Problem Solving (Archives)

What Is Problem Solving?

The Problem Solving column addresses short questions from readers about interpersonal and ethical issues in the workplace. It appears on Fridays or Saturdays in the Careers section of the Globe and Mail. Readers can send in short questions (100 words, no attachments) to spinker at globeandmail.com.

If their question are selected for the column, a pseudonym will be used; the reader will not be identified by name in print. Susan Pinker regrets that she cannot address questions that the reader does not want published in the newspaper, nor can she give clinical advice by email. Clinical questions should be addressed to a family doctor or psychologist in your area.

2010

Taking the road less travelled: The Globe and Mail, July 30, 2010
How to deal with round-the-clock work pressures: The Globe and Mail, July 16, 2010
Friendly overture could help co-worker: The Globe and Mail, July 02, 2010
Divide and conquer the powerful office clique: The Globe and Mail, June 05, 2010
Knowing the difference between public and private: The Globe and Mail, May 14, 2010
Don't be hoodwinked by what you think you know: Globe and Mail, April 21, 2010
Self-sabotaging lapses: Globe and Mail, April 9, 2010
Tame the gossip tiger: Bring in the top brass: Globe and Mail, March 19, 2010
The great workplace discipline dilemma: Globe and Mail, February 28, 2010
Family comes first, even if it means fudging truth: Globe and Mail, January 30, 2010
A painful secret divulged - and a course of action: Globe and Mail, January 2, 2010

2009

The perils of carrot and stick: Globe and Mail, December 5, 2009
Health or honesty: Which takes priority?: Globe and Mail, November 21, 2009
Dress for success, not for debt: Globe and Mail, October 24, 2009
Don't get swept up in the herd mentality: Globe and Mail, October 10, 2009
Connecting online: Small investment, big return: Globe and Mail, September 30, 2009
The motivational paradox of big bonuses: Globe and Mail, September 11, 2009
Workplace hazing: Time to face the harrassers head on: Globe and Mail, August 26, 2009
From the ant colony to the office colony: How to make others pitch in: Globe and Mail, August 12, 2009
Fishing for female directors? Try fresh waters: Globe and Mail, July 4, 2009
Ease anxiety over layoffs with a Plan B: Globe and Mail, June 18, 2009
Face time is crucial to morale and productivity: Globe and Mail, May 20, 2009
In this job climate, pick battles carefully: Globe and Mail, April 22, 2009
Expose the bullies at work: Globe and Mail, March 4, 2009
Best to deliver bad news facts: Globe and Mail, February 18, 2009
Unthinkable act leaves behind unspeakable hurt: Globe and Mail, February 4, 2009
How to stay up when reversals of fortune are getting you down: Globe and Mail, January 21, 2009

2008

Timely and tricky advice: Serving booze to colleagues: Globe and Mail, December 31, 2008
A bug's life in a dog-eat-dog world: Globe and Mail, December 17, 2008
Workaholics need to keep it all in perspective: Globe and Mail, December 10, 2008
Buddy, can you spare a coffee?: Globe and Mail, November 26, 2008
A thankless job: the shoulder to whine on: Globe and Mail, November 5, 2008
When the manager won't drink to that: Globe and Mail, October 22, 2008
When you're all alone in a new crowd: Globe and Mail, October 8, 2008
Exaggerating your abilities sets bar higher for yourself: Globe and Mail, September 24, 2008
Workmate seems a slacker? Beware 'the ocular proof': Globe and Mail, September 10, 2008
Dog days at the office? Not if you can help it: Globe and Mail, August 20, 2008
Ah, sun, sand, and arguing over the damn PDA: Globe and Mail, July 30, 2008
A lack of class comes out in the school staff room: Globe and Mail, July 9, 2008
You are what (and where) you eat: Globe and Mail, June 25, 2008
Courtesy is but flotsam in a sea of e-mail: Globe and Mail, June 11, 2008
Honesty is more than sums of the partnership: Globe and Mail, May 28, 2008
Valuable expertise need not go to waste: Globe and Mail, May 14, 2008
A united front against meanness: Globe and Mail, May 7, 2008
Emotional pain: the silent killer of spirit: Globe and Mail, April 23, 2008
For women in law, sole survival poses challenges: Globe and Mail, April 16, 2008
Double trouble: Spouses vying for a job: Globe and Mail, February 27, 2008
When office affair blooms, no need to reach for DDT: Globe and Mail, February 13, 2008
Retiring early may not be a great escape: Globe and Mail, January 30, 2008
Cheap shot? Consider where it comes from: Globe and Mail, January 16, 2008

2007

All in the family - except for a nephew: Globe and Mail, December 19, 2007
Christmas bonus may be nice, but it's also knotty: Globe and Mail, December 5, 2007
Data softens ride when flying by seat of your pants: Globe and Mail, November 11, 2007
Promotion becomes exile in 'administrivia': Globe and Mail, October 24, 2007
Reading, writing, and the worker who can't: Globe and Mail, October 10, 2007
Adults say the darnedest things - about having children: Globe and Mail, September 26, 2007
Stutterers, worry not in isolation: Globe and Mail, September 12, 2007
Three's a crowd, but you must make space: Globe and Mail, August 29, 2007
Dealing with difficult people is an art: Globe and Mail, August 15, 2007
Too old for long-term plans ...too young to be put out to pasture: Globe and Mail, July 25, 2007
I forget, have we discussed memory loss before?: Globe and Mail, May 2, 2007
When e-mail is not for your eyes: Globe and Mail, April 18, 2007
Sometimes, you have to look out for No. 1: Globe and Mail, April 4, 2007
The persistent prevail with consumers' rights: Globe and Mail, March 21, 2007
Bully boss wreaks havoc, but is there another side to the story?: Globe and Mail, February 28, 2007
Your darkest day, as seen through rose-coloured lens: Globe and Mail, February 21, 2007
Sealing e-mails with a kiss? Only if you mean it: Globe and Mail, February 7, 2007
Getting green with envy over a junior staffer's green: Globe and Mail, January 17, 2007

2006

She uses sarcasm, she knows all the tricks...: Globe and Mail, December 13, 2006
Immigrant job ghetto can turn into a Velcro rut: Globe and Mail, November 29, 2006
What's it going to be: money or meaning?: Globe and Mail, November 15, 2006
Show him the money? First, he must show the credentials: Globe and Mail, November 1, 2006
Need a mentor? Best to find your own: Globe and Mail, October 18, 2006
When a key employee proves to be a handful: Globe and Mail, October 4, 2006
Women naturally 'tend and befriend': Globe and Mail, September 23, 2006
A team player by any other term would rock the boat: Globe and Mail, September 6, 2006
Think you're not the real thing? It could be all in your head: Globe and Mail, August 23, 2006
Degree can make a poor pedestal: Globe and Mail, August 2, 2006
Female aggression can be deep-seated, tricky to deal with: Globe and Mail, July 19, 2006
That old job may seem better, but nostalgia will take you only so far: Globe and Mail, July 5, 2006
Stop pleasing others and please yourself instead: Globe and Mail, June 21, 2006
As new manager, scan the terrain before throwing your weight around: Globe and Mail, June 7, 2006
Drawing the line when doing the firm's dirty work: Globe and Mail, May 24, 2006
Who's in the loop when it's time to go: Globe and Mail, May 10, 2006
Legalities and realities of mat leave: Globe and Mail, April 26, 2006
Get help deciding what's most important in a job: Globe and Mail, April 12, 2006
Internet won't give you answers to problems: Globe and Mail, March 29, 2006
When bosses are 'an item,' here's how to tread: Globe and Mail, March 1, 2006
Depression doesn't have to mean unemployment: Globe and Mail, Feb. 15, 2006
Is it chicken to keep quiet about racist remarks?: Globe and Mail, Feb. 1, 2006
A blog can be an interview tool: Globe and Mail, Jan. 18, 2006
Don't put off dealing with your procrastinating issues: Globe and Mail, Jan. 4, 2006

2005

Your partner's too lazy to get a job? Maybe not: Globe and Mail, Dec. 21, 2005
It's the small things that bug us -- no, really: Globe and Mail, Dec. 7, 2005
Angry reaction to boss could spark backlash: Globe and Mail, Nov. 23, 2005
Less Can Be More When Balancing Work and Parenting: Globe and Mail, Oct. 26, 2005
Creative restlessness can take you to the top: Globe and Mail, Oct. 12, 2005
Women dance to different tune on raises: Globe and Mail, July 20, 2005
Too nice for your own good: Globe and Mail, May 11, 2005
Kinder, gentler sex?: Globe and Mail, June 8, 2005
Team work swallows up strong and weak: Globe and Mail, May 25, 2005
Take the stress out of vacation: Globe and Mail, June 15, 2005
Snap decision by boss are okay: Globe and Mail, June 1, 2005
Post Martha, say thanks with just a note or a lunch: Globe and Mail, Sept. 14, 2005
Look at yourself before you leap: Globe and Mail, July 6, 2005
Female bosses discriminate, too: Globe and Mail, June 10, 2005
Depression on the workplace: Globe and Mail, May 18, 2005
When the next cubicle is a broadcasting booth: Globe and Mail, August 31, 2005
Sick of covering up for a co-worker: Globe and Mail, August 17, 2005
What's to blame, burnout or the boss?: Globe and Mail, August 3, 2005
Bed rest means no work stress: Globe and Mail, June 22, 2005
Revealing one's faith at work can be positive step for all: Globe and Mail, Sept. 28, 2005

2003

Consider the Cost of Loyalty: Globe and Mail, Dec. 3, 2003
Coping with Bull Sessions and Burnout: Globe and Mail, Nov. 26, 2003
Mediator can Reframe Issue: Globe and Mail, July 2, 2003
What do Salary Secrets Hide: Globe and Mail, June 20, 2003
Who Me? I'm Perfect, Thanks: Globe and Mail, April 2, 2003