Category: Tactfully Speaking
Need to persuade a co-worker to embrace a new policy? Want buy-in from your supervisor to pay for your association fee? People are more likely to be persuaded when you share examples, references or testimonials from others they feel are just like them. It’s called Social Proof.
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.
Like it or not, life is easier when you’re easy to like. People want to spend time with you, work with you, promote you, include you, vote for you and do more things for you. So what’s your like-factor quotient?
If you’re like most people, the last thing you want to hear after you’ve finally worked up your nerve to ask for what you want is a big, fat no. Rejection isn’t fun. But rejection is a great time to take stock.
Is there a gap that feels as big as the Grand Canyon between your aspirations and your accomplishments, between the dreams you want to achieve and the reality of your current circumstances? Why do we think one thing, say another and then do something else? It’s because we’re what I call out-of-alignment.
“I’m worried the team won’t like my suggestions.” “I’m worried I didn’t give my boss enough time between flights.” “I’m worried they’ll eliminate my position.” Everybody worries sometimes, but too much worrying becomes a mental bad habit that costs time, money and personal sanity. What to do instead? Make worry WORK for you.
Following a speaking engagement for administrative professionals, I found myself listening to familiar comments. “My supervisor is so busy I never get a chance to have more than a two-minute conversation, and she never gives me feedback, so I never know what she is thinking.” In these circumstances you need to ask for what you need to be successful.
You’ve had nothing but constant interruptions all morning as deadlines loom and then the phone rings … again. Seconds later, you find yourself on the other end of a loud, complaining customer, client or colleague whose expectations haven’t been met. What do you do?
Do you ever think about how many decisions you make within 24 hours? Although we have more choices and more information today to help us decide, it’s not getting easier. According to a recent conversation I had with a colleague and friend, Mary Goulet, the key is to Go with your Gut! Personally, I prefer the word intuition.
Supervisors depend on you to protect their busy schedules, leaving you to deal with calls from sales representatives. You tell the reps you’ll pass the information to your supervisor, and someone will follow up should there be an interest. However, your words fall on deaf ears, and they continue to follow up. Some even stretch the truth in hopes of making a sale. So what do you do?