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?”
Steer clear of these three grammatical pitfalls: 1. “None”: It is always singular, never plural. 2. Learn when to use “lie” vs. “lay.” 3. It’s “between you and me,” not “you and I.”
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.
“Because,” “due to,” “since”—which one is the right one to use? Use “because” instead of wordier options, such as “owing to the fact that” or “on the grounds that.” You could also use it instead of the persnickety “due to.” Example: “It was canceled because of illness.” “Since” often means the same thing as “because.”
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:
Hold more-focused meetings… Keep emoticons out of business communication … Find salary information for administrative positions in your area … Save money on printing … Avoid this grammar trap … Receive the credit you deserve …
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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