Archive for the ‘Communication’ Category

The Single-Syllable Lifesaver

Saying NoShameless procrastination.  Reluctantly saying yes.  Complaining relentlessly.  Feeling like a martyr.    You go through all that, when a two-letter word  could have set you free from obligation:  “No.” Darn it, I can’t.  Sorry, no. Love to, but no, can’t do it this time. That’s what your inner bobblehead was screaming as your mouth said, “Yes, I’d love to host this year’s Superbowl party.”

Thinking you are a bad person for saying no is a symptom of “the disease to please.”  Do the right thing – for yourself and others – by opting out.  Don’t feel guilty.

Saying No, Step-by-Step

  1. Dodge first, then digest.  Never answer in the moment.  Try “Let me get back to you.”  This gives you time to weigh your options and compose yourself before answering.

A Quick Guide To E-mail Etiquette

emailElectronic mail.  Who doesn’t love it?  It’s quick, efficient and –let’s be honest — allows us to be somewhat removed from the person on the other end.  But that doesn’t mean you throw professional courtesy and etiquette out the window when using e-mail to communicate with those around you.  In fact, you should pay close attention to your e-mail habits and determine that you are sending the right message with each click of the mouse.  Read on for a few tips on how to keep your e-mail goofs to a minimum:

  • Make sure your subject line is relevant and meaningful to the body of the e-mail.
  • Don’t shout! Remember that using ALL CAPS is shouting your message.  Be respectful and use regular sentence case.
  • Limit your use of the “urgent” tag.  You don’t want to be known as the person whose e-mail is always an emergency.
  • Avoid texting lingo and emoticons.  Spell out words and don’t rely on abbreviations.
  • Avoid long sentences and paragraphs.  Try not to exceed 20 words per sentence.

Saying “Thank You” With Panache

Thank YouEveryone likes to hear the words “thank you” once in a while.  But in our fast-paced, super-connected world, handwritten notes of thanks are in danger of becoming a thing of the past.  So don’t let your busy lifestyle get in the way of good manners.  Thank-you  notes don’t have to be a burden.  They can be fun.  Thank-you notes are an age-old way of keeping communication amongst business colleagues, customers, friends and family open.  Here are some tips on how to say thanks quickly and creatively:

1.  Do it yourself. Forgo the pre-inscribed cards with “Thank You” printed inside.  Chose some nice, plain notecards or paper to show genuine gratitude.

2. Set aside enough time to write.  You don’t want to rush through a thank-you note, as it is meant to be an expression from the heart.

3.  Get personal.  In your note, be sure to use the name of the person who gave you the gift or helped you out.

4.  Mention something you liked about the gift or gesture or tell the person how you plan to use it or how it helped you.

5.  Make it timely.  Make sure that you send your thank-you note in a timely fashion.  Don’t wait too long to send it out.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” ~ William Ward

Ways To Hone Your Communications Skills

Image:  Communication by DailyPic

Image: Communication by DailyPic

Communication is the way by which we exchange ideas, learn from each other, and perhaps most importantly, connect to each other.  The  success of our personal and business relationships depends greatly on our ability to communicate.

So why do we ignore the relevance of communication until it becomes an issue? One reason may be because we don’t take the time to understand its true meaning and how we hone such an important skill.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far.  You can be a more effective communicator if you follow 5 basic truths.

Achieve True Connection By Listening

ListeningIf you are to make a list of the country’s most influential people, who would you include?  For sure, President Obama would make that list.  So would Warren Buffett and perhaps Steve Jobs.  You could argue that Sarah Palin to be on it depending on whether you’re a fan or not.  Now there’s one name that you may or may not have considered:  Oprah Winfrey.

Her success was hugely attributed to her ability to talk.  But Oprah did more of her share of listening.  The application of her ability to listen is obvious on her television show  She is constantly observing and listening to find issues to address on the air.  When she brings experts, celebrities, and authors on her show, she genuinely listens to what they have to say.  Oprah’s listening ability has rewarded her with incredible success and influence.

To improve your listening, consider the following:

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