When others treat you poorly, let it go. Forgive. As you move on, break the incident down into behaviors–factual elements of the interaction. Commit to do better for when the roles are reversed. Collect these entries in your own “Delta File:” a collection of the changes you want to be in the world. My first… Continue reading Delta File: Say You’re Welcome
Tag: communication
Weasel Words Magnify Doubt
When you’re fact finding address your doubts before you return and report. Don’t come back to your team with “allegedly” or “supposedly.” Words like that telegraph your own uncertainty in a way that paints your sources as unreliable. If you really can’t be sure then state who reported which fact. Such as, “John told me the site… Continue reading Weasel Words Magnify Doubt
Pretend It’s All Voicemail
Today’s Mad, Sad, Glad. by Wendii Lord hit dead-on for all three links. Voicemail: Still Kickin’ I’d like to add my amen in particular to her note on voicemail: it’s still useful. If you call me, get voicemail and don’t leave a message then I’ll probably assume you don’t need a call back. In fact, I’m not… Continue reading Pretend It’s All Voicemail
I Was a Condescending Jerk
Dear ManagerJS, I’m upset about something stupid I did yesterday. I was in a meeting with several peers. One of them suggested an improvement to our hiring practices. Before I knew what I was thinking I was already speaking. I said, “I categorically reject that suggestion.” Can you believe that? Not, “I see it a… Continue reading I Was a Condescending Jerk
Don’t Speak From “The Cloud”
Warning!: This is not a very helpful post. I’m just sharing because I have to. Feel free to round-file this post if you’re in a hurry. This isn’t important. I followed this series of links and found something at the end funny enough to make me chuckle, then giggle, then laugh until I cried. Your… Continue reading Don’t Speak From “The Cloud”
Read: Crucial Conversations
About time for me to read Crucial Conversations again.
If Leadership and Self Deception had a baby with ManagerTools.com it would be Crucial Conversations. The book takes an intensely personal view of leadership and combines it with an emphasis on observable behavior and concrete action. More good information in this book than you can absorb after only one reading.
I highly recommend the book. It is universally useful. If you ever talk to other people then you will eventually need the skills in this book.