Category: 1-Minute Strategy

Avoid anything that could diminish your professional image. If an executive wouldn’t do it, you shouldn’t either. For example: An executive would never produce a company newsletter that contains recipes.

When a long-winded colleague parks in your workstation and launches into a monologue, resist the urge to respond in any way, even with a simple “uh-huh.” Every utterance gives the talker reason to continue.

When dealing with papers, Only Handle It Once (OHIO). If you find yourself picking up the same paper, examine why you’re delaying action.

Don’t undermine your message by apologizing for your stance or using unnecessarily soft tones. When you’re submissive, you show a lack of self respect.

Lay a foundation for success by comparing your responses to these queries: “When my colleagues think of me, what am I most known for?” and “What do I want to be known for?”

Find synonyms faster by right-clicking the word on your screen. That will bring up Microsoft Word’s thesaurus function.

Boost your influence at work and elsewhere by listening. That’s Warren Buffett’s secret. He makes whomever he’s listening to feel like the center of the universe. The result: loyalty.

Need to say you’re sorry? Apologize immediately, face to face. Don’t wait or try to smooth things over with humor. Speak slowly, which will make the apology sound more sincere.

Use your drive time productively by listening to educational CDs. Learn a foreign language, develop your management skills, listen to a book or improve your parenting.

You’ll spur innovative thinking by tackling an everyday task in a different environment. Hold an informal meeting at a coffee shop or during a walk.