Office Gossip
Dealing with office gossip
"Did you hear the latest about Rhonda? Last week she..."
And so it goes. Typical office conversation. Gossip. It happens in every workplace and in every family. For some reason, we just love to talk about others. Perhaps it makes us feel better about ourselves, and maybe it reassures us that no one is perfect. Whatever the case, it can make for some pretty interesting lunch conversation.
Until that conversation ...More of "Office Gossip"
What not to wear - to work
I love the show "What Not to Wear" on TLC and am often mortified by what others think is acceptable to wear to work. We are all paid professionals. Shouldn't we look like it? I think there should be a course given to every new employee on what exactly it means to come to work dressed professionally. I know that I'm not alone in this thought. I understand that it is a very touchy subject in many workplaces, so here's a look at how people dress to go to the office. If you work ...More of "What not to wear - to work"
Do you interrupt others?
Knock, knock! Who’s there?
Interrupting cow.
Interrupting cow wh—MOOOOO!
Please pause for this interruption
I admit I have a very bad habit that is incredibly annoying. OK, so I have many annoying habits. But today I’ll talk about just one: I cut people off when they’re speaking.
I don’t intend to be rude; I just seem to think that I know where the other person is going and that I can get there ...More of "Do you interrupt others?"
First Impressions Count
“You only get one chance to make a first impression.” First impressions are gathered in just seven seconds—yet they can take a lifetime to amend. The funny thing about those first seven seconds is that it’s not enough time to say anything significant; so what is a first impression based on? Yes, personal appearance makes some difference, but there is much more to it than that. Here are some tips to help you make a positive first impression—whether you are at ...More of "First Impressions Count "
You can stop awfulizing (and prevent others from doing it to you)
Many people make things worse than they are and create a sense of panic before there is anything to worry about. These people imagine how awful circumstances can be; and then they worry about it, usually out loud. There is a new word for what these people are doing, and it makes perfect sense: Awfulize v. to imagine or predict the worst circumstances or outcome.
Source: www.doubletongued.org. Warren (my husband) and I spent ...More of "You can stop awfulizing (and prevent others from doing it to you)"
Do you work in a cube farm?
You work in a limited area with a lot of other people. You come to know a lot about them, and them about you. The little things they do drive you insane, and you can be sure the reverse is also true. When you work in a cubicle, there are certain rules that you need to follow and certain levels of awareness you need to have so that everyone can peacefully co-exist in that confined space. Privacy You have none. Just because you can't see other people ...More of "Do you work in a cube farm?"
Do you bring your work home with you (or your family to work)?
When you've had a bad day at work, and your temper is short, and you have no patience left - do you bring it home with you? Absolutely, unequivocally, unfortunately, I know the answer is "yes." Because we all do it every once in a while; it's inevitable. The key is to limit the amount of cross-over between work and life, to achieve a healthy balance that works for everyone, including ourselves, our family and our colleagues. When I was growing up, my dad came home every night ...More of "Do you bring your work home with you (or your family to work)?"
If you want my advice... too bad!
I have a very fragile ego. I know it, and freely admit it. I get my feelings hurt easily, and although I teach "Dealing with Difficult People" and "Confrontation Skills," I prefer not to do either if I don't have to. Recently, someone gave me some unsolicited advice, and it really bothered me. I was delivering my "Amazing Assistant" program to a client, and everything was flowing smoothly. The participants were having a really good time, and ...More of "If you want my advice... too bad!"
Taking Initiative
When I'm training in organizations I always speak to several people within the company to ensure that I'm delivering a consistent message to the one the attendees have been receiving in the past. To do this, I ask many questions. One of them is "What would you like your employees to be able to do that they are not currently doing?" I get a variety of answers, but one of the most common is "I'd like them to take more initiative in the office - and do things without being asked." ...More of "Taking Initiative"
The Sense of a Goose
About this time of the year I look enviously at the geese flying south for the winter. Canadian winters are OK - but I'm sure that I could really tolerate the sun and the beach all winter, too. The other day I was watching them fly, remembering the analogy that I use in "Team Building". I'd like to take credit for this analogy - I cannot, but it is good regardless of who thought it up! I've added a few of my own comments, however, for the most part this belongs to that great writer 'Anonymous". ...More of "The Sense of a Goose"
What is Teamwork?
We've probably all heard the expression "There is no I in Team!" - yet really, what does that mean? I've been spending some time with several different companies and helping them get to a "performing stage" of teamwork. Yet, I've noticed a common problem with all these teams. Teamwork really is defined as a group of people who collaborate and interact to reach a common goal. The problem is that common goal. Everyone seems to have a different interpretation of what that common ...More of "What is Teamwork? "
Are You Listening?
There is a big difference between hearing and listening. Your teenage kids, they hear you… they just aren't listening! Many times we do exactly the same thing. Listening means much more than hearing. We all have some pretty bad habits, and poor listening habits are some of them. Check the following list to see if you need to get ON THE RIGHT TRACK with your listening in 2001: 1. The number one poor listening habit (which 90% of do) is INTERRUPTING! Now, I must confess… ...More of "Are You Listening?"
Getting Things Done Through Others
Have you ever asked someone to do something for you, and you were disappointed with the results? I have! When I look back at the original request, everything seems quite clear to me, yet in the end, it is obviously not. Some people have different working styles as well as different working standards. That's where we run into problems when we work with others. In "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" Stephen Covey talks about "Beginning with the end in mind". Basically, ...More of "Getting Things Done Through Others"
How Do You Handle Compliments?
"A compliment is a gift, not to be thrown away carelessly
unless you want to hurt the giver." Ziff Davis Has anyone ever said to you as you walk into the office "Hey, you look nice today"? What did you respond with? Many of us think 'oh sure - what do you want?' or 'what did I look like yesterday?' Sound familiar? For most of us it does because we are uncomfortable with compliments. Statistically, ...More of "How Do You Handle Compliments?"
Receiving Hurtful Feedback
Have you ever had a situation where someone said something and it hit you right in the gut? Hurt right to the core? Made you want to cry? Me, too! I hate that feeling, too. It usually hits me when I'm least expecting it (then again, when do you expect something like that?). I had one of those experiences this week and I just didn't see it coming. I think that is why it hurt so much… because I wasn't prepared for it. If I'm in a situation where someone can say something to hurt me, ...More of "Receiving Hurtful Feedback"
Do You Sound Credible? Part I: Credibility Crunchers
I've had a summer attraction to all the Law & Order types of shows that seem to be on television every night. I like to pretend I am the investigator; I pay close attention to the suspects. I have found that sometimes they are very credible in what they say and how they say it. Those people are usually the good guys. Now, yes, I realize these are TV shows and the people aren't real. However, they still give us insight into what people say and the way that they say it - and whether or not we believe ...More of "Do You Sound Credible? Part I: Credibility Crunchers"
Credibility Crunchers Part 2
I attended an amazing conference this weekend, designed to build my business. The facilitator was an extremely successful businessman from Florida. He was amazed at the words we chose to use to describe our businesses, our success and our dreams. He pointed out to us that we took away our own power, prestige and positioning by what we chose to say. We were crunching our own credibility, and we weren't even aware of it! Once he started to bring it to our attention, we became more conscious of it. ...More of "Credibility Crunchers Part 2"
Communication Noises
Have you ever listened to someone and couldn't understand what they were saying because of the way they were saying it? Communication Noise. The words of the message get lost because of the 'noise' the voice is making? If you've ever turned the television channel on Fran Drescer (The Nanny), you know exactly what I mean. Here are 5 tips to rid yourself of "Communication Noise": Remember, it's not only what you say, but how you say it. It doesn't matter how "good" ...More of "Communication Noises"
First Impressions
"No matter how busy you are, you only get one chance to make a first impression!" This is a standard section in my Customer Service programs - and one that sparks a lot of conversation too! Check yourself on the following tips to see if you are making a good first impression. Did you know that first impressions are gathered in 7 seconds - yet they take a lifetime to change? The funny thing about those seven seconds, we rarely have an opportunity to say anything significant ...More of "First Impressions"
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