The folks at Mind Tools say an average office worker receives about 80 emails per day. If your message is one of 80, or more, it can get lost in the shuffle. As creators of solutions, Mind Tools has developed several tips that will help your emails get noticed and answered. Don’t over-communicate. Write only […]
Read More →Recently, I called on a number of technical experts for assistance. I found more disappointment than satisfaction. People seemed to be reading scripts, absent real understanding of their products and processes. If you’re looking to stand out in your workplace, insure that each customer you come in contact with leaves feeling good about the interaction […]
Read More →I enjoy ads and commercials. The good ones stick with me. I’m impacted by their images, sounds and words. The best ones have a dramatic tagline or slogan – a succinct, repeatable core message about the product or service that conveys the essence of what the company wants you to believe and remember. They’re designed […]
Read More →Call me old-fashioned, but I like receiving a response when I communicate, unless I say, “No need to reply.” And, from a number of recent conversations, I know I’m not the only one with a preference for closing the communication loop. So, if I call you, please call me back. If I text you, […]
Read More →Developing your reports, and mentoring others, is a big, critically important part of every manager’s job. Yet, some do work their reports could do. They solve problems others could handle with coaching. When an employee comes and describes a challenge he or she is having with a task, process or relationship, particularly if […]
Read More →The word gossip carries a negative connotation, yet we all do it. We share good and bad news about someone who’s not in the room, and we do it for a couple of reasons. First of all, information is power. By being the one to share a juicy tidbit, you demonstrate that you’re in […]
Read More →When you engage with others, particularly when raising an issue, be clear about the role you want them to play. Knowing what you want, and asking for it, enables others to do a better of job of helping you in just the way you want. For example, you could ask the person […]
Read More →In her book, The Essentials of Business Etiquette, Barbara Pachter provides readers with many valuable tools for success, including tips that will help you manage your smartphone use with intelligence. Pachter says: Speak your first and last name when answering your your phone. Make sure the volume of your speaking voice is […]
Read More →From Thanksgiving until the New Year, appreciation, acknowledgement, gratitude, rededication, celebration, joy, peace and hope are prevalent in the awareness of many people. The meaning and energy of these kinds of words stimulate good feelings. Good feelings cause us to think more positive thoughts, and smile more. They even help us behave in […]
Read More →I enjoy this time of year. And, it’s seems many others do, as well. It’s a season of fun-filled gatherings and sharing good wishes. During this time of year, kindness, warm smiles and generosity are legitimized in all dimensions of life. Perhaps you and your co-workers are making plans for a luncheon at […]
Read More →As one who has committed her professional pursuits to helping others become more self-aware – more attuned to the degree to which their intentions and impact align, hear me out: if you’re a boss who tends to be moody, it’s hard for your reports and colleagues to relax and feel safe in your […]
Read More →To exude personal power and executive presence, insure that your spoken and unspoken messages are congruent. Nonverbal behavior is powerful, so be aware of the story your body tells! Here’s how: First, breath deeply, in a relaxed manner. You’ll feel and look calm and in control. Practice your posture in the mirror. Stand […]
Read More →Looking for a way to bring order to your next team meeting? Work with the group to establish mutually agreed upon behavioral norms. Here are several examples to prime the pump: Participate fully; be present and engaged. Communicate honestly and candidly; put it all on the table. Speak one at a time; […]
Read More →The next time you have a difference of opinion with someone, before beginning an argument or concluding they’re wrong or crazy, practice the skill of Inquiry. Inquiry is a respectful way of probing in order to better understand another’s reasoning and can help you avoid drawing faulty conclusions based on false assumptions about what’s going […]
Read More →If you’re questioning the level of trust on your team, here’s checklist you can use to make an informal assessment: Is information shared openly? Are mistakes tolerated and encouraged as a way of learning? Does the culture spark creativity and innovation? Are team members loyal enough to not speak negatively about others when they’re not […]
Read More →Want to do a better job with your next presentation, the next meeting you host, the next project you lead, the next difficult-to-motivate person you coach? All you have to do is identify and alter your self-limiting beliefs and behavior concerning your ability to perform the specific task well. While […]
Read More →Have you ever participated in an important conversation, walked away thinking there was clarity and alignment, only to discover, later, that there were as many interpretations of what was said as there were people present? Such miscommunications are costly, in terms of time, money, rework, relationship tensions and reputation. The fix is simple and easy, […]
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