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Now released! The
American Dream: A Tale of Leadership from the Founding Fathers
Buy it today from iUniverse.com
Advance praise for The American Dream
“The American
Dream is an inspirational story that teaches us the power and the purpose
of great dreams.” —Marcia Wieder,
America’s
Dream Coach, CEO and Founder Dream University®
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Ways You Talk Yourself Into
Trouble – and How to Talk Yourself Out of It
Like many of you, I have a friend who seems to have no
filter between her brain and her mouth. What she thinks, she simply says.
Sometimes that results in witty, side-splitting comments. At other times,
it makes me want to cringe at the crude, harsh remarks.
When unfiltered comments are said
in the workplace, the results can be very damaging, especially if you're
in a leadership position. Plus, as John Lennon said, once something
is said, it cannot be unsaid. At the very least, you could offend a
co-worker who disengages with you and then is seemingly
unavailable when you need them. At worst, you could lose your job or have
a severe setback in your career.
Here are three ways I find my
clients talk themselves into trouble - and the ways you can save yourself
from irreparable situations.
- Verbal blunders. Saying the wrong
thing is not only embarrassing, it can be expensive. You may think
the comment is harmless and you're simply joking around, but someone
else might not. According to a New York Times survey and
the Zogby International research firm,
workplace bullying is on the rise. Almost 37 percent of
American workers said they experienced bullying on the job. Researchers
at the University of Manitoba reported that the emotional toll of
workplace bullying may be more severe than sexual harassment and
possibly more costly. The State of Oregon shelled out $315,000 to
settle one case of workplace bullying. Saving points:
Think before you speak. Pause for a moment and process what you're
going to say. Consider your audience, too, and be sensitive to
culture, gender, and company position.
- Unclear communication. I read a recent SIS
International Research study which revealed that 70% of small- to
mid-size businesses claim their primary problem is ineffective
communication. These communication issues also cost money. A
business with only 100 employees spends an average downtime of 17
hours a week clarifying communication. This translates to an annual
cost of $528,443. A recent University of Maryland study showed that
poor communication in hospitals costs $12 billion a year. Ouch.
Sadly, many other industries pay a similar price. Saving
points: Consider the ways in which people process
and absorb information. Do they like structure or are they less
formal? Are they detail-oriented or do they prefer the big picture?
Are they quick-paced or prefer to take more time? Also, think about
the ways they like to communicate. Some individuals favor email and
text, while others would prefer you pick up the phone and give them
a call.
- Constantly interrupting. My mother used to
say there was a reason I was born with one mouth and two ears. She
generally said that when I was attempting to interrupt her. Here are
a few helpful tips to tame this annoying habit. Saving
points: Be aware that you have a habit of
interrupting. Decide for an entire 24 hours that you will not
interrupt someone, whether it's a co-worker, friend, or family
member. Listen and be curious about what they are saying. Observe
and be mindful of how it feels not to interrupt. Remember
that practice makes perfect.
Effective communication
strategies help you to quickly determine the right words to generate
understanding, improve comprehension, and avoid offensive
comments. The next time you hear yourself talking your way into
trouble, pause a moment and think about those saving points. You could be
saving yourself a lot of trouble - and a whole lot of money.
For more information about
assessments and coaching, you can contact GinaMaria directly at jerome@leadershipguild.com.
Copyright
© 2009. All Rights Reserved.
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Are you ready to set up and lead the way
in these transformational times? Executive coaching can make you a more
effective leader and communicator. When you experience coaching you:
·
Form strategies unique to you and your goals
·
Identify areas of strengths that you can leverage
·
Determine the changes you'd like to make and how to
make them
·
Create a support system of success
Sign up now for a strategy session and
get a free communication styles
assessment for you and your team. To set a date and time, email me at jerome@leadershipguild.com.
But hurry. I will only offer this for a very short time...
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About The Guild
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The Leadership Guild is committed to helping companies find
solutions that develop strong leaders through communication, professional
development, improved performance, and organizational management.
We offer expert resources, practical techniques, and easy-to-use tools to
launch your organization from where it is to where you want to it to be.
Our business solutions are designed to enhance communication skills to
develop a leadership mindset, outline goals, set direction, execute
plans, and achieve results.
Visit us at www.leadershipguild.com.
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The Leadership
Guild • 904.564.9070 • info@leadershipguild.com
Copyright © 2009
All rights reserved.
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