Tap Dancing to Work: Warren Buffett on Practically Everything
Category Archives: Effective Communication
Two-Minute Mentor #1: Argue like the Wright Brothers
The Wright brothers, most notable for their invention of powered flight, liked to debate with each other. Wilbur and Orville found that a constructive way to identify solutions to many problems they encountered or resolve their interpersonal conflicts was to … Continue reading
Crises call for constant, candid communication
As the current crises at Toyota and BP highlight, how you respond to a problem or crisis is the ultimate test of your leadership character. Knowing how to step up your communications efforts to the right levels during disorder can … Continue reading
Posted in Effective Communication, Leadership
Leave a comment
How to Write Email Subject Lines that Persuade
Writing great email Subject lines is the single most important skill you can develop to improve your effectiveness with email communication. The Subject line is the first — and occasionally the only — element of an email that readers notice. … Continue reading
Posted in Effective Communication
Leave a comment
[Effective Meetings] Save Time by Meeting in Others’ Offices
Henry Ford Saved Time by Meeting Others in Their Offices Here is a productivity technique practiced by Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company and automobile engineering pioneer. One of his executives noticed that Ford almost always conferred with … Continue reading
How to Overcome Shyness in Initiating Conversations
Uneasiness in Striking up Conversations The introverts among us do not like being the center of attention and the life of parties. We prefer small get-togethers with a selected group of familiar friends. We have a tendency to shy away … Continue reading
Pretending to Know-it-All and Failing to Admit Ignorance
Often, professionals suppose that being considered smart, intelligent, or “on top of things” implies presenting themselves with much self-confidence, and requiring knowing everything. Consequently, they tend to force themselves to pretend to “know it all” and hesitate to respond with … Continue reading
[Effective Arguments] Explain Your Opponent’s Perspective
“The man who can hold forth on every matter under debate in two contradictory ways of pleading, or can argue for and against every proposition that can be laid down – such a man is the true, the complete, and … Continue reading
Identify and Eliminate Passive Voice in Microsoft Word
A previous article had promoted the use of active voice for persuasive communications. To summarize, sentences in passive voice (e.g., “Your feedback is appreciated,”) though grammatically correct, seem impersonal and obscure the responsibility of actions or feelings they convey. Sentences … Continue reading
Posted in Effective Communication
1 Comment
[Presentation Skills #5] Effective Fonts for Presentations
Serif and Sans-Serif Fonts Font families are classified according to their appearance: serif fonts, sans-serif fonts, monospace fonts, cursive fonts, fantasy fonts, etc. Characters in serif fonts have little projections or ‘tails’ (serif = tail in French) at the end … Continue reading
Posted in Effective Communication
1 Comment
[Ideas for Impact #37] 7-38-55 Rule of Personal Communication
In personal communication, the words of a speaker are just a part of his efforts to communicate. The pitch and tone of his voice, the speed and rhythm of the spoken word and the pauses between his words may express … Continue reading
