BLOG ARTICLES BY AMY
Do's and Don't for Office Holiday Parties
Following some simple guidelines will ensure you make a good impression at the office holiday party, have fun, and still have a job the next morning.
4 Keys to a Meaningful "Thank You"
Usually, when someone provides a service, favor, or courtesy, many return the courtesy with a “thanks.” Unfortunately, there are instances when thanks is not only insufficient, but can have the exact opposite intended effect. Instead of the recipient feeling appreciated, he or she may feel unappreciated, angry, and very unwilling to do anything to help […]
10 Critical Skills Veterans Have That Make Them Successful
As today is Veteran’s Day, I’ve been reflecting on the many benefits I gained in the form of skills I learned while serving in the military. For one thing, I owe the Air Force my master’s degree in communication, which was the foundation for building my speaking and training business and the basis upon which […]
8 Tips for Conquering Conflict
We’ve all come across people who seem to love conflict. They seek it out, jump into it even if it has nothing to do with them, and start it for no reason at all. However, the vast majority of people would prefer not to deal with conflict at all and will do just about […]
Five Powerless Communication Techniques You Should Stop Using Today
Without even realizing it, you may have let wimpy words and powerless phrases sneak into your vocabulary. These words and phrases tell others that you’re unsure of yourself, your ideas, and your position. The result? They’re likely zapping your personal power and credibility at work. If you want to project confidence and authority and need […]
6 Easy Ways to Avoid Gossip At Work
Gossip is one of the many things that can lower workplace productivity. It can also create an environment of mistrust and can damage working relationships. Even if we don’t start the gossip, listening to it, passing it on, or standing idly by while it’s happening, makes us part of the gossip and helps perpetuate it. When […]
7 Things You Should Never Say at Work
I was facilitating a meeting of supervisors last week when one supervisor shared that an employee actually said, “Is that in my job description?” when she was assigned a new task to complete. This situation got me thinking about the things people say at work that can have a lasting, negative impression on those around […]
9 Reasons Why You Should Apologize Now
Last week I wrote a post with advice on how to offer a sincere apology. Since then, I’ve had several readers contact me complaining, not about the steps I offered, but because they didn’t understand WHY they should have to apologize in the first place. “Great advice, but why should I apologize if I didn’t […]
Stop Offering Fake Apologies and Start Getting Sincere (In 4 easy steps!)
“I’m sorry,” is one of the first things we’re taught to say when we’re children. However, something happens to us as we grow up that makes it harder and harder to apologize for our actions. Whether it’s an unwillingness to admit we’re wrong, or a dislike of taking responsibility for their actions, these people instead […]