Bulletin Articles
The door to the truth
An ancient book in the CERN library captivated two scientists. It told of a place at the end of the world, where the sky touched the earth and they would find the answer to all their questions.
“Women negotiate poorly, lack self-confidence and are risk-averse.” Really?
This stereotype is often trotted out to explain the lack of equality between men and women in the world of business, but recent research completely disproves it.
Fair’s fair – now what?
Martina1 comes to see me, rather put out: “My boss has landed me with a “fair2”. I’ve had it now!”
Stress: a contagious phenomenon
“My supervisor is getting angry more and more often: he loses his temper with us, shouts at us and throws things across the room,” Dimitri*, a CERN fellow, tells me.
Mediation: finding common ground
Vanja and Marek are no longer on speaking terms. Vanja took over the group six months ago and has been working to make the service more customer-oriented. But Marek thinks the most important thing is technical excellence
Don’t forget experience!
Frans started his career at CERN as an engineer in 1992, after having worked for about 10 years in industry in his home country. He’s an ordinary chap who has progressed regularly in his career and has survived several reorganisations.
Microaggressions: respond or let it go?
Tom’s farewell drink had got off to a good start and, after a few glasses, everyone was in high spirits.
Communication: nurture your relationships!
It’s not uncommon in communication for a hidden message to take on more importance than what’s actually said.
What can I, in my role as Ombud, do to help you in practical terms?
People often ask me: “But what can you do for us in practical terms? What actions can you take?”
Personal conflicts: opportunities for progress
In prehistoric times, there were only two ways to resolve a conflict: fight or flight. And there was always a winner and a loser. Then, one day, someone discovered a revolutionary new approach: negotiation, or aiming to find a solution that satisfies the interests of both parties.