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Category: People Skills

Motivation, that most slippery of beasts

“Here’s the dirty little secret about motivation you need to know,” writes Alain Hunkins in Cracking the Leadership Code: Three Secrets to Building Strong Leaders. “You can’t really motivate anyone else.”

Master executive support

It truly is a special skill to support and partner with an executive. It is not an easy role, and it is not for the faint hearted. It takes grit, resiliency, street smarts, tenacity and agility.

Welcome to the age of the ambivert

Do you consider yourself an extrovert? An introvert? Do you think that an introvert can be a successful leader? The assumption is usually that leaders are more often extroverts—at least the successful ones. Recent research has suggested that introverts, with their higher capacity for empathy and thoughtfulness, actually make better leaders.

Dealing with co-worker confrontations

Confrontations can be stressful, and the workplace is one place where they’re sure to crop up. If you find yourself in a position to address an issue with a co-worker, keep these strategies in mind to maximize the chances of successful communication.

Get quick feedback from the boss

Managers have a lot on their plates, which can prevent them from getting back to you about your project in a timely manner. Here are C+A+O, the three elements to any decision you should remember when writing emails to your boss.

Ask smart questions when negotiating

A negotiation isn’t an argument—or it shouldn’t be. Whether you’re trying to hammer out a deal with a job candidate, a customer, or your own boss, try using these simple strategies to clarify what you both want so you can come to a mutually satisfying agreement.

Turn spats into constructive dialogues

Office conflicts don’t have to be destructive. For example, imagine that two employees disagree over the best way to complete a task or solve a problem, can’t resolve their quarrel, and dump it in your lap. To help these two get back to work quickly, try this approach.