When you’re promoted to a position where you must manage former peers—or current friends—it’s only natural to want them to like you. But at the same time, as a manager, you need to demonstrate fairness. Earn the respect of the team and build trust with these tips:
Every night, when CEO Danny Meyer goes home, he reads a daily memo that his executive assistant e-mails him. “I don’t know how we managed without them,” says the leader of Union Square Hospitality Group. Consider using a productivity booster like an e-mailed daily memo to keep communication strong between you and your boss.
Elevate the clarity of your writing by using the inverted pyramid style that journalists use … Go ahead, give someone a high five or a supportive pat on the back … Send large files fast by using a free service such as YouSendIt Lite … Gain credibility by stripping “marketese” from your writing geared toward customers … Double-check e-mail messages where the stakes are high.
Question: “Although I’m viewed positively at work, I believe my reserved demeanor is holding me back. I’m not shy, but I have trouble making small talk. In meetings, I give input whenever I’m asked, but seldom volunteer information … Can you suggest some communication strategies for meetings and social situations?”
Steve Cody, a public relations consultant who blogs as The Repman, says he’s learned four things about good communication from practicing stand-up comedy: 1. Courage builds courage. 2. Timing is (almost) everything. 3. It’s not just what you say, but how. 4. Humor works like a magnet.
How well do you and your boss communicate? Two people working closely must communicate well in order to collaborate and work effectively. According to research from Gallup, people who are “excellent collaborators” give themselves high ratings for each of the following statements:
Manage your “invisible résumé” by rewriting the sections you don’t like … Perfected your bragalogue yet? Communications coach Peggy Klaus swears by this self-promotion tool … Avoid this grammar misstep … Make your LinkedIn invitations stand out … Convince yourself of the power of checklists by reading The Checklist Manifesto.
Forget the tirade. Rather than huff and holler when overhearing a discriminatory comment, quash it with poise. Experts share their best strategies for dealing with inappropriate remarks:
Frenemies aren’t just found on reality TV shows; they’re everywhere. Even Apple has one: Google. If you have “frenemies”—colleagues with whom you have cordial, unproductive relationships—don’t give up. Before they become full-fledged enemies, take these steps:
When writing for a broad audience, pay attention to what’s called the “fog index,” which measures the density of your writing. Never mind how it’s calculated—a complex formula tracks things such as word lengths, sentence lengths and syllables. Test your writing by plugging a sentence or two into the text box at
www.panix.com/~dhf/fog.html.
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