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May 20, 2013
4 Communication Tips to Open Your Mind & Strengthen Your Vocabulary
Do your communication skills run deeper than the dictionary?
By Sherri Petro, President of VPI Strategies & California Miramar University (CMU) Professor
Blah, blah, blah. We speak the same language and yet so many times it’s like we are talking in tongues! How come? Admittedly, according to any dictionary, we have multiple meanings for the same words. But what I am alluding to goes deeper than the dictionary -- we assign meaning based upon many different influences. Why is communication so hard? Most of the time,...Continue reading
By Sherri PetroPosted in Communication Skills on May 20, 2013
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May 9, 2013
Three Ways To Bring The Spice Of Opinion Into Your Next Presentation
Why do so many of us feel it's best to avoid sharing our opinions?
By Peter Paskale, Writer, Coach & Trainer, The Presenters' Blog
Every time you make a presentation, you commit a blatant act of opinion, and that's good. That's exactly as it should be. Opinion makes challenging. Opinion makes distinctive. Opinion makes memorable.
As business presenters however, we try to stick to the facts, and do all that we can to eliminate any accusation of speaking from opinion. Nobody wants to be accused of being "opinionated", and that makes us shy. To be seen as...Continue reading
By Peter PaskalePosted in Communication Skills on May 9, 2013
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May 7, 2013
To Be More Effective, Be More Reflective – The Art Of Mirroring
Reflecting The Words, Mood, Behaviors & Gestures Of Others To Be More Effective In Your Job
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
In the workplace, there are many situations in which it would benefit us to put other people at ease. But that's not always easy to do. So here's the simple psychological technique you can use. It's one you've already mastered, because we all do this naturally with the people we are closest to.
This technique can come in handy when you need to establish rapport with someone. It helps to ease tensions when a conflict is brewing....Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on May 7, 2013
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April 26, 2013
OMG, We Need to Establish Work Text-iquette
4 Tips To Ensure We Are Using This Viable Business Communication Channel Well
By Sherri Petro, President of VPI Strategies & California Miramar University (CMU) Professor
We all know texting and driving is a monumentally bad combination. What about texting and working? This is not in reference to texting personally while at work, it’s about using texting as a viable communication channel in our organizations. How do we use it well? While HR departments have been modifying their e-policies for use of personal texting, we don’t see much on how...Continue reading
By Sherri PetroPosted in Communication Skills on April 26, 2013
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April 15, 2013
3 Easy Steps To Refine Your Communication Skills & Influence Change
Developing ‘Communication Appreciation’ Can Reshape Your Relationships At Work
By Claire Laughlin, Consultant & Trainer, Leadership 4 Design
“Words can’t describe it.”
This phrase comes to our aid when we have experiences that seem beyond description. But the truth is, when we DO have words to describe things, we are far more capable of making change and learning from our life & business experiences.
Many of us have challenges communicating with others. “I can’t talk to my boss.” “I don’t understand my...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on April 15, 2013
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April 1, 2013
3 Communication Techniques To Lead Effective Conversations
Steer the Conversation by Asking Better Questions
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
In the workplace, there’s something about questions that makes people uncomfortable. As a result, we often fail to ask the questions that would elicit information we need in order to be effective. There are three essential communication techniques you can use to break through these barriers and steer toward effective conversations.
1) Share Your Intention
2) Be...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on April 1, 2013
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March 17, 2013
Curiosity: Asking the Right Questions to Motivate, Manage & Lead
If you have all the answers, new ideas & creative solutions may get lost.
By Claire Laughlin, Consultant & Trainer, Leadership 4 Design
Don’t you love the feeling of being curious? I associate it with awe, wonder, interest and spark. Imagine a company culture where this feeling exists at all levels, what a great tool to motivate, manage & lead employees. Unfortunately, as we develop our expertise and take on greater levels of responsibility, we often lose the natural instinct or ‘desire to know and learn’. There are three steps you can practice to...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on March 17, 2013
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March 12, 2013
Learn to Use Delegation as a Tool to Develop & Engage Employees
8 Essential Steps to Develop Others Through Effective Delegation
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
You’re good at what you do, but you may be doing too much by hanging on to work that you shouldn’t be doing. No matter what your job title is, there are people around you who could take on some of your tasks. Delegating some of your work to them will benefit you, them, and your company.
This isn’t about offloading work that you don’t like or feel is too big a burden. Thinking of delegating in that...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on March 12, 2013
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February 26, 2013
Be More Candid in Your Professional Conversations
Learn what to avoid & how to best prepare for candid discussions.
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
In any given work week, there is at least one conversation you’d rather not have. One conversation that you know won’t go well, where people will express emotions that make you uncomfortable. One conversation where you may hold back because you don’t trust your own emotions or reactions. One conversation that can overshadow the whole day, week or workplace. Why not dodge these uncomfortable conversations altogether?...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on February 26, 2013
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January 2, 2013
7 Tips for Communicating with Clarity
These simple steps can make a big difference in your effectiveness.
By Deb Calvert, President, People First Productivity Solutions
Misunderstandings in the workplace cause productivity losses, hurt feelings, and unnecessary conflict. Communicating with clarity can prevent misunderstandings and keep things running smoothly and peaceably. Ensuring clarity in communication is the responsibility of each individual, particularly since our performance is so frequently appraised based on our ability to effectively communicate.
Here are Seven Tips for Improving the...Continue reading
By Deb CalvertPosted in Communication Skills on January 2, 2013
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