Month: June 2021

3 Ways To Spot A Potential Toxic Hire

Hiring an employee for your business is a big decision. It can end up costing you more money than gain by hiring a toxic employee. There are some areas that you can pay attention to when you are hiring an employee to help you avoid a big mistake. You can ask certain questions and look for different characteristics that can help you notice toxic traits.

Definition Of A Toxic Employee

A toxic employee won’t be a good addition to your business, because they don’t comply with your values and vision that you have. If they are not willing to work as a team, be honest, and respect your values, they are going to hurt your business more than benefit. Pay attention to what they are telling you and how they portray themselves during the interview.

Do They Fit Your Vision?

Interviewing a potential employee can be a stressful and exciting time. The vision that you have for your business should reflect on the employees that you hire. Ask them questions that help you see if they fit into that vision. Their personality will either match your vision or clash with it.

• Are you looking for elegancy?
• Are you looking for peacefulness?
• Are you looking for serenity?

If the person’s energy or personality doesn’t reflect the vision that you have for the atmosphere of your business, it probably isn’t the right choice. It doesn’t mean anything bad towards the individual, it just means they would be toxic to the vision that you have for your business.

Do They Respect Your Value?

When you are interviewing, ask them about themselves. Don’t go into much detail about what you are looking for in the employee. Let them tell you about the values that they have and how they portrayed themselves at previous jobs.

People will try and tell you what you want to hear if you tell them ahead of time what you are looking for. To get a real idea of their actual values is to talk with them. Pay attention to the answers and base your decision on them.

Are They Vulnerable?

Honest employees are probably on the top of any employer’s list. You should be able to trust the employee to be upfront and honest about things when they are on the job. Everyone is going to claim to be honest when asked, but telling about their weaknesses is a great way to really know about them. You will be able to see how forward and honest they are willing to be with you about past mistakes.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Mental Health Coverage In The Workplace

Mental health is something that more places and people should pay attention to. Especially right now with the global pandemic. People are spending more and more time isolated and alone. That is something that can really put a toll on people who struggle with depression and other mental health problems.

It is a more widespread problem that people face than is talked about. People don’t like to openly admit that they are suffering from a mental health problem. The SAMHSA recorded that one in every four people in the world is struggling with some sort of mental health diagnosis.

Mental Health

These disorders go unnoticed so often, depression is one that people don’t openly tell you they are struggling with. They feel embarrassed or ashamed, but it can lead to much worse situations. Suicide is growing at a rapid rate every year.

It has been recorded that 60% of suicide deaths were by people who were depressed. COVID is not helping in that percentage. The pandemic has also caused a lot of anxiety and anxiousness in people.

How It Affects The Workplace

When people are experiencing large amounts of stress, depression, or anxiety, they are not going to benefit the business as much as they could. They may be missing days of work due to their mental health. Even when they are there, they may not be accomplishing as much as they could because they are so distracted.

There are a variety of different kinds of mental health problems that people can face. The way that it affects them is going to be different for everyone too. Some of the major ones that people are facing are:

• Anxiety
• Panic Disorder
• Depression
• Bipolar
• Eating Disorder
• Phobias
• PTSD

Coverage for Mental Health

Some places have coverage in place and some don’t. It is a very important service that people should have the opportunity to take advantage of. In the past, it has always been something that shouldn’t be talked about in the workplace. Instead, in the current times, it is important to check in with people. Ask them things like:

• How Are You?
• Let’s Talk?
• Are you Okay?
• Do You Need Anything?

The current situations that are happening due to COVID-19 have caused a rise in many mental health problems for people. Workplaces can improve their productivity by making these services more available. When employees feel like they are being treated right, they are more likely going to be a better employee.

We would love to hear your comments on this article or any of our latest articles.

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.

Building Trust While Working Remotely

With the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are still working remotely. Some places have been using remote technology for many years and some are in a learning process through this. In many cases, businesses are realizing that they can work just as well remotely as in the office.

There is one thing that stands true though; you have to build a sense of trust with your employees that they are following protocol even at home. Trust is something that you build with someone usually in person, but working remotely puts a challenging twist on that. Some of the ways that you can still trust and even build trust in someone while at a distance are explained below.

Be Predictable

Being predictable in your job is a great way to build trust with your work peers. When you show up every day on time it can help to build trust, even if it is on the computer. Always try to be available during your working hours and following through with deadlines is critical.

Working from home is a whole new world for many people. Many have kids home and other family members home as well. It can be hard to find your groove and stay focused at home. Try to be predictable and be there when you are needed.

Stay In Touch

When you are working in person, you get to learn from people and know them. Working remotely makes that a little bit different. You have to get to know people through a computer screen. Keeping in touch with your fellow employees can help them to build trust in you.

You build friendships with people when working together, even if it is just a work friendship. When you begin remotely working, you are not able to do that the same way. Checking in with people and seeing how they are doing can help to not only build trust but encourage one another through this difficult time.

Be Supportive

As mentioned above, this is a whole new concept for many people. Whether it is for you or not, be supportive of one another. Not everyone does well with change. It may be a harder task to work from home than others. Don’t harass or put down others for struggles, try to uplift them and help them when they need it. Trust is built through supportive measures as well.

Please share your comments with us today!

Gary Brunson
gary@myclearfocus.com

Debra Rider
debra@myclearfocus.com

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.