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January 2, 2014
3 Ways that Conflict in a Relationship is like a Pile of Tangled Holiday Lights
Resolving Conflict: 3 options to decide on the right course of action.
Sitting on the floor in a pool of winter sunshine, I contemplated the similarities between the pile of tangled holiday lights before me, and the conflict that arises in our most important relationships. Read on to learn 3 ways that a pile of tangled holiday lights taught me important lessons about how to handle conflict with people I love…
Yesterday morning, I had the unenviable task of taking down the holiday décor and storing it away for the year. Normally, I would simply shove...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on January 2, 2014
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December 8, 2013
Building a Positive Workplace Through Feedback
Two Tips For Improving The Way You Give & Receive Feedback
If you are like millions of other Americans who work full-time, you probably spend more time at work than you spend anywhere else. You probably want your workplace to be a comfortable and positive place where you feel valued and appreciated, and where you can learn, grow and express yourself to others.
Of course, many people don’t have workplaces like that. Unhealthy relationships, power dynamics and downright “bad” behavior poison the climate in some workplaces, making it...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on December 8, 2013
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October 8, 2013
“Why wouldn’t you buy our product?”
Learn to counter-balance a customer’s concerns. Don’t confront them.
It was an unusual sales approach. At a county fair, a lady on a solar energy booth grabbed me as I walked past, and without introduction, popped the question:
“Why wouldn’t you invest in solar to reduce your home energy bills?”
My mind then promptly produced several excellent reasons for precisely why I wouldn’t buy solar to reduce my energy bills, and these reasons all came to me despite my notorious passion for inflicting all sort of green gizmos on our...Continue reading
By Peter PaskalePosted in Communication Skills on October 8, 2013
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September 22, 2013
React or Respond? For Goodness Sake, Choose Respond!
Four Components of "Whole Communication"
Instructions to create messages that destroy value: Open mouth, insert foot. Instructions to create positive messages that create value: Open mind, open mouth.
I know the former sounds familiar to you. Have you ever thought about the latter? That’s the difference between REACTING and RESPONDING. Responding takes a little time to plan and process, reacting takes no time at all. Just feel free to pop off! I’d be realistic and reduce my...Continue reading
By Sherri PetroPosted in Communication Skills on September 22, 2013
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September 4, 2013
Get ‘Em Onboard: Engage Employees by Being Real
Creating a Communication Strategy that Engages Employees
Much is being bandied about on how to best engage employees. We have employers who want engaged employees and employees who want to be engaged. From the employer side, research shows us engaged employees lead to better results. Kenexa reports that engaged companies have five times higher shareholder returns over five years. From the employee side, one of the many insights in a Towers Perrin 2009 report is that employees want to give more.
Okay, then. We have both sides wanting the same...Continue reading
By Sherri PetroPosted in Communication Skills on September 4, 2013
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July 28, 2013
The Art of “Managing Up”
4 Things You Can Do To Ensure Your Own Success
If you are a frequent visitor to ManagingAmericans.com, your career is probably on an upward trajectory. You are likely looking to expand your knowledge, integrate new skills, and build new networks. And, if you are a growth-minded professional, chances are you are given new responsibilities and opportunities on a regular basis.
But with these opportunities can come stress and overwhelm. One of my clients recently told me about the struggle he was having after being given a “promotion”...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on July 28, 2013
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June 30, 2013
How To Flourish As A Presenter: Forming a Presenters Colony
4 Ways to achieve the support you need to flourish as a public speaker.
By Peter Paskale, Writer, Coach & Trainer, The Presenters' Blog
Around the USA, beautiful towns and villages celebrate in the title of "Artist's Colony". Long before tourists arrived, a diversity of artists congregated to work together and practice their art.
Cape Cod offers outstanding light, while areas like Sedona have inspiring landscapes, but geographic inspirations aren't the only advantage that artists are seeking out. By clumping in colonies they receive emotional...Continue reading
By Peter PaskalePosted in Communication Skills on June 30, 2013
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June 23, 2013
Gen X-PECTATIONS: 3 Lessons for Communication Turbulence
Understanding the expectations of those born between 1965-1980.
By Sherri Petro, President of VPI Strategies & California Miramar University (CMU) Professor
We’ve got turbulence brewing. Please take your seat and fasten your seat belts. Make sure your seat back and folding trays are in their full upright position. Generation X (born 1965-80), the first generation of latch-key kids, is taking over the leadership reins. And it’s going to be different kind of ride. We can navigate well if we understand their expectations of communication and...Continue reading
By Sherri PetroPosted in Communication Skills on June 23, 2013
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June 20, 2013
Breaking The Rules: Ensure Rules Are Not Limiting Your Effectiveness
Unleash the creative potential of each and every individual.
By Claire Laughlin, Consultant & Trainer, Leadership 4 Design
As managers, most of us spend a fair bit of time trying to move our organizations forward by orchestrating behavioral change. We look for ways to enhance some behaviors, while minimizing others. We work hard to create the conditions in which our people can perform at their peak, and in concert with each other, thereby creating satisfaction for the individual and success for the organization. One way to improve our effectiveness in this...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on June 20, 2013
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May 30, 2013
Running Effective Meetings by Mastering 3P’s: Purpose, Process & People
Learn how the right planning can create better outcomes for your meetings.
By Claire Laughlin, Consultant & Trainer, Leadership 4 Design
Meetings should be dynamic and engaging events that bring the talents and diverse experiences and knowledge of team members to bear on important problems and decisions that must be made. But far too often, they are painful, unnecessary, and a colossal waste of time. If you want to start running effective meetings, you need to start paying attention to three key areas (the 3 Ps) during your meeting planning. Your efforts will...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on May 30, 2013
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