If you use the search term “conflict resolution,” combined with the name of your local community college or university, you should find plenty of good short courses nearby–often for CEU credit. Readers also recommend SkillPath Seminars. Their website can tell you if they offer seminars near you. In the meantime, keep in mind that often all it takes to turn a “difficult” person into an ally is some active listening. Try these 4 tips:
1. Listen to their total message/story.
2. Prove your understanding with nonverbal signals.
3. Use open-ended probes.
4. Paraphrase what you hear. Editor’s note: For more advice on working with difficult people, Business Management Daily offers two free reports, at: www.businessmanagementdaily.com/WorkplaceConflictResolution and www.businessmanagementdaily.com/OfficeCommunicationToolkit
In the classic training video “The Power of Vision,” a young man walks along a beach tossing stranded starfish back into the sea. A man points out that, with so many starfish stranded on the beach, the young man’s efforts couldn’t possibly make a difference. Flipping another starfish into the suf, the young man replies, […]
Depending on our personal history, values, beliefs, language and culture, we bring a unique perspective to the workplace. Our perspective is what creates the stories we use to justify our behavior for taking or not taking action. These same stories explain our successes and failures and how we deal with others.
Question: Recently, a coworker’s highly inflammatory email was accidentally forwarded to both me and the owner of our business. I got quite upset, because the email contained disrespectful and libelous remarks about me. The owner told him to apologize, but that never happened. Now this person has sent another email defaming my character and professional skills. I have forwarded this message to the owner, but I can’t continue to sit back and take these malicious comments. Do I have grounds to tell the owner that he should terminate this employee? – Not a Wimp
The run in your stocking or the stain on your tie. The minor typo on page 4 of your report. Little things that might seem invisible to you, but other people notice them, especially those who are gunning for you. Since little chinks in you armor add up, take the time to fix them.
These days, social networking—through LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter—is how many people make and strengthen their connections. Maribeth Kuzmeski, author of The Connectors, says that using a few simple rules of thumb can help make your social networking more efficient.
Let your body language broadcast your confidence … Keep track of your “must read” pile with Delicious.com. It’s a particularly useful tool for longer-term storage of important articles, and you can access it from any device … On your résumé, list accomplishments, not just job duties.