Workplaces are full of those “love/hate” moments – things you appreciate one minute, and the next, you're wishing you could avoid altogether!
From back-to-back meetings and the pressure of delivering feedback, to the challenges of remote work and navigating change, it can feel like a constant balancing act.
In this post, we’re tackling those common struggles head-on, offering practical solutions to help you turn the not-so-great into something more manageable.
Let’s dive in!
1. Love/Hate with Meetings
The Love: Meetings can foster collaboration, build relationships, and move projects forward. There’s an energy in having face-to-face conversations (or video calls) that is both productive and motivational!
The Not-So-Great: Let’s be honest – how many times have you left a meeting thinking, "This could have been an email”? Unclear (or altogether lack of) agendas, constant rescheduling, and the endless stream of Zoom calls can make us want to hide under a pile of paperwork.
The Solution: Streamline and be intentional. Set clear agendas beforehand to set expectations, keep meetings as short as possible, and consider whether a meeting is truly necessary. Could an email or Slack message handle it? If the meeting is required, focus on outcomes and action items. It’s all about respecting everyone's time – including your own!
2. Love/Hate with Feedback
The Love: Feedback is a game-changer. When done right, it drives growth, development, and strengthens team relationships. It’s an opportunity to motivate employees and fine-tune performance.
The Not-So-Great: But the word “feedback” can make some of us cringe. If it's too vague, poorly delivered, or feels like a lecture, it can come off as criticism rather than constructive advice. It can also be tough for managers who worry about how feedback will be received. We get it!
The Solution: Make feedback specific, actionable, and timely. Don’t wait for performance reviews to give feedback – make it informal and part of your daily or weekly check-ins. For employees, give them the chance to self-reflect before you offer your insights. And always, always focus on growth and improvement, not just what went wrong / what could have gone better.
Pro tip: Create a space for open dialogue to make feedback a two-way conversation. Ask questions like, “How do you feel about your recent project?” or “Is there anything I can do to help you with X?” This approach creates a partnership around growth rather than a one-sided “I’m right, you’re wrong” dynamic.
3. Love/Hate with Remote Work
The Love: Remote work is great. As a remote-first team, we’re big advocates of this dynamic work environment. It offers freedom, saves time on commuting, increases work-life balance, and enables your people to tailor their environment for productivity!
The Not-So-Great: While remote work offers plenty of benefits, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. It can sometimes leave employees feeling disconnected or isolated from the team. On top of that, some employers struggle with tracking performance and keeping the company culture strong when everyone’s working from different locations.
The Solution: The key is creating a balance between flexibility and structure! Schedule regular team check-ins, offer opportunities for virtual bonding (even if it’s just a 10-minute “coffee chat”), and set clear expectations on communication and deliverables. Remote work doesn’t have to be isolating if you keep the human element front and centre. Trust your team, keep them engaged, and ensure alignment on projects and initiatives!
4. Love/Hate with Change
The Love: Change means growth, innovation, and new opportunities. We live in a fast-paced world where adaptability is crucial, and the excitement that comes with change can breathe new life into a team or project!
The Not-So-Great: Change is also hard. It’s inevitable, but not everyone reacts to it with open arms. Whether it’s a new system, process, or leadership change, employees can feel anxious or frustrated by shifts, especially when they feel out of the loop. It can disrupt comfort zones, create uncertainty, and can often involve additional training or adjustment periods that can make employees nervous.
The Solution: Communication is everything when it comes to change. Keep employees in the loop as much as possible and let them know the “why” behind the change. Offering training or resources can also ease the transition. Create a culture where change is seen as an opportunity for growth, not a hurdle!
Pro tip: Don’t surprise your team with major changes. Surprise changes are usually met with resistance – naturally! If you can, provide advanced notice and give employees the chance to prepare. The more you can anticipate and manage the emotional response to change, the smoother your transition will be.
5. Love/Hate with Salary & Benefits
The Love: Salary and benefits are always top of mind for employees. They love competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages, which provide financial security and show that their employer values them. Health insurance, retirement plans, and generous time off are just a few of the perks that make employees feel supported and appreciated!
The Not-So-Great: For employers, there’s often a balancing act. Rising costs and limited budgets make it tough to meet employees’ expectations without breaking the bank. How do you provide top-notch compensation without putting a strain on your company?
The Solution: Focus on the whole package. If you can’t compete with top industry salaries, shift your focus to creating a comprehensive benefits package to support your team and show your appreciation! This can help ensure your employees know you care about their growth, well-being, and work-life balance.
Turning Woes into Wins
Whether it's meetings, feedback, remote work, change, performance reviews, or salary and benefits, every aspect of the workplace presents its own set of challenges.
But the magic lies in how we approach them.
The solution isn’t avoiding these struggles. Instead, it’s about being intentional, transparent, and proactive.
Transforming the "not-so-great" side of these topics into opportunities for improvement, we don’t just overcome challenges; we create stronger, more resilient teams.
The key takeaway? A little effort to address the tough stuff with authenticity and empathy can go a long way in fostering an environment where everyone can succeed and feel valued.
Struggling to find the balance?
If you’re tired of the love/hate struggle and want practical solutions, we’re here to help.