Communication

Don’t let disagreement turn nasty

April 14, 2021
Few of us enjoy dealing with conflicts in the workplace, but as a manager you can’t let unnecessary drama disrupt productivity. Take these steps to defuse disagreements before they turn ugly.

How to cultivate collaboration

April 14, 2021
Teamwork is a cooperative effort. As a team leader, pay attention to these guidelines for successful collaboration.

Technology is great, but something is missing

March 24, 2021
The way we communicate remotely —with email, text messages, Zoom calls—doesn’t replace face-to-face meetings and the relationships you develop with people when you can sit down in the same room and have a conversation. Here are a few tips and some cautionary advice.

Give context to get answers

March 10, 2021
Questions are necessary when you need information from people, but abrupt or intimidating questions can put people on the defensive. To defuse the tension, try building an explanation into your questions.

Don’t just listen—be listened to

March 10, 2021
You know that listening to others is vital, but what about persuading others to listen to you and your requests? These tactics can help you and your employees get the attention—and the results—you need.

‘I did what you told me to do’

February 24, 2021
What’s clear to you may not be clear to others.

Avoid right-or-wrong arguments

February 24, 2021
You’re probably good at winning your point in arguing with your staff, but it’s a skill you don’t want to overuse.

Politely shut off rambling speakers

February 10, 2021
What if employees go off on tangents when giving a report or making a comment at a meeting? They may be trying to contribute, but they’re wasting the group’s time and energy. Try asking focused questions requiring short, specific answers to politely turn the conversation.

Get the next generation ready before you need new leaders

February 10, 2021
You can’t wait until next year to start training next year’s leaders. Without a good strategy for development, your organization will run into trouble when succession becomes an issue. Ask these questions to build your leadership bench.

Before promoting, ask these questions

February 10, 2021
Not everyone is cut out to be a manager. Before promoting a talented employee to a management role, ask the person these questions and watch his or her responses carefully.