Avoid Communication Minefields
One misstep can lead to dire consequences for you, your professionalism and your career. Be very deliberate about what you say, how you say it, and with whom you share it.
Address Ambiguous Responses
When you hear people say things like, “I will try,” “I will do my best,” or “I am working on it,” be on high alert. These potentially evasive responses imply a lack of commitment…
Stop Self-Undermining Language
When you communicate with others, are you frequently using words that have the potential to destroy your power as a leader? Surprisingly, some of the language, we regularly use out of concern, politeness or fairness can…
Know Your Boss’s Communication Needs
Effective managers and leaders are adept at managing their boss’s job-performance expectations. But that’s hard to do if…
Don’t Badmouth Others
Nothing can erode your credibility more quickly than being labeled as a person who makes disparaging comments about your boss, peers, or customers.
Practice Your Important Presentations
Good presentations don’t happen by accident. They happen because the speaker is prepared to give an effective presentation and is confident about communicating the message effectively.
Don’t Shoot the Messenger
One of the fastest ways to stifle communication is to penalize people for giving you bad news. Demonstrating this behavior on a consistent basis creates…
Choose the Right Words
As Mark Twain once put it, “The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”
Don’t Be a Whiner
While every leader, whether outwardly or deep down inside, might feel the need to whine about this or that from time to time, chronic whining quickly erodes leadership credibility.
Capture Agreements in Writing
Good follow-up is grounded in a number of “best practices,” and one of those is the simple act of writing down and communicating what’s been agreed upon in verbal discussions.