Communication skills

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10 Ways To Become A Better Leader

10 Ways To Become A Better Leader

During your career development, there comes a point when your leadership skills will be put to the test. Technical skills are obviously important because they will get you to a position where you may have to start utilizing your soft skills. This is the exact reason why leadership skills are considered a very important attribute that can help you climb the career ladder.

With a combination of technical know-how and valuable leadership qualities, you can get promotions easily and be regarded as an important asset to the company. Here are a few tips that can help you become a better leader.

1. Focus On Your Goals


Happy executive focusing on his goals to become a better leader

It is a leader's job to keep a very clear vision of the goal and make sure the team members are happy and thoroughly motivated to follow. This means the leader also should know how to put forward a certain task in front of the team to get maximum output from them with ease.

The leader also should bring out the importance of the goal and the reason why the team should put the ultimate effort into it. This ability can really bring all of the team members together and unify them to give their best for the ultimate goal.

2. Develop Good Communication Skills


Leader developing her communication skills at work during a team meeting

Communication plays a very important role in all relationships, especially between a team leader and their team members. Team members rely on their leader for ideas and motivation, which can be generated only with good communication skills.

As a leader, you should also create a very friendly environment where the employees are engaged in sharing their ideas and concerns. It has been said that a team leader who can communicate well wins the trust of team members.

3. Be A Good Listener


A leader demonstrates his good listening skills while talking to a coworker

If you wish to be a better leader, then you will have to be a better listener too. Listening skills help in generating feedback from the team members regarding the project, and the right feedback can be a good way to solve issues and achieve goals with ease.

Listen without any distractions, keep steady eye contact, and respond thoughtfully. Apart from being good at verbal skills, you should be aware of your body language while talking to your team.

4. Learn To Tackle Conflicts


Female leader tackles conflicts at work during a meeting

It is a part of leadership skills to understand people and resolve conflicts positively. In situations where an employee does not give their best and brings negativity to the team, the leader has to be able to talk to the member in private.

You should keep courage and never shy away from honestly speaking your mind. This approach is better than firing people without knowing their side of the story.

5. Maintain A Higher Level Of Professionalism


A senior executive/leader maintains a higher level of professionalism at the office

It is important that you keep high standards of professionalism, integrity, and work transparency to earn respect from your team members and your clients.

It is the leader's job to set a high standard of credibility and strong character to motivate the team to perform to their level best.

6. Share Your Passion


A good leader shares her passion with her employees during a team meeting

Passion is quite contagious, and if the leader shows a lot of passion, it may rub off on the team members too. This helps in easing pressure from difficult projects. It also drives the employees into encountering hurdles with ease.

The positive energy and enthusiasm should flow within the team through the leader first.

7. Motivate Others


A good leader motivates others at work during a team meeting

A genuine leader is one who has the capacity to influence members and drive them to perform at optimum levels. The leader's positive motivation is important, especially when members lose focus or get disappointed in the wake of difficulties that may arise during a job.

A leader should be upfront in talking to team members and tell personal stories that would encourage the members to help them get back in the game.

8. Inspire And Nurture Innovative Ideas


An executive/leader inspires and nurtures innovative ideas during a team meeting/presentation

Innovation is coined to be the most important aspect of growth and is largely related to out-of-the-box and unorthodox thinking. Great leaders are the ones who can instill a culture of innovation among the team members and help them find solutions that can involve some trial and error.

Such an outlook will help in achieving long-term success with the team and earn their respect furthermore.

9. Respect Everyone


A good leader respects everyone during a team meeting

The truest and most genuine leaders are the ones who are humble, honest, and respectful toward all the members of the team. A leader also has to constantly learn from all of the members and encourage others to do the same.

Such leadership qualities can help in motivating and inspiring the members to achieve greater success and produce fruitful results.

10. Recognize And Reward The Deserving


A manager/leader rewards an employee for his good work

A team member feels more positive and motivated if their work is being appreciated. As a team leader, it's your job to recognize such hard work with rewards and recognition. This will also drive and encourage the other members to be more productive.

A good leader understands the value of taking a backseat sometimes and gives the due credit to the rightful individual to promote team building. A great leader ensures that the work rate of the team is increased without increasing the stress levels.

Leadership is a learning process. Each of the tips above can help you achieve greater success as a leader, and also help you understand that when you are a leader, the most important goal is always to keep the team together and performing at the highest level.

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10 Ways To Become A Better Leader

4 Things Interviewers Rate You On

4 Things Interviewers Rate You On

You want to demonstrate you have the experience and skills for the job. But what makes one candidate more favorable than the other when they both have the same type of experience and skills?

When this is the case, it often comes down to a job seeker's performance during the interview.

As a job seeker, it's important to understand what other areas interviewers consider when reviewing each candidate as a total package. Here are four areas interviewers rate you on...

Enthusiasm


A job seeker shows enthusiasm while answering a question during a job interview

Employers want a job candidate with a "can-do" attitude and who has a strong desire to work for the company. Make sure that comes through in your communication, from your cover letter, phone interview, and in-person interview to the thank-you note.

Throughout the entire process, you want to make it known that you remain highly interested in the position. When you are meeting in person, you can also use your body language to help demonstrate engagement and interest.

Communication Skills


A recruiter/hiring manager has an engaging conversation with a job candidate during an interview

A top trait that employers seek for every position is strong communication skills. Your ability to articulate what experience and skills you have to offer and how they can contribute to your future employer's success has to come through if you want to impress the interviewer.

People hire people they like so your job in the interview is to turn it into a conversation and be prepared to ask questions during the process. Keep in mind that a key part of communicating effectively has to do with intonation and body language. When your voice exhibits excitement and you're leaning forward and making eye contact, that is stressing to the interviewer you're communicating something of importance.

Technical Skills


The first thing an employer will do is determine if you have the requisite skills and experience for the position. Make sure you have studied the job posting, researched people at the company on LinkedIn, and know what they are looking for and how you can contribute.

When answering interview questions, use the "Experience + Learn = Grow" model to give examples of your key skill sets in action. This includes outlining a professional experience related to the question, talking about what you learned from the experience, and how you grew from it professionally.

Overall Fit For The Position


Professional man working in a casual environment attends a meeting

You need to demonstrate that you are a "good fit" for their organization. This is measured in two ways: your skill and competencies and your demeanor and personality. Once you have shown that your technical skills are there, they want to see if people will want to work with you. Don't be afraid to let some of your personality come out.

The interviewer wants to see your sense of humor, confidence level, and whether you come across as honest or fake. The right combination of all those qualities will inform the interviewer if you're the right fit for the job, and also for the company's culture.

So, while you prepare for your interview to demonstrate you have what it takes to do the job, don't forget to impress the interviewer with these other factors that will differentiate you from the other job candidates who may have similar experience and skills. The more prepared you are for the job interview, the more confident you will be, and the more likely you'll make a great impression on the hiring manager.

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4 Things Interviewers Rate You On

If You Do These 10 Things, You’re Probably A TERRIBLE Co-Worker



One of the best things about work is that you get to collaborate with your co-workers. However, in offices all over the world, there are co-workers people would rather NOT work with every day.

Co-workers can get labeled as terrible for multiple reasons. And that label can do some serious damage at work.

Here are a few habits a colleague can have that would earn them that bad reputation. Are you guilty of any of them?

Gossiping About Your Co-Workers


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It's important to build a team that has respect for one another in the workplace. One of the biggest things that kills respect among colleagues is gossiping.

If you talk about your co-workers behind their backs, there's no way they're going to trust you or respect anything you have to say. Plus, they won't want to work with you if you're talking badly about them. That could have a major impact on your work, especially if you have a project you need help on.

Gossiping could give you a brief moment of satisfaction, but it can really do some serious damage to your work relationships.

Having A Bad Attitude At Work


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We've all had bad days at work. We're human, it's bound to happen.

However, having a consistent negative attitude at work will have a tremendous impact on your relationship with your co-workers.

Multiple studies show that negative attitudes can spread quickly, especially in the workplace. That means people will want to stay away from those who generate negative energy. Also, having a negative attitude at work kills workplace productivity and puts a major dent in workplace culture.

With that being said, take a minute to reflect on your attitude at work. Could it use some adjusting?

Distracting Your Co-Workers While On The Job 


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Let's be real—everyone needs a little break at work. It's good to take some time to get away from your desk, whether it's a five-minute walk around the office or a quick trip to the vending machine. However, constantly being distracted at work can lead to major problems that impact productivity.

A source of these distractions can come from co-workers.

Think about it. Is there a co-worker who is always talking, even when you're trying to work? Or is there a co-worker who blasts loud music at their desk throughout the workday?

These distractions may not be intentional, but they can cause other people to lose focus at work.

If you have distracting habits at work, think about how you can curb them. You'll be surprised by what it does for your office's productivity.

Taking Credit For Your Co-Worker's Work


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Working with a team at work has great benefits. You're able to collaborate with people and come up with ideas you may not have thought of on your own. That being said, giving credit to your co-workers for their contributions to the workplace is essential for maintaining good relationships with them.

If you're collaborating with a co-worker on a project and you want to expand on one of their ideas, be sure to give them credit where credit is due.

If you take all the glory and don't mention their contribution, it will reflect poorly on you.

Not Pulling Your Weight In The Office


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When you go to work, it's expected that you show up and actually do work. However, there are some people who do a lot of showing up...but not a lot of work.

When someone doesn't do their job, they force their co-workers to pick up the slack. That combined with the workload they already have could cause some MAJOR frustration in the office.

Make sure you're doing your job when you're at work. It can be so easy to get distracted, but you have to stay on track and do what needs to get done. Doing your share of the work will give you a lot of satisfaction and your co-workers will appreciate your contributions.

Immediately Shooting Down Co-Workers' Ideas


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Your co-workers will have ideas they want to share with the team from time to time. You may not like these ideas and, as a result, you may shut them down before the team even discusses them.

There are multiple reasons why this is a bad habit in the workplace. For starters, it could give the impression that you're not open to hearing new ideas. It could also give the impression that you don't care about your team's opinions.

So, before you shoot down a co-worker's idea, take a moment to really think about it and have a discussion with them about it instead of immediately expressing your distaste for it.

Bringing Personal Issues Into The Workplace 


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It's important to have a good work-life balance. However, bringing too much of your personal life into the workplace can cause some rifts in the office.

You may have co-workers you can talk to about your personal life. But you may also have co-workers who wish to maintain a strictly professional relationship with you.

If you vent about your personal life at work, you risk compromising your relationships with your co-workers.

As a worker, you are a business-of-one, which means you want to market yourself the best you can. Bringing a lot of your personal baggage into the workplace is not a good thing, and will make it harder to market yourself as an employee and co-worker.

Stinking Up The Whole Office With Your Lunch


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You know exactly what I'm talking about here.

There are certain rules of office etiquette that go unspoken. One of those rules is not to stink up the entire office with your food. Unfortunately, not everyone follows this rule.

There are some people who have no problem heating up their leftover fish at lunchtime. It may be in the microwave for only two minutes, but its impact lasts much longer.

Stinking up the office with your lunch is distracting.

Seriously, it's an issue if the only thing your co-workers can focus on is how your lunch smells.

Being Passive Aggressive In The Office


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A workplace culture should be built around mutual respect and trust among co-workers.

Once in a while, you may disagree with your colleagues, and that's okay. Disagreements happen, but how you handle it says more about you than the disagreement itself.

If you're passive aggressive toward your co-workers, it will cause some tension in the office.

Being passive aggressive means you aren't being direct with your co-workers about your issues with them. If you aren't direct with them, then how are you going to work past the issue you're having?

Passive aggressiveness will take its toll on the workplace if it isn't nipped in the bud. The best way to curb this is to be direct with your colleagues and have a professional discussion about the issue at hand.

Constantly Showing Up Late To Work


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Everyone is late to work once in a while. However, it's an issue if you're constantly late to work.

Showing up on time is a sign of respect in the office. It shows that you care about your work and getting in on time to get your work done.

If you're always showing up late, it shows that you don't respect the work you do. Also, running late can impact your co-workers. If they need your input on a project, but you're running late, it makes them crunched for time. That can lead to a stressful work environment.

Showing up to work on time reflects on you as a worker. So, show up on time and be ready to put your best foot forward.

Not every co-worker will be your friend, but it's always important to respect others in the workplace. If you're guilty of any of the habits mentioned above, try your best to be a better colleague today. Your co-workers (and career) will thank you.

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If You Do These 10 Things, You’re …

What Are Non-Verbal Communication Skills?



When we think of communication skills, most of us just think about written and verbal skills. For verbal communication, there is more than just talking and active listening. There is a third component—non-verbal communication skills. These are the ways you convey your message excluding words. What does that mean? Non-verbal communication includes things such as facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, and even how you’re dressed.

Non-verbal communication skills can provide clarity and depth to the message or allow one to better express a specific feeling (such as happiness, empathy, or concern). This is important and can help you make your message more compelling or persuasive, which in turn can make you more credible and trustworthy. This applies to “reading” your audience too.

If you’re a salesperson, understanding the body language of your client can help you tailor the conversation and approach toward your desired outcome. Or if you are talking with someone with a different culture, make sure you’re culturally sensitive. There may be non-verbal cues such as handshakes, bowing, or eye contact that may be inappropriate and possibly disrespectful. You don’t want to inadvertently make a social blunder or faux pas.

How Important Are Your Non-Verbal Communication Skills?


Communication graph

And how important are non-verbal communication skills? Did you know that non-verbal communication accounts for ~93% of a conversation? Yes, that means only ~7% of the communication is the actual words.

How effective is your ~93% of the conversation? Do you feel that people frequently misinterpret or misunderstand you, or seem confused? Or do they struggle relating to your non-verbal cues? And if your conversation is virtual (such as a large Zoom meeting) then you’ll need to pay extra attention to the non-verbal cues. For example, are some people constantly looking away, having their arms crossed, or fidgeting in their seats?

Improving Your Non-Verbal Communication Skills


Types of body language, non-verbal communication

If you have a big presentation or job interview coming up, you want to ensure you convey confidence and professionalism. After all, Will Rogers said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Improving your non-verbal communication skills can enhance your ability to convey messages effectively. It starts with self-awareness, and intentionally doing things such as the following:

  1. Display appropriate facial expressions – Use your face to express happiness, empathy, or concern.
  2. Tone and pitch of your voice – Be aware of the cadence of your speech and have a steady tone but not monotone.
  3. Practice active listening – You can show that you are engaged and listening by nodding and maintaining eye contact.
  4. Record yourself speaking – Practice and make recordings to see and hear yourself. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become.
  5. Be aware of cultural differences – Adjust your non-verbal gestures to be culturally sensitive when communicating with someone with a different culture. For example, the "OK" gesture (made by forming a circle with the thumb and forefinger) is widely recognized as positive in many Western cultures but may have an offensive connotation in other cultures.

Having strong non-verbal communication skills is important in both your personal and work life. Whether you are interviewing for a role, meeting with a new client, or collaborating with Marketing on a new service, it’s critical to be able to express and exchange information. Remember that non-verbal communication accounts for ~93% of a conversation.

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What Are Non-Verbal Communication Skills?

Are Strong Verbal Communication Skills Important?



Effective verbal communication can help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and avoid misunderstandings. Misunderstandings can arise when verbal communication is unclear which can lead to confusion and even conflict. According to Liz Papadopoulos, “Effective communication requires more than an exchange of information. When done right, communication fosters understanding, strengthens relationships, improves, and builds trust.”

Does your team have new team members? If so, help them build camaraderie so that they can respect, trust, and care for each other. A key attribute is for them to be able to communicate together.

For example, when having team meetings, make sure everyone has an opportunity to speak and be heard. Each team member should feel safe to be authentic and express their opinion to the group. After all, each team member is valuable and brings something different to the table. And don’t forget that cultural differences can impact verbal communication styles.

Verbal Communication Components


People talking, communication concept

One part of verbal communication is speaking skills. You need clarity to speak clearly and concisely to effectively communicate. Your tone, which includes volume and inflection, can also impact how your message is received. If your voice is loud and carries, are you cognizant that you may be perceived as intimidating?

Another component is listening skills. When someone is speaking to you, pay attention to and listen to understand what the speaker is saying. When you actively listen, you’ll be able to understand and appropriately respond as well as ask clarifying questions. How would it make you feel if someone didn’t completely listen to you and jumped to their own conclusions? According to Stephen Covey, “The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.”

Both speaking and listening are important. For example, at a job interview, the organization is interviewing you about several elements including your skills, accomplishments, and fit into the organization. At the same time, you’re interviewing the company to find out about their company culture, growth opportunities, and whether the role is a good fit for you.

Ways To Improve Your Verbal Communication Skills


Verbal communication, oral communication concept

How good do you think your verbal communication skills are? Do you struggle to verbalize your ideas and thoughts clearly? Do others fairly often misunderstand or misinterpret what you’re saying? Or are you uncomfortable speaking in front of people and avoid public speaking at all costs? If so, you may benefit from improving your verbal communication skills.

There are several ways to improve your verbal communication skills including:

  1. Record yourself – make a recording to hear how you speak. Rapidly? Monotone? Or how often do you pause thinking about what to say next and say filler words like "um," "uh," or "you know"? It starts with being aware.
  2. Practice speaking – take opportunities to practice speaking at meetings, or even lead presentations. Practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become.
  3. Join a public speaking group like Toastmasters International. There is a network of (in person, online, and hybrid) clubs worldwide that can help you improve your public speaking skills.
  4. Solicit feedback – seek out feedback from others. If you’re making your first presentation at a seminar, practice with a colleague.

Having strong verbal communication skills is important in both your personal and work life. Whether you are meeting and building a new relationship, interviewing for a role, resolving a customer service call, or collaborating with Marketing on a new service, it’s critical to be able to express and exchange information.

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Are Strong Verbal Communication Skills Important?



Written communication skills are very important because they’re a fundamental component of effective communication both professionally and personally. Written communication is critical to facilitate understanding and can have a far-reaching impact especially when those writings are shared.

How good do you think your written communication skills are? Do you consider yourself to be a fairly good writer, but can always use a refresher to pick up a couple of new points? For example, did you know that punctuation and grammar conventions can change and evolve over time?

Or are you at the other end of the spectrum (or somewhere in the middle) and sometimes struggle to express yourself clearly in writing? Do others fairly often misunderstand or misinterpret what you’ve written? If so, or if you avoid writing tasks, you may benefit from improving your writing skills.

There are several ways to improve your writing skills, and a few ways are:

1. Utilize tools and reference resources – there are numerous online tools to help supplement and improve your writing such as Grammarly, which checks for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style errors. Also, books—I especially like The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White!

2. Take a writing class (in person or online) – these types of courses can provide structured instructions on various writing techniques. Your organization’s training team may offer courses. Other options are schools and online platforms like LinkedIn Learning. Depending on the type of writing you want to improve, find a class that aligns with and will meet your needs.

3. Practice writing – set aside time to just write like journaling or creating content. Re-read it aloud to make sure it’s clear and well-organized. Like other things, the more you practice writing, the better you will become.

4. Solicit feedback – seek out feedback from others. For example, if you have an important report to send to your boss, ask a colleague to read it first.

Know Your Audience


Audience, business/written communication concept

There are certain skills that you need to communicate effectively and express your ideas in a clear and concise manner. Organize the information so that it’s logical and easy to follow using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

One of the most important aspects is to know your audience. Are you writing to a friend, customer, colleague, or your boss?

You may have different levels of formality depending on your audience, from an informal writing style if you’re writing in a personal or casual tone (like an email or blog) compared to a formal writing style where a professional tone is used (like an audit report).

There are different writing styles that may be used for specific types of audiences. For example, in advertising/marketing a persuasive writing style may be used to persuade the reader to take a specific action. Or a technical writing style may be used if the content is complex or requires technical terminology or knowledge. Be mindful when using technical jargon or industry-specific acronyms.

Whether you’re creating an email, marketing campaign, user manual, or status report, it can lend itself to different writing styles.

Understanding Your Audience


Braille alphabet, written communication concept

You may need to customize your message for specific audiences such as the visually impaired. Or maybe you have a more global reach and need different keyboard layouts to switch between different foreign languages. When you understand who your audience is and can take their needs and perspectives into account, your message will more likely be received effectively.

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How Important Are Good Written Communication Skills?



Whether you're an entrepreneur, professional, or aspiring leader, learning how to manage business relationships is an important skill that can drive success in your career. By elevating your networking and communication skills, building meaningful connections, and nurturing partnerships, you can foster long-lasting relationships in the dynamic business world.

We recently asked our leading executives for their best tips on how to manage business relationships.

Here are their responses...

John Schembari, Senior Education Academic And Operations Executive


Managing business relationships is key to any organization but especially for independent service providers/consultants such as myself. While working with business partners on a project, provide your relationships with the opportunity to give ongoing feedback on your services so that any pivots can be made early on to better support your partners' goals. Keep partners informed of project progress.

However, the key is not "just" to think of business partners/relationships when you need them. It is important to keep business ties current through ongoing albeit brief follow-up communication, after project completion, where you can offer your relationships something of value for free. Remind them of your value here and through social media—even better if, in highlighting your own gravitas on social media, you can promote the work of your business partners/clients at the same time.

And, if you can't support your business relationships/partners on a project, be open to providing names of other service providers who can. Your clients will see that you have their interests in mind and your colleagues to whom you provide business leads might one day return the favor.

John Schembari is a current K-12 teacher/school leader academic improvement coach and former school building and district administrator. He loves to draw, travel, swing dance, and read nonfiction.

Ana Smith, Leadership Development & Learning Strategist


Executive/leader/business partner talks in a meeting and manages his business relationships

Managing business relationships is a critical skill for any expert in the business world. Effective relationship management is essential for building strong partnerships, fostering trust, and achieving long-term success. Here are some key strategies for managing business relationships:

  1. Communication: Open and transparent communication is the foundation of successful business relationships. Regularly engage with your partners, clients, and stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns, and expectations. Actively listen and respond promptly to their inquiries, ensuring that all parties are on the same page.
  2. Establish clear objectives: Clearly define the purpose and goals of the business relationship. This includes setting mutual expectations, defining roles and responsibilities, and outlining the desired outcomes. Having well-defined objectives helps maintain focus and alignment throughout the partnership.
  3. Build trust: Trust is the cornerstone of any successful business relationship. Demonstrate reliability, competence, and integrity in all your interactions. Be honest about potential challenges and limitations, and work towards finding mutually beneficial solutions.
  4. Be proactive: Anticipate your partner's needs and address potential issues before they arise. Proactively share relevant information, updates, and insights that can add value to the relationship. Taking initiative showcases your commitment to the partnership's success.
  5. Respect and empathy: Treat your business partners with respect and empathy. Understand their perspectives and show genuine interest in their concerns. Empathy helps create a positive and collaborative environment, fostering strong bonds.
  6. Deliver on promises: Honor commitments and follow through on your promises. Consistently delivering on your obligations builds credibility and strengthens the trust between parties.
  7. Flexibility and adaptability: Business landscapes are ever-changing, so be prepared to adapt and adjust to new circumstances. Be flexible in finding solutions to challenges, and be open to evolving the relationship as needed.
  8. Handle conflicts constructively: Conflicts are inevitable in any business relationship. When they arise, address them promptly and constructively. Focus on finding resolutions that benefit both parties rather than trying to "win" the argument.
  9. Celebrate successes: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements together. Recognizing milestones and successes fosters a positive atmosphere and reinforces the value of the relationship.
  10. Regular evaluation: Periodically assess the progress of the partnership and the satisfaction of all involved parties. Solicit feedback and use it to improve and strengthen the relationship.

Remember, managing business relationships is an ongoing process that requires dedication, patience, and a genuine interest in building lasting connections. By investing in these strategies, you can cultivate mutually beneficial relationships that contribute to your overall business success.

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the "red thread."

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive


Female executive leads a meeting and manages her business relationships

In the dynamic business world, relationships are pivotal in driving success. Whether it’s with customers, suppliers, partners, or employees, effective communication stands out as the single most significant factor that can make or break these connections. When managing business relationships, focusing on effective communication can yield a significant impact. Here are several communication strategies to consider:

  • Active Listening: Active listening is an essential aspect of effective communication. By actively listening and giving stakeholders your undivided attention, you build trust and accurately grasp their needs and expectations while understanding their message effectively.
  • Clarity & Simplicity: In the fast-paced business world, simplicity is key. Clear and concise communication eliminates ambiguity and misunderstandings.
  • Empathy & Emotional Intelligence: Empathy and emotional intelligence play a vital role in building strong, authentic relationships. Understanding and acknowledging stakeholders' emotions through empathetic communication fosters trust, strengthens connections, and cultivates genuine connections.
  • Timeliness & Responsiveness: In today’s digital age, speed is of the essence. Timeliness and responsiveness are critical elements of effective communication. Responding promptly shows respect and maintains engagement.

In conclusion, effective communication is the foundation of successful business relationships. It is the catalyst that drives growth and fosters enduring connections. By prioritizing effective communication as a core value, businesses can navigate the complexities of the business landscape and thrive in a world where strong relationships are the key to lasting success.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

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Executive Spotlight: How To Manage Business Relationships



Have you ever wondered about how you communicate with others? How you interact with others plays a major role in both your career and life in general.

It can be hard to categorize yourself, but it's extremely helpful to have an idea of how you communicate with others and get a sense of how others perceive you. This type of self-assessment is important in figuring out how to market yourself as an employee that adds value to the workplace.

Fortunately, Work It Daily has a FREE Workplace Communication Style Quiz that can help determine your communication style.

What's The Communication Style Quiz?


Coworkers talk in the office

The Communication Style (ISAT) Quiz allows you to understand your communication style so you can work more effectively with others. It has 18 questions about your personality and how you handle certain situations.

An example of a question includes:

What describes you best?

A) Do not like pressure situations.

B) Don't mind pressure situations if can move things forward.

At the end of the quiz, you'll get your result. An individual's communication style falls into one of these four categories: Empathizer, Energizer, Contemplator, and Commander. Which one are you?

What Do My Results Mean?


Happy coworkers at work who know their communication style

The communication style results page gives a full rundown of each style, including each style's strengths and weaknesses. Can you guess what communication style you are?

Here are a few characteristics of each one:

Empathizer: Warm, tactful, avoids conflict.

Energizer: Open, upbeat, and outgoing.

Contemplator: Calm and reserved.

Commander: Serious and direct.

You might be surprised by your results. The only way to know for sure is to take the quiz.

How Do I Apply My Results To My Career?


Coworkers meet and talk about a project

Understanding your communication style can help you better interact with your co-workers. Understanding how you interact with fellow co-workers is especially important if you just started a new job and are the "office newbie."

Although you might think you have a firm grasp on how you communicate with others, you might not realize how you could be misinterpreted by co-workers, which could lead to some awkward situations and unwanted workplace conflict.

Having a better understanding of your communication style is also helpful for networking and job interviews.

Networking can be tough, so having a handle on how you communicate will help you adapt your networking strategy, while potential employers usually ask job seekers to describe themselves during job interviews.

Don't Let Your Communication Style Hold You Back At Work


There are so many reasons to understand your communication style. In fact, if you don't take the time to learn the pros and cons of your communication style, you could seriously hurt your career.

If you feel out of place at work or constantly get passed over for promotions, your communication style could be to blame.

We want to help. You deserve to know this information about yourself so you can unleash your career potential and get what you want from work.

So, take our FREE Communication Style Quiz today. Your career will thank you.

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What’s Your Workplace Communication Style?

4 Phrases Your Boss LOVES To Hear



If you want to put yourself in a position to build a strong professional relationship with your boss, while growing your career and managing up, you have to prove yourself as a reliable employee. Taking the right kind of initiative can go a long way toward strengthening your relationship with your boss.

It's important to keep in mind that managers are not only responsible for your role and responsibilities and to a degree your career; they're also responsible for their duties as well.

If you really want to prove yourself to your boss, think of ways to work these four phrases into your work vocabulary:

"Here's A Potential Solution"


A boss listens while his employee shares an idea with him during a work meeting

Bosses hear A LOT of problems. And more often than not, they are expected to come up with a solution. The thing is, if it isn't their problem, they are not going to actively seek out solutions. Therefore, when you come to the boss with a problem, immediately follow it up with a proposed solution.

This accomplishes two things. First, it shows your manager that you are solution-oriented. You took the time to examine the problem and think about ways to address it. Second, your solutions are essentially saving the boss time and energy and those are both gifts to your manager. This approach is a huge win for you and the boss.

"Here's An Idea"


Two co-workers go over some ideas with their boss during a meeting

You should be a student of your company. You should be very familiar with the company's goals, mission, and vision. You should also have a very good understanding of the company's challenges. When you know these challenges, you should spend some time each week working on ideas to solve those challenges that the company faces.

When you go to your manager to say you have an idea that will positively impact the company's bottom line, everyone wins. Bosses should love to hear ideas on how to make things more efficient and profitable. Look for these ideas whenever you have downtime at work.

"Let Me Show You"


An employee graphs out an idea in front of his boss during a work meeting

On time-strapped days, it is so much easier to show someone something than it is to tell them. When pitching something to a boss or sharing an idea or even solving a problem, show him/her what you are talking about. Sketch it out, give them a flow chart, or show them anything visual and talk them through it. If you can, make a quick prototype. It is so much easier than using just your words when the chances are good that the boss is distracted.

Think about it. When you show people what you are saying, you have captured two of their senses: hearing and seeing. If you give them something to hold—even better (three senses). This gets their attention and allows them to truly evaluate what you are trying to do for the boss or the company.

Always try to show people what you are talking about. It allows them to react to your idea in a more connected way.

"I Could Use A Little Mentoring"


Bosses are not solely responsible for your career. This is your responsibility.

If you need new challenges or want new opportunities, it is up to you to scope those out and present them to your boss. If you don't know how to do something or think that you could develop your skills even further, it is up to you to ask for mentorship.

As the protégé, you must take an active role in carving out time for the relationship. When you seek mentorship from your boss, know that it may not be the boss who becomes your mentor. Your boss may not even be the right mentor. However, they can be the one who facilitates an introduction. When you ask for this type of guidance, your boss knows that you own your experience and will work to support you.

Building a solid relationship with your boss is the key to getting where you want to go in your career. These relationships will follow you throughout your career. These bosses will likely one day be the person you call on to be a reference. And when it comes time to be a reference for you, you want them to say that you were solution-oriented, respectful of their time, and full of an entrepreneurial spirit.

Need more help navigating workplace relationships?

Join our community to learn how to UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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4 Phrases Your Boss LOVES To Hear

3 Tips On How To Answer “Why Are You Leaving Your Job?”



A prepared job seeker will have thought about the questions that will be asked in their job interview. One of them may be: "Why are you leaving your job?" As you think about a response to this question, also consider how the interviewer may interpret that response.

It's important to take caution with how you answer questions in a job interview because when they're not framed properly, they can be interpreted negatively and cost you the job opportunity.

There can be many reasons why you want to leave your job. For example:

  • You hate your boss
  • You're bored at work
  • You want more money
  • You want more challenges
  • You don't want to work in this particular field or industry
  • Or an assortment of other reasons

Whatever your reason is, it's not always appropriate to tell it like it is to the potential employer. Think of a response that will impress the employer that still comes off as an honest reason.

Here are some tips to help:

Give A Positive Response To The Question


Communication in a job interview should always come off as positive. To start, you may talk about the great opportunities you've been given and how much you've learned through your current employer before giving your reason for leaving your job. Employers like to hear things like this because you come off as professional and respectful of your existing employer even though you have made the decision to move on.

Regardless of your true feelings about the situation at work, never bad mouth the company or your co-workers.

Don't Dwell On What Your Current Employer Isn't Offering You


Man answers a question during a job interview

There may be multiple reasons why you want to leave your current job, but you don't need to include information about what you're not being offered. The reason for this is that potential employers can interpret it as an action you may take against them if hired.

For example, instead of saying, "I don't feel challenged at work anymore," reframe the message to say, "I'm looking for new challenges in the area of X, Y, and Z, which I can see this job offers," and then go into the experience and skills you have to offer to further impress the interviewer. Reframing your response this way makes it less likely that the employer will take the information and interpret it negatively.

Focus On The Future


Man answers a question during a job interview

Talk about what you're heading towards—what you want to experience and achieve to continue growing professionally. It works best when you can also tie in how the potential employer could offer that to you. When you answer in this manner, it informs the employer that you are an individual who seeks self-improvement and that you have a real interest in the company because of what they specifically offer. It tells the employer you are someone with great potential for hire who will be dedicated to employment with them for a reasonable amount of time.

"Why are you leaving your job?" is only one out of many questions you will be asked in a job interview. Knowing how to respond positively and framing it in a way that informs the employer why you're a great fit ensures you stay in the running for the job and helps move you on to the next stage of the interview process.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Tips On How To Answer “Why …

How To Ensure Effective Communication



What is the most important thing about verbal communication? Actually communicating! Most people associate the two components of verbal communication with talking and listening. Successful verbal communication is when both parties have the opportunity to speak and exchange information.

Some of the important verbal communication skills are the same as written communication skills (and you can check out my written communications article).

Some of the key verbal communication skills are:

  1. Know your audience including the level of formality as well as cultural differences (board of directors v. potential customer v. your BFF)
  2. Be succinct and try not to ramble but have deliberate pauses
  3. Be aware of your tone (not monotone), cadence of speech, etc.
  4. Be careful using complicated words, slang, and technical jargon

When actively listening—which is more than just hearing:

  1. Maintain eye contact, but don’t stare or purposely avoid eye contact
  2. Don’t interrupt; let the other person finish their thought
  3. Comprehend and retain what is being said
  4. Pay attention to what they’re saying, ask questions when they pause, and respond/provide feedback (if appropriate)
  5. There is a saying that we have “two ears and one mouth” so we should spend more time listening than talking

But there is more than just talking and active listening. There is a third component: nonverbal communication.

What To Know About Nonverbal Communication


Communication pie chart

​Did you know that nonverbal communication (such as facial expressions, body language, posture, dress, etc.) accounts for ~93% of the conversation? Yes, that means only ~7% of the communication is the actual message.

If your conversation is virtual (even more so than in person) then you’ll need to pay extra attention to the nonverbal cues. Is the other person constantly looking away, having their arms crossed, or fidgeting in their seat? If so, you may need to stop and ask if they have any questions or even change the cadence of your speaking.

Despite being cognizant of the above, many individuals are simply uncomfortable speaking in front of people. If you avoid public speaking at all costs, the good news is that there are many resources to help overcome these fears and build confidence. A few ideas include practicing speaking (in front of a mirror), reading public speaking books, and joining a Toastmasters club.

Communicating In The Office


communication concept

At the office, employees expect transparent communication. This includes taking the time to check in with them as well as being available when individuals want to talk with you. I’ve never heard anyone complain that there was too much communication.

When having team meetings, ensure that everyone has the opportunity to speak and be heard. Team members need to be authentic and feel safe expressing their opinion to the group. If you’re having a brainstorming session, the team should encourage diverse ideas and perspectives which will lead to a more innovative discussion and solution.

For more information on the importance of verbal (and nonverbal) communication skills, follow me on LinkedIn!

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How To Ensure Effective Communication

Executive Spotlight: The Hottest (And Most Valuable) Skill Set In Your Industry Right Now



If you want to stay relevant in your industry, you need to constantly think about the value you provide as a business-of-one. Do you have the expertise required to do your job, and do it well—better than almost everyone else? You also need to make sure you're developing your skills so you don't fall behind and get pushed out by someone more qualified. But what skills are the most valuable (and in demand)?

We recently asked our leading executives what the hottest skill set in their industry is right now, so you can get a competitive advantage.

Here are their responses...

Percy Leon, Digital Media Content Executive


content creation concept

The hottest skill set right now in my industry is professional content creation. This is because employers are increasingly looking for people who can produce high-quality content that is engaging and informative.

Content creators who can consistently produce great work are in high demand, as they can help companies to reach a wider audience and build a strong online presence.

Additionally, professional content creators often have a deep understanding of their industry and are up to date on the latest trends. This makes them valuable assets to any company, as they can provide insights that other employees may not be aware of.

For content creators, the ability to produce great work is often accompanied by a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. This is because they can use their skills to make a positive impact on the world. Additionally, many content creators feel a deep sense of connection to their audience and enjoy being able to connect with people from all over the globe.

Finally, content creation often allows creators to work from home, which gives them more flexibility and freedom when it comes to scheduling and family life. For all these reasons, professional content creation is a highly sought-after skill set in today's job market.

Percy Leon is a digital media content producer specializing in educational technology and entertainment. He is interested in web3, metaverse, and the use of virtual reality for storytelling.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive


Marketing professional makes a presentation at work

If you’ve been in marketing for a while, you know that marketers constantly reinvent themselves ensuring they are in demand. Here are three marketing skills that are in demand right now:

Digital Marketing: Half of the top 10 jobs posted on LinkedIn are in the digital space. The existence of digital marketing is focused on company growth which includes driving brand awareness, promoting products/services, creating customer leads, driving conversions, and ensuring ROI.

Analytical Thinking: It’s your ability to use logical reasoning, make informed decisions, and solve problems. Are you able to review the impact of your work, (i.e., is this campaign working?) and adjust accordingly? Can you find market trends and translate them into concise, actionable insights?

Strong Communication Skills: Successful marketing communication requires understanding your audience, communicating in a way that encourages meaningful conversations, and determining the optimal combination of platforms that drives engagement. If done right, your brand could see increased brand awareness, leads, and conversions.

Lisa Perry helps companies build leadership brands, driving loyal customers & delivering profitability. She does this through a process that builds brands consumers love. Her goal is to help companies develop, monetize, and grow their brands.

Sarita Kincaid, Tech Media Executive


Communications and business professionals look at data during a work meeting

The job market is getting more competitive for corporate communications professionals, so what one skill will make candidates stand out from the field in 2022? It’s not the ability to pitch and place articles in the media, to drive awareness through social media, nor to create and drive successful brand preference campaigns—those skills are table stakes.

The most important differentiator making communications candidates stand out with employers is the ability to source, interpret, and act on findings from data. But, what does data have to do with public relations, analyst relations, and employee relations? Everything!

Savvy comms professionals are leveraging data generated from AI-enabled software to help determine sentiment analysis, utilize analytics to determine the likelihood of article and report placement, link outbound programs to ROI/revenue, test crisis comms language, and coach spokespersons.

Being able to demonstrate how you have leveraged data to drive quantifiable results and ROI/revenue, will make any communications professional stand out in a very competitive job market.

Sarita Kincaid is a tech media executive with a demonstrated ability to build and grow award-winning programs. She brings a data-driven approach to influencer relations with a focus on developing strong brand advocates and aligning them with sales programs.

What's the hottest skill set in your industry right now? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.

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Executive Spotlight: The Hottest (And Most Valuable) …