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 […]
I wrote this blog post when my daughter, now a rising junior, first went off to college. For those whose children will be going off to college in a few short weeks, it’s important that you establish communication expectations in advance, to avoid anger, frustration, and damage to your fledgling long-distance relationship. However, these tips […]
This week will be the last week of radiation treatments for my Doberman Pinscher Jack. Every morning for the past three weeks, we’ve traveled together to downtown Houston to spend an hour or two at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. He receives his treatments and I wait. Prior to Jack’s cancer diagnosis, I never would have thought […]
If you’re searching for a new job, the first hurdle you’ll have to cross is getting that job interview. In today’s competitive job market, employers often receive several hundred applicants for every available position. If you want to make it through the screening process, you have to do everything within your power to avoid resume […]
When people think about etiquette, they often think about twelve course dinners, people in tuxedos and fancy dresses, high tea, and high-falutin’ behaviors. In reality, etiquette is simply understanding and practicing generally accepted societal rules given the situation in which you find yourself– which includes the workplace. In many organizations, etiquette has gone by the wayside. People […]
Not many people realize that silence is a very powerful communication tool—sometimes even more powerful than nonverbal communication or words. Doubt it? Try this. Look a person in the eye, ask him or her a question, and then wait for a response. Remain silent and simply maintain eye contact and provide your undivided attention. What […]
