People and Teams

People and Teams

People and Teams Stories
Huskies pulling a dogsled How to Stay Cool in a CrisisIn times of crisis, we can find ways to accomplish things at work that come from sources having nothing to do with work—or at least work as we know it. All types of activities from all walks of life can offer advice about how to deal with stressful situations and stay productive. Here's how to keep cool under pressure.
Employee receiving feedback Seeking Feedback the Right WayReceiving negative feedback can be uncomfortable. You may immediately get defensive. But to grow personally and in your career, you need to be able to receive feedback—both good and bad. Here's how to recognize the three types of feedback you will get, and know how to solicit it and respond to it in the right way.
Person about to shoot a rubber band at a coworker Is There a Place for Pranks in the Office?Some people think pulling pranks in the office is the height of hilarity. But they should remember that what they view as funny may not be viewed that way by those on the receiving end. There are many opportunities in the workplace for a joke to backfire. Before you think about pulling a prank, think it through.
Game pieces with a leader facing the other pieces Leadership in a Time of CrisisThere’s an old saying that leadership is defined by what a leader does in a crisis. The current COVID-19 situation is such a crisis for every business. Whether you lead just yourself, a team, a line of business, or an enterprise, now is the time to step up and be a leader. Here's how to do that when times are tough.
Stylish older woman with gray hair wearing a fedora Aging Gracefully in QAEmployee churn is inevitable in every industry, and positions are being filled by fresh young faces all the time. Instead of becoming worried or insecure, senior team members should embrace their new status as someone to be looked up to for experience, lessons, and mentoring abilities. Here's how to do that in QA.
Cozy home office 7 Tips to Make Working from Home Work for YouAt first glance, working from home might sound ideal, and it can be. But even with all the benefits, there are also numerous challenges. Deciding where, how, and when to work can take some adjustment. As more people are asked to or choose to work from home, these seven tips can help make the most out of remote work.
Employee frustrated by her absentee leader Absentee Leadership: The Worst Kind of ManagerAbsentee leaders are managers who are physically present but psychologically absent. They are incompetent and disengaged, to the extent that they don't support their teams adequately. If you have an absentee manager (and don’t have the luxury of seeking another position), here's how you can try to handle the situation.
Scrum team with different roles and jobs Scrum Roles, Goals, and YouThe Scrum Guide specifies that there are three roles: product owner, developer, and ScrumMaster. It’s essential that a Scrum team have each of these roles to help it work well. But depending on how you implement the roles, you may end up hurting rather than helping your Scrum process. Focus on goals, not job titles.