Category: 1-Minute Strategy

When responding to questions, pause even if you know the answer. Responding quickly to some questions highlights the answers you don’t know.

If your boss constantly interrupts you to check the status of projects, start his day with a brief update.

If you rarely get to finish a sentence, condense your comments into 20 seconds or fewer, making every word count. If a peer tries to cut you off, hold your ground

When the office address changes, ask staff members to include the new information after their signatures on e-mails to their outside contacts: “We’ve moved! Our new location is …”

As you move through a workday, note questions as they occur. When you have three or more to discuss with a boss or co-worker, ask for a meeting. You’ll save time and make a great impression.

If you’ve worked with someone who greets new assignments with “Oh boy!” or who sighs or mutters, you know those habits undermine image. Don’t be guilty, too. Listen and catch yourself. Ask a friend whether any habits are working against you.

Don’t pursue and idea without strong backing. If only one person favors it, don’t agree to study it or work on it.

The best time to strengthen your circle of contacts is when you’re not looking for a job. Call former colleagues and bosses now for  a quick “catch-up” chat.

Resist the temptation to hide mistakes, minimize them or blame them on outside forces. Accept them, dissect them and learn from them. You grow stronger from each one.

Good stress is excitement when you’re about to tackle a challenge. Bad stress comes from fretting or blowing problems out of scale. Learn to recognize the difference.