AJ Discala On Maximizing Productivity and Minimizing Office Conflict

Most of us spend the bulk of our waking hours in an office environment. “You’ve got to do your best to make the most of it,” says AJ Discala. “I expect a lot from my employees and colleagues, and I rely on the people I work with to tell me what they need from me and management to meet our expectations.” One of the ways to do this is learning how to communicate with your employer in ways that increase your productivity and, when necessary, make the workplace less toxic. For example, when many of his employees commented that they were uncertain about their core job responsibilities, Discala encouraged a company-wide practice of hours tracking. He also ensured that a board member was available to discuss work load and job satisfaction with each employee on a regular basis. The Broadsmoore Group is in the unusual circumstance of having three families working in the same office, which provides its own unique set of challenges and rewards. “Every day, we learn from each other how to manage our shifting relationships and responsibilities,” says AJ Discala. “At the end of the day, we know we still have to sit at the Thanksgiving table together. So pick your battles carefully and treat each other kindly.”