Category: 1-Minute Strategy

Start a thank-you note with “you” to make someone feel good. “You are a marvelous hostess” instead of “I had a wonderful time.”

At your performance review, ask this question: “What do you think went well this year?” Some bosses are lousy at expressing appreciation without some coaxing on your part. By asking this question, you’ll draw out specific, positive comments.

Take a stroll with people instead of inviting them to lunch. An ambling outing offers a better forum to build rapport as you talk and walk.

Never be caught without an answer by memorizing this phrase: “Give me some time to check my notes on that. I want to be absolutely sure that I get this right.”

Read what you wrote out loud. That increases the odds that you’ll catch a missing “the” or spot an “and and.”

Hold your drink in your left hand at business events. This keeps your shaking hand from being cold and damp.

Make the most of meetings by choosing a smart seat. Sit in easy view of the person running the meeting, so your contributions will be noted. Don’t sit across from someone likely to challenge your ideas.

Whenever someone offers you a juicy tidbit about a person in your office, say, “She never says anything bad about you.” Then just walk away.

Before trying to lift a heavy item, grasp one edge and slowly try to tilt it. If it’s tough to move, it’s too heavy to lift by yourself. Get a dolly or seek help from a co-worker.

When you need a few minutes to fix a technical glitch during a presentation, ask the meeting leader to call a brief “intermission.” That allows you to straighten out the problem without being in the spotlight.