A little while ago my niece told me that someone was annoyed with her and said she knew it because they had put a full stop at the end of their text message. “But I do that – it’s just grammar” I said … “yes but they’re under 30 so they know!” she replied. Apparently, […]
When is a full stop not a full stop but an indication of anger? Read More »
If you had some negative feedback to impart to a colleague, we were told to dress it up with something pleasant. So, you would find a couple of positive elements and then sandwich the negative comment in between. Imagine you thought a team member’s presentation was pretty good but that the slides they had created
How not to give feedback and what to do instead Read More »
If you’ve made a mistake? If your behaviour has been deemed to be inappropriate … even if you think it’s unfair? If the company has made a mistake … and you’re talking to the client? I remember being told never to use the word “sorry” at work. Apparently it diminishes your authority! I was told
Do you think you should say sorry? Read More »
When my mother died recently, my family were overwhelmed by the wonderful messages we received and naturally spent a lot of time reminiscing. Mum was born in 1934, so part of the generation who “just got on with it”. She rarely complained and played with the cards dealt to her; enjoying the good times and
Advice from my Mother Read More »
A few weeks ago, I got a call about 6:30 in the evening from a friend and ex colleague. “Sally … I’m at an exhibition and we’re not making enough connections. I’m desperate … this cost a fortune and the team just aren’t getting the footfall … can you give me any suggestions for making
How to make the most of your exhibition stand Read More »
You know what you’re doing and why but does everyone else? Have you ever felt you appear to be speaking another language? You tell someone what’s needed and yet when you come back it’s not even close to what you expected? Is it that everyone you’re talking to just doesn’t “get” it … or could
Do you give good instructions? Do others know what you mean? Read More »
If someone compliments you on the way you handled a meeting, do you say “Thank you” or is your response more likely to be, “Oh it was nothing really” or “They were very easy on me” or perhaps “I don’t think I was. I could have been better at dealing with X or Y” If
How good are you at giving and receiving compliments? Read More »
Last summer a friend of mine moved her mother-in-law into the family home so that she wasn’t alone and could be looked after. Nice for her and her family. Yes; but her teenage son is struggling with his grandmother being there 24/7. She always has a suggestion for how he should be doing something or
Why counting to 10 is a great communication skill. Read More »
I’m seeing a lot of talk at the moment about visibility. The team and I work with hundreds of people a year who need or want to be seen and heard at work and that means being visible. It means telling people what you know that they may find useful and being the person others
Is your plan for this year to be more visible? Read More »
And what do they mean? What behaviours do they see to make them say that and what’s the difference? I’d describe being assertive as the ability to state your case or point of view in a way that means you are heard while still being in a position to hear what the other person has
Do others call you aggressive, unassertive or assertive? Read More »
