I was facilitating an employment interviewing workshop the other day and as we were discussing why people were taking the course, one participant said, “I want to learn why the person I hired isn’t the person who shows up on the first day of work?” It’s all too common to have the prince or princess […]
For many of us, it’s the first word we learn, thus the popularity of baby T-shirts that read, “My name is No No” on the front. We learn to use “no” first, because it’s a powerful word synonymous with taking a stand, contradicting authority, being an individual. It was so easy to say as a […]
“Life’s too short to drink bad coffee.” The comment came from my Bestie Bev, who was pretty much appalled that I would reheat a cup of old coffee so as not to waste it. Although it was just a brief and not particularly profound moment in life, that statement is one I think of (and […]
I woke up feeling happy this morning. Yes, it was partly because my first conscious thought was, “I have the day off today!” However, it was also because I chose to be happy– despite the fact that my cat woke me up sharpening her dagger claws on my hip, despite the puppy pee I had […]
When you were a child and were angry, upset, hurt, or frustrated, you probably didn’t have the words to express your emotions. It’s a rare kid who can say, “Mother, I’m infuriated and disillusioned with your decision to deny me that chocolate torte for my midday repast.” Instead, a child will huff and puff, scream, cry, throw things, and […]
Being concise and to the point helps improve the quality of your communication, whether in writing, on the phone, or in person. Working with college-bound students forced to write within specific word limits on their applications has shown me how easy it is to “say it” in 5 words instead of 25. Additionally, many words and phrases […]
Thanksgiving is the kick-off to the holiday season. It’s often the first chance for family and friends to gather in large groups and enjoy each other’s company. Unfortunately, holiday gatherings can also be a communication challenge for many families. Trying to do and say the “right” thing, meet others’ expectations, and deal with family members lack […]
Last week’s post, Identifying Generations in Your Workplace, focused on identifying and understanding the five generations in the workplace. Now that you’re able to identify the generation a coworker represents, here are some specific guidelines for bridging the generation gap at work. Learning to adapt your communication style to those with whom you communicate is an […]
The first step in bridging the workplace generation gap is understanding that you have one and how extensive it is. By identifying your employees’ generations (no, don’t ask how old they are), you can take the first steps toward bringing your team together. Next week, we’ll identify specific steps for bridging the generation gap at […]
Most people don’t put much thought into what typeface they use when sending an email or creating a document. Some might avoid Comic in a professional correspondence and instead select Arial or Times New Roman, but beyond that, I’ll bet most people have never even considered what their choice of typeface says about them. Well, employers have. In […]
