Like the Hatfields and the McCoys, you and another worker become engaged in a feud. Only it’s not out in the open; it’s simmering under the surface. You’re in the middle of a “covert conflict.” To resolve it, first turn it into an overt conflict. Take these three steps.
Internal Communication
Please address the use of the word “bad” versus “badly.”
Power up your correspondence by reading it aloud before sending it.
Polish an introduction by bookending it with the person of importance in your office and saying something about each person.
You know them well: the co-worker who spends way too much time talking on the phone, and the colleague who projects boredom in staff meetings. How can you possibly tell these people that they’re hurting themselves professionally—and should you try?
Turn co-workers into die-hard supporters who will watch your back and help propel your career. These three tactics can help you build workplace friends who go the extra mile for you, says management consultant Margaret Morford.
You’re sitting at your desk, working productively, when in comes the Toxic Dumper … for the fifth time this week! She proceeds to commandeer your time, using you as a dumping ground for her complaints.
Whether your e-mail inbox is cluttered with spam or work-related e-mail, take note: The following techniques can help you gain control of your wild inbox.
The phrase that annoys me most lately — “more importantly” — is widely used on television shows and commercials alike. It seems to me that it should be “more important,” unless the speaker is referring to the way something is done. Do you agree?
Three-quarters of today’s execs use e-mail as their primary form of communication. So, make sure your messages stand out amid the e-mail avalanche by crafting them as if the boss has only 10 seconds to read them.
You won’t find many people who love meetings. That might be because attendees often feel like meetings are a waste of time. At Marilyn Halsall’s workplace, “action minutes” are part of the remedy.
Steer clear of this sentence structure when writing: “There’s coffee and bagels in the conference room.”
Common mistakes when using contractions.
