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best way to communicate

If You Don’t Get Them on the Swings, Get Them on the Merry-Go-Round: The Platinum Rule of Communication

Gerald Rosen, a Contracts professor at Loyola Law School used to say “if you can’t get them on the swings, get them on the merry-go-round; if you can’t get them on the merry-go-round, get them on the slide; if you can get them on the slide, get them on the monkey bars.” Having heard those words lo these many years ago, I haven’t a clue as to…

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Tips for Successfully Communicating Performance Feedback

“How many supervisors like to give performance feedback?” When this question was posed to over 500 leaders in one of the nation’s largest municipal water and power companies, a scant few raised their hands. When asked to explain why, the answers boiled down to three responses: “Because I don’t want to hurt their feelings,” “She’s my friend; I don’t want her to feel bad,” and “I don’t want to  deal with the anger.”

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Communication Resolutions for 2023: Five Key Tips

As the year comes to an end, it’s time for reflection, renewal, and commitment, often through pledging to New Year’s Resolutions. Next year, why not take a quote from an admired historical figure that informs communication? After all, it’s something we do 24×7, whether we want to or not, and whether we intend to or not. By focusing on how we communicate, we may have more successful results.

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misunderstanding due to diversity and language

Diversity, Language & Miscommunication

Diversity is a wonderful thing. The benefits abound: a McKinsey study found that diverse boards of directors generate better returns and more money; a Tuft’s study concluded that diverse groups uncover more angles when serving on mock juries (which underscores the value all the more so); a combined study by Columbia, MIT, University of Texas-Dallas and Northwestern found that stock picks by diverse teams experienced 58%…

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Leadership Development Carnival Graphic

November Leadership Development Carnival

As the late, great Leonard Cohen wrote (and his fellow Canadian chanteuse Judy Collins sings so hauntingly) “who knows where the time goes?” As we gallop to the end of 2022, it’s time for reflection, compassion, and leadership to begin to heal the great divides in our country and worldwide. There is no better place…

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delegation represented with game pieces

The Dialogue of Delegation: Be Focused and Intentional

The ability to delegate is a key leadership competency. Yet, many supervisors and managers fail to do so. When asked why they don’t delegate the most common reasons are: “It’s easier to do it myself.” “It takes more time to explain what I want someone else to do than to do it myself.” “I can do it better anyway.” As challenging, and even…

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missunderstood Absolutes in Everyday Communication

Word Choice: The Use of Superlatives and Absolutes in Everyday Communication

Before becoming a leadership consultant, and while in my corporate career, I relied upon others working in this important field for sage advice. One can liken these practitioners to “workplace psychologists,” offering must-have leadership tips, whether through one-on-one coaching or team building, all with the aim of improving workplace relationships, motivation, and productivity. Through the…

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