One of the 2020 trends is improved internal communication. The news makes me wonder: is this an amazing trend or just a fantastic goal? My gut tells me it’s a goal (not a reality) for many organizations, thus making it a “trend” . . . because improving internal communications is easier said than done, right? […]
Read MoreCategory: Communication
Create a Trusting and Fair Environment
Trust is the foundation of good leadership and strong teamwork. Being fair and trustworthy is a leader’s first order of business. Squashing attempts by team members to create an unhealthy work environment—an environment of backstabbing, cynicism, cliques, or one-upping—is the second most important order of business. High performing leaders are good at detecting early signs […]
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Positive Feedback, Negative Feedback, or No Feedback
Some say feedback is the most important form of communication that occurs at work. Feedback is a term frequently referred to in the academic world of organizational behavior as well. Feedback has two purposes: 1) it can help us to understand how well we are achieving goals; and 2) it can help us discern if […]
Read MorePrevent Communication Errors
Do you ask for what you want? Are you clear about your needs? I have found that if my goal is to prevent communication errors, I must: 1. keep my ego in check; 2. consider the perspective of others; and 3. assume positive intent. The rabbit prevails because he is able to do all […]
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Storytelling – A Quick Guide
[ted id=1864] This fantastic TEDTalk video presents a complex issue – the high rate of terrorism in underdeveloped countries – and quickly connects the viewer to both the issue and the possible solution. The speaker uses vivid stories to draw the viewer in and explain the un-explainable, namely “how could anyone choose to join […]
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Tips for Using Powerful and Positive Language
The words we choose when taking to family, friends, co-workers or our boss impact the people around us and shape our future. The power of words cannot be underestimated. Over the last decade, while presenting on the topic of interpersonal communication, I have found seminar attendees and students to be intrigued by the potential of […]
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Have An Open Door Policy – Literally and Figuartively
Do you have an “open door policy” at work? The term open door policy has multiple definitions, so possibly we should start by defining our term. 1. The first definition that originated in 1899 stems from a concept in foreign affairs. The open door policy stated that all European nations, and the United States, could […]
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Mixed Signals – How to Stamp Out This Common Communication Barrier
Last week I gave a short talk about common communication barriers. Although the list I normally present to students in the organizational behavior class I teach contains nine points, I thought it best to narrow my “list” to two when addressing a non-academic group. Interestingly, what really resonated with the audience was my discussion of […]
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Friday Feel-Good: Hope, Motivation, and Small Acts of Kindness = Major Impact
This 10-minute video will inspire you on many levels or at the very least will make your Friday a bit brighter. It reminds us that remaining hopeful, despite evidence that would warrant despair, is critical to success. It illustrates how harnessing your motivation can allow you to accomplish what once was thought to be impossible. Finally, it […]
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