Communication

Subscribe to Communication via RSS

The incoming email annoyed you to say the least. You have written your proposed response, controverted all of the points, dealt with all the inaccuracies, this email will really show them who is boss, press send and go home, what is more put your out of office on that you are not back now until tomorrow. Is that the right response? You may feel better but it is often not the right response. My preference would be that, having written it, save it to drafts and read the incoming email and your response again in the morning.Continue Reading Sleep on it

I am constantly amazed at the failure of people, clients, contacts, friends, vendors, whomever to respond to texts, emails or voicemails. Failing to do so creates a vacuum into which the sender can import their worst fears, often about themselves, and damage your relationship. I will assume for the purposes of this article that you actually want to have a relationship with the sender. If not, failure to reply is a way to kill it, not, I would argue the best way, but a way.Continue Reading Acknowledge and Reply

Taking instructions is a bit like having a really good conversation, both involve actively listening to the other person. My father, who was a thoughtful man, once told me, we have two ears and one mouth for a reason and we should use them in the same ratio!

I was reminded of this when I listened recently to an excellent Ted talk by Celeste Headlee called “10 ways to have a better conversation”. I thoroughly recommend it to you. Her rules were very clear, I have summarised my interpretation of them each after the colon.Continue Reading Active Listening

Nothing breaks trust as quickly as a broken promise. That is why I am constantly bemused by how often people set themselves deadlines that they seem incapable of meeting. As a client one has that constant let down feeling. Self-doubt creeps in, my work is not interesting enough, I am not important enough, I don’t matter to the other person. We all deal with competing pressures and clients – why put yourself under pressure? Allow time for things to go wrong, to take longer than expected, to require more analysis. Don not put unnecesssary strains on your client relationship.Continue Reading Under promise and over deliver

How do you reply to a friend or colleague you trust and respect but do not know how to help? I believe starting with the truth is the best way forward. Sounds easy but do we observe it? The important thing is the respect and trust you have for each other. Don’t do anything to injure that. Your friend deserves your support and encouragement , and if appropriate constructive criticism. Continue Reading Give and Earn Respect

Key aspects of being a successful professional is being Able, Available and Accessible. I am therefore constantly shocked by how many people do not think about Availability and Accessibility when setting up their Out of Office (0-o-O) messages. This is a key sales message to clients, contacts and colleagues. It immediately says volumes about you, your office and your systems.Continue Reading Selling yourself