January 24, 2017

4 Steps to Improving Your Writing

You probably write on the job all the time: proposals to clients, memos to senior executives, a constant flow of emails to colleagues. How can you ensure that your writing is as clear and effective as possible?

(1) Challenge yourself to be more concise. 
If you chopped out a sentence or two — or eight — would the reader even notice?

(2)Identify your bad habits. 
Recognize jargon, passive constructions (“Something must be done!”), and imprecise language as bad habits that make it harder for others to get the meaning of what you’re saying.

(3) Pair up with another writer.
 People tend to have complementary problems: Maybe you write too long and your colleague struggles to organize ideas. The job of an editor or a peer reviewer is to show you what you cannot see. That’s why two flawed writers can make each other better.

(4) Build disciplined feedback into the writing process. 
When good writers are whipsawed by contradictory reviews, it leads to bad results. With sufficient notice and carefully organized review cycles, you can fix problems and keep your writing coherent.

Adapted from “Your Writing Isn’t As Good As You Think It Is,” by Josh Bernoffa

Don’t Let One Bad Experience Stop You from Giving Feedback !

December 14, 2016

Don’t Let One Bad Experience Stop You from Giving Feedback ! 

It can be tough to get up the nerve to give a colleague — or your boss — constructive feedback, even if they’ve requested it. 
And if the person becomes DEFENSIVE , it’s easy to shut down and tell yourself that offering your thoughts is a bad idea in general. 

But overgeneralizing from one experience is never a good idea and your reactive thoughts in that moment — “I’m never good at having honest conversations” or “No one wants to hear about things they could do better” —work against you ! 

 Your brain is essentially prioritizing your short-term psychological safety over the long-term benefit of having discussions that allow you and your colleague to learn.

 Don’t give into this negative thinking. Instead focus on the positive experiences you’ve had giving feedback. You might think, “Wow, that didn’t go well, but my general track record is still very good.”

Adapted from “Don’t Let Your Brain’s Defense Mechanisms Thwart Effective Feedback,” by James R. Detert and Ethan R. Burris

Know How You’ll Sell a Decision Before You Make It

January 12, 2017

Know How You’ll Sell a Decision Before You Make It

When making a decision that affects many people, it’s best to go with an option that respects and reinforces the norms and values of your company. That’s how you get buy-in and commitment. 
But how do you know which option will do that best? 
Try this mental exercise to test how your options will be received: 
Imagine you’re making a presentation and your audience consists of those people who will be affected by your decision. 
Go through each of your options and imagine how you would justify choosing it. 
What specifically would you say about each option? What could you say with genuine conviction? 
What might be tougher to stand behind? 
What might ring hollow, raise eyebrows, or elicit resistance? 
Which options seem likely to get your audience smiling or nodding? 
In short, which option seems to be the right next paragraph in the ongoing story of your organization and what it stands for?

Adapted from “Before You Make a Tough Decision, Imagine How You’ll Have to Sell It,” by Joseph L. Badaracco

Stand Up to the Office Soapboxer

January 06, 2017

Stand Up to the Office Soapboxer

We’ve all worked with that person who is utterly convinced that their view is the only view — and isn’t afraid to vocalize it. This can be annoying, and even disruptive, but you don’t have to stand for it. When the person gets on their soapbox during a meeting, hear the opinion out and then refocus the group on the task of making a decision together. Don’t get wrapped up in your emotional response to the person’s behavior. Instead, stay focused on the work the team needs to get done, which will help you stay grounded and clear-minded. Present an example of decorum and mutual respect for the others to follow. If the soapboxer tries to reclaim the stage, you can say: “We heard about that point, and now we are considering others.” If this person claims to have the support of someone who isn’t in the room (a common tactic), don’t accept it. Explain that as a group you have to move forward with the opinions in the room.

Adapted from “How to Deal with an Office Soapboxer,” by Alicia Bassuk

January 09, 2017

Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment to Work Remotely for from Home ! 

Working from home or on the road can boost your productivity and engagement, but only if you have everything you need to get your work done. Your phone and laptop are essential, of course, but there is other equipment that will make your life easier:

(1) Your own hotspot. 
Sometimes Wi-Fi won’t be easily accessible, so make sure you have a backup. Look for tools that are portable, such as a USB stick from your wireless provider or your mobile phone.

(2)A headset. 
You need one for those lengthy, hands-free conversations. Consider a wired version that you won’t have to charge or pair wirelessly with your phone or computer.

(3)Extra chargers.
 Keep one in your bag and in your car. You can’t work if you don’t have power.

(4)A mini power strip ( spike ) 
It’s frustrating when you’re about to run out of juice in a crowded café or at a convention and all of the outlets are taken. With this, you can ask one claimant to plug into your strip instead. Look for a compact, cordless model.

What to Do When Everyone Else Is on Vacation

What to Do When Everyone Else Is on Vacation

It’s no fun when you’re alone in the office and every email you send gets an autoresponder, reminding you that you’re the only one who’s not on vacation. But there are benefits to working when everyone else isn’t. You can use the alone time for:

(1) Focused work. 
This is the perfect time to tackle important projects you’ve been putting off. Work on tasks that require the uninterrupted time you rarely get, like developing your go-to-market strategy or launching a new podcast.

(2)Tidying up.
 Devote a day or two to cleaning up those minor tasks that have been impeding your productivity throughout the year. Perhaps it’s cleaning off your desk so you can find your files when you need them, or finally getting all of your expense reports squared away, or writing a recommendation letter for your former intern.

(3)Networking. 
Chances are good that you aren’t the only person in the office this week. Connect with people who are also working and schedule a long lunch or coffee to reconnect.

If You’ve Made a Bad Decision, Act Fast

December 01, 2016

If You’ve Made a Bad Decision, Act Fast

No one likes to make a bad decision. Maybe you hired the wrong person, took a job that wasn’t a good fit, or launched a new product that no one seems to want. When you realize that you made a mistake, act fast. It’s far better for your career to accept the loss now, rather than dragging it out and wasting even more resources. Think carefully about how you might make the situation better. You may not need to pull the plug completely. For example, if you hired the wrong person for the job but she has the right attitude, she may be open to training to improve her skills. But some problems require drastic, decisive action. If you absolutely hate your new job after a month, you may want to resign immediately so that the company can make an offer to another candidate. Once you’ve taken action, reflect on what happened. Could the problem realistically have been avoided? Sometimes the answer is no, but other times, if you’re honest with yourself, you could have prevented the situation. Take the time to understand where you went wrong so you don’t make the same mistake twice.

Adapted from “What to Do When You’ve Made a Bad Decision,” by Dorie Clark