communication skills

people talking

How to Get (and Keep) a Conversation Going

Conversations don’t fail because we have nothing to say. They often stall because we ask questions that accidentally shut them down.   Think about how often we ask questions that

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Feedback

How To Offer Unsolicited Feedback

There have been many times when people have come up to me after a talk to tell me what they got out of it, how much the content resonated, and

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Listening

What Kind of Listener Are You?

If communication is the foundation of every relationship, then listening is the part most of us overestimate.   We think we’re good at it. We nod. We make eye contact.

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Being Interrupted

Being interrupted, dismissed, or diminished? Try these 4 strategies.

Those of you who’ve seen me in person know that I’m not the tallest person. So not surprising that a reader reached out with this problem:   I’m a stereotypical

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Disagreement

Disagreement Doesn’t Have to Mean Disconnection

My clients inspire me. They also laugh at me because I get excited when I come up with something that will not only help them but is a great model

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unhappy at work

Unhappy at work? This may be to blame.

I’m sure you’ve heard some version of the phrase, “You reap what you sow,” or “What goes around comes around,” or even “Karma’s a bitch.” There are so many idioms

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Small Talk

When Small Talk Falls Flat: How to Create Real Conversations

Small talk is often where conversation begins — but it’s not where connection lives.   You’ve likely been there: you run into a colleague, client, or peer. You exchange pleasantries.

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Listening

What “Silent and “Listen” Can Teach Us About Leadership

Have you ever noticed that the words “silent” and “listen” are made up of the exact same letters?   I stumbled across this little linguistic coincidence recently, and it stopped

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Ask This Question

Before You Fix It: Ask This Question First

My natural inclination, when someone comes to me with a problem, is to immediately jump into action mode. Thinking to myself, “What can I do? How can I make this

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