Leading teams is about creating opportunities for conversation. Talk may be cheap, but genuine conversation is priceless. Your leadership voice is heard in conversation. You can’t generate smart ideas, creatively solve problems, or influence others without free-spirited conversation.
Read MoreIt’s very easy to get into an argument! There is a certain satisfaction in stating your position and trying to convince the other person (or group of persons) that you are right. In this blog you will learn a few easy strategies that can take you from arguments to effective conversations.
Read MoreThe words you write or speak to others can leave a huge impact and create a lasting memory--either good or bad. It's super important to recognize the power of words and choose them wisely. You see, words can make or break a relationship. Your choice of words, and the way you express yourself, can accelerate or kill your career. Words have power!
Read MoreJune is the month of effective communication, and July reminds us of the importance and price of freedom. Today I decided to mix the two and reflect on freedom of speech in organizations.
Read MoreJune is Effective Communications Month! Last week we shared the first three of 7 communication mistakes that derail effective communication. This week we will consider the last four: making assumptions, wrong environment, negative focus and contrary purposes.
Read MoreEffective business communication costs very little and the results can transform both you and your business. Communication and interpersonal skills are at the top of the list of what matters most today in leadership. Yet there are costly communication mistakes that are behind some of the worst problems leaders encounter. By learning to correct them, you will save time and money, your influence will increase, and you will have better relationships.
Today I'm going to share the first 3 and next week the next 4 mistakes.
Read MoreWe all know the frustration of hitting a barrier, a roadblock while traveling. It prevents progress. It usually means a stop in traffic that can extend for miles. In conversations, it's not uncommon for barriers to arise when opinions and worldviews clash. We are human, and because of it, we have an innate need to protect and affirm our beliefs and opinions. Many times this can result in defensive behaviors and uneasy situations. Learn how to overcome your communication barriers.
Read MoreLeaders who try to go it alone seldom accomplish much. Only until they build productive relationships with the people they lead can they begin to tap into the true potential of the group. But what does it take to build those relationships at work? On this blog post Dr. Ada is summarizing the most relevant findings from recently published research. It includes specific ideas on how to build relationships.
Read MoreNice words, ugly words, kind words, curse words, thankful words, sad words, positive words, negative words. . . What kind of words you use, said with what tone of voice, at what time, and how many of them. . . it all matters. Whether the environment of your business is productive and uplifting or negative and miserable depends, in great measure, on the words you use.
Read MoreAll executives I talk to want to feel they are in the "better boss" category. The trick is to know better compared to what. And better judged by whom. In my ongoing quest to answer those questions I started looking at what different successful organizations considered a "better boss" was like. A report on a study Google undertook to find out what makes a boss most successful gives us a reliable measure to judge if you are a better boss or not.
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