How to Break Your Bad Work Habits

The Wall Street Journal:

Two years after becoming vice president of innovation at VF Corp. , an apparel company based in Greensboro, N.C., Soon Yu was approached by one of his bosses, who quietly suggested that he do a 360-degree evaluation. Some of his co-workers were unhappy with his management style. The extensive review included Mr. Yu’s employees and bosses as well as a self-assessment.

“It was a really painful process,” says Mr. Yu, who was told that he could be overly critical and unilateral in his decision-making. “But all of these reviews gave me a better understanding of what was driving my bad behaviors.”

After some self-reflection, Mr. Yu realized that he’d inherited his father’s tough expectations. He also came from an entrepreneurial background and was used to making quick strategic decisions on his own. In contrast, VF had a very collaborative work culture.

Mr. Yu worked with several coaches to break his bad habits. Now, when he doesn’t agree with employees at meetings, for example, he doesn’t react by trying to impose his ideas over theirs. Instead, he links the instances that make him tense to more positive thoughts of his relationship with his wife. The visualization reminds him of how a successful marriage is about collaboration and how that same dynamic works equally as well with his team.

Read the whole story: The Wall Street Journal