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Category: Communication

1-Minute Strategies: July ’11

Tidy up your text by counting the number of words you use per sentence, and compute the average. If it’s between 15 and 20 words per sentence, you pass … Never offer praise and ask for a favor in the same conversation. It makes the praise seem like a setup … Looking for ways to fill your time at work? Always frame your request positively.

Don’t start a speech by citing …

Don’t start a speech by citing “eight ways to beat inflation” or “10 rules of teamwork.” After the first one, your audience will quickly calculate how long you’re likely to talk, and zone out. Adapted from The Speechwriter’s Handbook of Humor, Robert Orben, Marion Street Press.

Say what?

When she won the Oscar this year, actress Melissa Leo made the mistake of dropping the F-bomb as part of her speech on live television. Tip: Prior to walking into a room or onto a stage, practice your spiel.

Should you call out a co-worker?

Another admin on your team just made a cringe-worthy mistake. It was so bad that, although you’re a team player, you’d like to make sure your co-worker is held accountable. Is there a way to place the blame in a professional way? Opinions differ among the experts.