How to respond when sensitive subjects derail your team

Talking about subjects such as politics, sexual orientation, religion or money can cause some employees to become uncomfortable, so leaders should create clear boundaries when such topics arise and steer conversations back to work-related topics, writes executive communication coach Andrea Wojnicki. If necessary, speak with those raising uncomfortable issues in private and let them know such subjects can be unsettling for other team members.

Put it into practice: If a private conversation with the team member or members who insist on talking about controversial issues doesn't work, "seek support from management or HR," Wojnicki advises. "They can help reinforce workplace policies and ensure a respectful workplace."

You could be afraid of building out your professional network if you don't have a short, powerful introduction already planned, you are shy about starting conversations and you don't like to "brag" about your accomplishments, writes business presentation coach Leslie Fiorenzo. "Shifting your mindset, setting realistic goals, practicing active listening, attending networking workshops and seeking support from peers are effective strategies for transforming networking from a source of fear into a rewarding aspect of your leadership journey," Fiorenzo writes.

Put it into practice: Improve your networking skills by inviting a colleague to join you at events, and take time for networking seminars to learn best practices, writes Fiorenzo. "These opportunities provide valuable insights, practical tips and a supportive environment for overcoming networking fears."

Getting recognized for your work when you're hesitant to speak up for yourself is easier if you focus on how your work improved a process or business interest, you suggest solutions when conflict arises and you take on projects that expand your skills and knowledge, writes Jessica Chen, the founder and CEO of Soulcast Media. "If you do good work (which you absolutely do), you've got to talk about it. You can't expect people to know because they're busy too," Chen writes.

Put it into practice: Use the ACCT acronym to begin speaking up for yourself by asking for what you want, circling back to deliver a gentle reminder, celebrating your wins by talking about them in subtle ways and tactfully turning down requests that take you away from your passion projects, writes Chen. "We advocate for ourselves because we care about the work."

The most rewarding part of the job for Adrienne Chance, the senior vice president of communications and executive director for the SpartanNash Foundation, is seeing her team members succeed and build their confidence, which reminds her to "embrace the difficulties" and stay committed. "Be the kind of person who gets things done. Push through objections and roadblocks with determination," Chance says.

Visitors to author Ernest Hemingway's house in Key West, Fla., are not allowed to touch the furniture, but no such rules apply to the 59 cats that roam the estate. In London, a cat named Larry is mouser-in-chief at the prime minister's office, another named Hodge prowls Southwark Cathedral, where visitors can purchase a plush likeness, and Lilibet the cat is a star attraction at the Lanesborough Hotel. Cats are also prominent residents of the White House, Russia's Hermitage Museum and coffee shops from Puerto Rico to Kosovo.

When it comes to the utility-scale and residential solar sectors in the US, Daniel Cruise, partner at Lium Research, says current trends tell a tale of two markets. While the utility-scale market is booming and enjoying record construction starts, the residential market is struggling. Cruise also notes a change in where a major industry player is sourcing modules for its large scale projects and makes a bold prediction about the amount of solar that will be connected to the grid in the US during the next two years.

We are seeking speakers who are willing to share their experience transforming workflows, teams and enterprises with AI in an upcoming event where we will explore the future of work in the age of AI. This won't be a technical event, so keep your leadership hat on. We're looking for insights into how AI is transforming work today and (more importantly) tomorrow in an effort to arm leaders to make the most of the AI opportunity. Your perspective can address strategy, HR, change management, mitigating risk and more.

If this sounds like you, please send an email with your name, LinkedIn profile and a few sentences describing how AI is moving your team forward and the process you went through to get where you are today.

I felt more than a twinge of recognition in two of today's stories. I am a lousy networker because I am shy in social situations where I don't know many people, and I am not good at speaking up for myself and my accomplishments in the workplace.

Leslie Fiorenzo's advice is good, especially her tip to get a friend to go with you to work the room and take a workshop or two on how to network effectively. I have seen the power of networking (even though I'm not good at it) after getting at least a couple of jobs in my life through friends who worked in places I wanted to join. An inside referral really is worth its weight in gold, so networking is a crucial component in moving your career forward.

As for tooting your own horn in your workplace, I like Jessica Chen's idea to talk about your accomplishments in terms of how they have helped move the business forward or solved internal process challenges. That's an easy way to brag on yourself without being too much of an actual brag! She also has a whole section in that article on how to speak up in meetings that's worth trying out if you want to get your ideas in front of your team and the C-suite.

As Chen notes, nobody can read our minds, and they're busy with their duties, so it really is part of our job to bring up the areas where we're making solid contributions so we get the notice (and perhaps the promotions) that we deserve.

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What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have praise? Criticism? Drop me a note. And don't forget to send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off.