Kevin Duncan reckons that we could make life – and particularly our working life – so much simpler and easier if we just learned from children.  Children are constantly learning, naturally curious and always asking questions.  Yet as we grow older, we can become hesitant about asking questions, in some cases to the point of giving up altogether.  And asking fewer questions can condemn us to a working life of directionless drudgery.   So what?  provides a handy toolkit of questions to get us back in the habit.  Questions force people to stop and think, something we can all do a good deal more of. 

As a recovering perfectionist (I’ll keep trying until I’ve perfected it), I can honestly say I’ve been on both sides of this experience.  As the employee, I’ve felt the dejection when something I’ve worked hard at gets the ‘red pen treatment’, i.e. nothing but fault-finding and critical feedback, ‘must try harder’.  Yet as a manager, I’ve also felt the frustration at having to explain something again – and again.  And maybe again.

Are you wondering how you’re doing?  Or how your people are doing?  Not sure?  You’re probably not alone. Well, if you still have a job description somewhere, that can be place to start – and I emphasise the ‘start’.  Take a look at your job or role description, and then put your ruthless editor hat on. 

This is a question that I get asked a lot.  With all the hours we spend at work, the relationship we have with our boss can be one of the most significant in our everyday lives.  It certainly has a big bearing on our happiness at the end of the working day.  And on our careers.  It would be foolish to generalise about bosses.  However, I can offer a general tip: ask them.  For example, ask them how they know you’re doing a great job.  Their definition of this may be completely different to yours.  Ask them what makes their day – and what really winds them up.  You might have unintentionally been irritating them – or delighting them.  Ask them how best to communicate with them.  Some love e-mail; others hate it. Get the dialogue going – and let me know how you get on.