The 2016 U.S. Presidential election is like none other in a generation. Right or wrong, both candidates are disliked by a large portion of the American public. The 24-hour news cycle and social media have created a vortex of little more than noise, most of it an echo for the individual listener. Inevitably, politics becomes […]
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Tough Talks: Details Of Your Raise
The conversation around compensation is often a difficult one for the person on the “asking” side. While most people muster the courage to make the initial request during the hiring process, that determination may be MIA when discussing a raise. Even when the request is completed, and the raise promised, there remains one area where […]
Soft Phrases That Work Hard
Clear, effective communication is usually concise. There are times when effectiveness is increased by adding soft phrases to frame your message or create context. Delivering your message in a way that can be understood is your responsibility. Here are some of the phrases that do the hard work of building context: “I understand why that’s […]
The One Promise You Can’t Make
Making and keeping promises is one way we build trust with each other (emphasis on the keeping part). There may come a time in your management when an employee asks you to keep a secret. Often this is for something that isn’t particularly delicate – an idea, a new process, office gossip. There is one […]
We Swear. We Understand Your Point!
One of the most challenging experiences most people have in the workplace is unnecessary repetition. You know, someone says something that makes sense and then reiterates the point. Sometimes they use different words. Sometimes not. And many times, they repeat it over and over again. I like to believe that people don’t realize they are […]
The Power Of 4 Letter Words
There are words for every occasion. Some are considered polite. Others are considered profane. In business, there are three words that are often connected: weak, fear, and kind. Many managers, new and seasoned, are afraid of being seen as weak. Being weak drives them to be harsh, inflexible, cold and insecure. These managers mean to […]
