Category: 1-Minute Strategy

Reply to nonurgent e-mails at the end of the day, when you’re eager to head home and won’t waste time lingering over them. If you need more time for your reply, send it first thing in the morning.

When you want feedback from the boss, don’t ask, “Was my work on the project OK?” Instead, ask, “What could I have done better?” or “If you could pick one thing that I could have done better on that project, what would it be?”

Instead of raising your voice to match the caller’s volume, speak softly. That will soothe the speaker and show him that you’re interested in handling the complaint in a calm rational way.

If the boss never wears jeans in the office, you shouldn’t either. And always be guided by this principle: Dress for respect.

Speak and write more powerfully by avoiding intensifiers. “Very,” “really,” “truly,” “basically,” “essentially” and “fundamentally” add little to your sentences and can weaken your message.

Speed appointment rescheduling by suggesting a day and time, instead of asking when the person would like to start the new meeting. He or she can quickly check the one you offer, instead of searching the entire calendar for an opening.

Teach yourself a new skill. If you haven’t been able to obtain training due to a tight budget, pick up a book and start learning.

The aroma of jasmine, lemon, peppermint and cinnamon can relieve anxiety and cure drowsiness, say researchers at a Japanese cosmetics company. Lavender, sage and cypress can produce a calming effect.

When seeking a solution to an office problem, remember to call on the newest staff members. By being unrestrained by the “how we’ve always done it” mindset, they may point out an option you would have otherwise overlooked.

Want to keep a meeting brief? Don’t sit down to talk if you can complete the discussion in the time it would take to ride an elevator to the top of an office building. Standing for a “huddle” with colleagues helps keep the session brief.