From the category archives:

Communication

“I hear you” is Profitable

by Beth Sears

A consultant approaches a CEO and suggests, “If you improve your employees’ as well as your ability to listen, you will profoundly impact your bottom line.” Can you hear the response? “They just need to do as they are told,” or “We just invested in the best equipment money can buy, they just need [...]

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What is the best method of communicating with your unavailable boss?

by Lynn Dessert

“When is it appropriate to handle issues by e-mail versus in person? Some people are very busy and don’t have time to sit and talk.” This is a follow up question from a reader on this recent post.
I wrote back to ask some questions about whether or not they were the boss or subordinate, here [...]

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How to have a difficult conversation with someone

by Lynn Dessert

“So you are saying even being direct was not getting through to this assistant. I think asking them what they think, and if they heard what the problem is can make sure the other person heard this issue” is a follow-up comment by the reader who prompted this blog post.
In this particular blog post, the [...]

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Finesse can get in the way of effective communication

by Lynn Dessert

“I am usually very honest and tell it like it is at work. Honesty is the best policy. However, you have to have a certain finesse when letting someone know they need to improve on their skills”, was a recent comment received by email on Why Being Real is so Difficult.
The point she is making [...]

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Why connecting with others works…in more than one way

by Lynn Dessert

The great thing about sending a holiday message to clients, colleagues, friends and family is hearing something back from them. It keeps you connected and is a sign you may have made a difference in their lives.
I want to share an update I received from someone who asked for some advice this past summer. A [...]

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How Well Do You Detect a Liar?

by Lynn Dessert

What do you do if you think someone is not being truthful with you? Do you decide if someone is lying by your gut or intuition? Alternatively, are you someone who wants to investigate the facts because of what someone has said?
If you are a fact finder, you probably will try to go back to [...]

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You Can’t Talk Your Way OUT!

by Beth Sears

Communication is the thread that holds relationships and organizations together, yet there are times when communication alone cannot resolve an issue. Have you ever acted in a manner that you later regretted or that caused a problem?
You look at the issue at a later date and wished you had done things differently. Your ego may [...]

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Nine Ways to Deal Effectively with Human Resources

by Lynn Dessert

You are facing a major problem at work. It might be a conflict with your boss or a co-worker. You may have witnessed something unethical or you may have a wimpy boss and cannot figure out what to do about it. Whom do you turn to?
On a recent message board, the question is whether someone [...]

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Does Your Boss Avoid You?

by Lynn Dessert

Jim “Worthless” is an Engineering manager at a large company. That is not his real last name; it is what his employees call him behind his back.
Jim is known for making commitments and then handing them off to his people to complete with very little direction. If you were to talk to his employees they [...]

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A Trip to Abilene

by Lynn Dessert

There are times when leaders do not believe their teams are taking a trip to Abilene. The tall tale signs are “we just all get along or we go with the flow”.
Take a hard look if this describes your situation. The trip is brutal in more ways than one.
The Abilene Paradox by Jerry B. Harvey [...]

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What to do when Someone has Cancer in the Workplace

by Lynn Dessert

A co-worker has cancer. What will they do? What do you do? It is definitely an awkward moment for many people.
I was talking with a Sales Manager on the phone. One of his employees has cancer. As the employee shares his condition with his boss, he clearly states, “I don’t want there to be an [...]

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Resume Overload: What Can You Do?

by Lynn Dessert

At what point do you have too many resumes? I recently received a call from a job seeker who has 14 resumes who wants to network. I am already confused before I even have a chance to meet him.
I decided to reach out to a few recruiters in the business and ask them what they [...]

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Learn E-Body Language – Improve Your Online Communication Skills.

by Robert Whipple

Online communication is so much a part of everyday life that people normally take it for granted. Many of us view e-mail the same as face to face communication; we just type information as if we were chatting with someone in the lunchroom – potentially a big mistake. Learn the advantages of Understanding E-Body Language [...]

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