The ease with which an email can be sent, and the rush to move on to the next task, can be a dangerous combination. The result can be emails that fuel the fire rather than move the process forward. So, if you haven’t read the sender’s entire email and understand the message, pause before you […]
Read More →Do You Frequently CC the Boss When Emailing Co-Workers? Does the boss request that she be CC’d to stay in the loop? Research from the University of Cambridge suggests that this damages trust. To many, copying the boss on emails is a clear signal that you suspect they’ll under deliver. It can feel like a […]
Read More →Increase Your Chances of Success Before You Take On The Boss Speaking truth to power is important, and risky. Often, it’s hard to understand when and why speaking up might backfire. Harvard Business Review contributors Megan Reitz and John Higgins suggest asking yourself these questions before confronting someone above you. How much do you believe […]
Read More →Feeling restless, not quite satisfied, like something is missing or there’s got to be more to work and life than this! You may be ready for a change. Here are four cues that signal it’s time for something new: You’ve stopped learning and growing. You’re not developing new skills and knowledge, yet you feel an […]
Read More →Did you know that those great Steve Jobs presentations that launched so many iconic products were rehearsed over and over? Jobs didn’t just read from a teleprompter; he embodied his message. Follow his example and you’ll make great presentations, effortlessly. To support you, here are three tips from the Harvard Business Review. Practice under mild stress. In addition to […]
Read More →Forbes.com contributor Mark Murphy says that about 25% of the population are intuitive communicators. They prefer knowing the big picture and getting to the bottom line, quickly. Intuitive communicators enjoy a disproportionately high representation among senior leaders. To test whether you’re an intuitive communicator, Murphy says to think back on a recent conversation and ask yourself three […]
Read More →Conflict is natural and inevitable. Our comfort level with addressing it determines our response and the outcome. Here are 11 tips for making it constructive, from Executive Coach Helen Baxter-Southworth and team dynamics expert Russ Forrester. Move toward conflict, not away from it. Deal with conflict openly and above board, not behind the scenes. Surface the conflict […]
Read More →When you communicate with others, do you use a one-size fits all approach? Do you write or speak from your perspective or from that of the person with whom you’re communicating? Effective communication requires attention to the ways your receiver processes information. To better understand others, try using the DiSC system. DiSC is an acronym for the behavior […]
Read More →Here’s a piece of good, practical advice from the late entrepreneur Jim Rohn. He said, “Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions to affect other people.” We’ve become more relaxed and informal […]
Read More → Are you struggling to stay positive in what may feel like a negative world? Negative energy can manifest itself in damaging ways that we don’t always recognize. Here are some suggestions that might help you turn that negative energy into something more positive. If you’re engaged in a contentious conversation, avoid being critical of […]
Read More →Although it doesn’t always feel like it, honesty is usually the best policy. Three studies conducted by researchers at University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Carnegie Mellon suggests that we overestimate the negative consequences of speaking honestly. Subjects were asked to speak in accordance with their own beliefs, thoughts and feelings to people […]
Read More →The impact email has had on productivity is arguably positive. It has sped up communication and disrupted limitations on when and where we can do business. But consider these two unintended consequences. First, email inboxes have become to-do lists and communication of record for some. But often, different subjects are discussed in a string, while […]
Read More →First there was IQ. Then came EQ or Emotional Intelligence. Now Judith Glazer of “The Harvard Coaching Institute” has introduced the concept of CQ or Conversational Intelligence. CQ taps into our need for self-expression and validation. Glazer says that in environments where people can share their aspirations, intentions and fears freely, the door opens for […]
Read More →If public speaking freaks you out, here are four rituals that Harvard Business Review Contributor Nancy Duarte says can pump you up, or calm you down. The Empathy Ritual can help you connect to your audience. Get to know your audience by working the room before you speak. Or sit in the audience seats looking […]
Read More →When updating your resume, you might be wondering how far back you should go, or how much should you pump yourself up. If you’re in the process of readying your resume for immediate distribution, Forbes.com contributor Liz Ryan offers a list of things you can remove. Any self-praising language like “savvy” or “senior-level. Ryan says […]
Read More →Have you heard the saying “good news travels fast?” Well, bad information travels even faster. The rumor mill can quickly take control of your message and cost you hours in damage control and lost productivity. To complicate matters, what is appropriate communication to one can be bad news to others. For example, simply announcing the […]
Read More → When you’re called on to give a presentation, here’s a simple tip that will make it memorable and meaningful for your audience. Tell stories. Instead of droning on about facts and figures, with slick slides tell a relevant story. When preparing for your next presentation, keep etiquette expert Barbara Pachter’s tips in mind. Use […]
Read More → To communicate effectively, we must be mindful about how our messages are sent and received. To that end, Mindtools.com breaks communication down into five component parts that are universally at play whenever we speak to another person. It all begins with the Source – which is you, coupled with the message you wish to […]
Read More → Pushing back, or attempting to influence others to move or change their position, is something we all need to do from time to time. So, what keeps us from advocating for ourselves, or the greater good? Fear. That gut wrenching discomfort that pops up when we rock the boat, think we’re seen as a […]
Read More →When we think we know we stop asking questions. Perhaps, we even stop listening. Sometimes, we assume we have the right answer or know what another is thinking. But, in reality, we don’t? If we want another’s truth, or we’re trying to collaborate and be inclusive, it’s important to ask others for their thoughts. A […]
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