing times In early October, Director-General Fabiola Gianotti presented the new structure of the CERN Management. Those changes at the head of the Organization will be followed by a restructuring of some organic units at various levels. Any reorganisation inevitably brings with it uncertainty and concerns, especially for those working on the ground, who sometimes
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Everyone has their own way of communicating
Everyone has their own way of communicating Throughout our lives, we develop ways of speaking, listening and behaving that, without us realising, become our norm. These habits are rooted in our education, our culture and our various professional experiences, and may even depend on our gender. For those who communicate in similar ways, this might
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Leadership, a question of skills or of personal qualities?
Leadership, a question of skills or of personal qualities? “My boss has many personal qualities, but unfortunately he lacks expertise in his field. This means he has little credibility.” “Mine is a renowned expert in his field, but his social skills are so poor that no one wants to work with him.” Recent studies have
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Friendly communication… or how to achieve more by respecting your colleagues
Friendly communication… or how to achieve more by respecting your colleagues Francis* is livid. He bursts into his colleague Mary’s* office: “You’ve neglected to document your plans in EDMS once again – open the application right now and get it done!” How does Mary react to this demand? Final score for Francis? Zeroes across the
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Conflict resolution: define your needs clearly
Conflict resolution: define your needs clearly Francisco*: “I feel frustrated because stand-by duty is not shared out fairly between the members of the team. Out of 12 people, only six, myself included, regularly do stand-by duty; the others always get out of it using various excuses. A voluntary system doesn’t work; we need a new
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Holidays: the tonic you need to bounce back
Holidays: the tonic you need to bounce back “I’m caught up in a serious conflict with a colleague. I’m really worried about it and I don’t know how to sort it out. Luckily, I’m going on holiday for three weeks, which will help me step back and see things more clearly when I return.” Paid