Tag: Communication
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The harm that misunderstandings can cause
The harm that misunderstandings can cause The origin of the word “misunderstanding” is clear: it combines the prefix “mis-”, meaning badly or wrongly, with the noun “understanding”. So a misunderstanding is when something has been understood wrongly. Very often in the Ombud’s Office, when visitors come to see me about a conflict and we explore
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Need to step in to defuse a conflict?
Need to step in to defuse a conflict? The core of the Ombud’s mandate is to help resolve interpersonal disputes in a consensual and impartial manner. To this end, the Ombud offers mediation services, which can take the form of a facilitated conversation, shuttle mediations (good offices) or more in-depth, structured mediation. Mediation may seem
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Coping with pervasive anxiety
Coping with pervasive anxiety Thursday, 28 July was Earth Overshoot Day – the date when humanity has consumed all the resources that the earth can sustainably produce for the entire year. This information, heard first thing in the morning on the radio, just added to all the other bad news being broadcast daily by the
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The 4W repair kit for work relationships
The 4W repair kit for work relationships At the International Ombuds Association’s international conference, which I attended back in April, one of the speakers[1], Dr Patricia Robinson, shared a simple model that front-line managers can use to have productive conversations to help their people move towards better working relationships and belonging. The model helps them
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The two faces of Janus
The two faces of Janus When I took on the role of CERN Ombud, I was not prepared to encounter what I now call the “Janus” effect. Let me give you two examples*: Adam comes to my office to share his difficulties with his supervisor, Sandra: “She’s such an ill-minded, manipulative person. She takes all
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When respect is missing
When respect is missing It’s rare that visitors to the Ombud’s office complain about the outcome of administrative decisions. There are many types of decision that can impact someone’s career, from not awarding a contract or a promotion to rejecting or imposing internal mobility, or a refusal to grant the requested resources. Such decisions are
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Asking questions to clarify expectations
Asking questions to clarify expectations While the annual performance appraisal interviews are in full swing and thinking about my discussions on the subject with visitors to my office, I feel it’s appropriate to underline the importance of each party being open, honest, respectful and considerate and, in particular, of a clear agreement between the supervisor
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Knowing how to set limits for ourselves and others
Knowing how to set limits for ourselves and others We all have our own needs and our own limits. They are part of our personality and can change over time as our personal and professional lives evolve. Peter* is reserved and somewhat introverted. He is appreciated by his colleagues for his kind nature and the
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Five ways to jump-start a new job
Five ways to jump-start a new job I recently had the pleasure of hosting a virtual stand at the onboarding meeting for new CERN collaborators, “Connecting the dots”, where I also realised that none of the new colleagues I was talking to knew what an Ombud is. It was a pleasure to enlighten them. After
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Should you tell your colleagues everything?
Should you tell your colleagues everything? Olga* and Hans* have been sharing an office for several years. They don’t get on very well and have a lot of daily gripes, like all the personal phone calls Olga makes at the office. One morning, Olga arrives to find Hans sitting at his computer, deep in concentration.