Workplace bullying and microaggressions are serious issues that can significantly impact employees’ well-being and productivity. Bullying involves repeated, harmful mistreatment of individuals, characterized by threatening, humiliating, or intimidating behavior, work interference or sabotage, and verbal abuse. Addressing these behaviors is essential for creating a healthy, respectful, and inclusive work environment. Today we are going to … Read On >
During an Improving Communications workshop, I asked a question that immediately had hands flying up from participants in the room: “How many of you have ever wanted to be more assertive in the workplace but didn’t know how?” It became very clear that assertiveness is a skill many people want to master. Before anything else … Read On >
At Improving Communications, we ask professional musicians to tell us about their “money maker;” their ability to listen and interact well with others. We ask these gifted artists to teach us more about listening so that in business, we can use similar practices to be more successful. Below is what Jordan Rudess had to say … Read On >
What is proper Business Phone Behavior? Have you ever made a phone call to a business and gotten the answer, “So-and-so isn’t here right now. Can you call back in 15 minutes?” Do you find anything wrong with that? In a tennis game, when a player hits the ball, the second player hits it … Read On >
Well lookie here… the Earth has revolved around the Sun once again! Three hundred sixty-five days have elapsed (or as the cast in the musical Rent would sing, “525,600 Minutes”). A year is a good marker for progress made. Once it’s completed, it all starts again. Happy New Year. Two thousand seventeen has been Improving Communications’ best year yet. We owe … Read On >
NOTE: As you read, apply Rod Morgenstein’s message of listening to your profession by substituting the discussion of “music” with “work,” and terms related to “musician” with “colleague.” Listening is the practice of being in the moment, in touch with my surroundings, and fully aware that I am part of a creative process that involves … Read On >
It’s impressive when you encounter someone who turns dreams into reality. This week, we shine the spotlight on someone whose mind was sparked with an idea that was brought to fruition last year. Filmmaker Erin Bagwell did just that, and she’s got an inspirational story. After having founded a storytelling blog called Feminist Wednesday, she … Read On >
Hiring a tech writer or copy writer? Have you thought to consider that an English degree would come in handy? There is a readwrite article by Matt Asay, vice president of business development and corporate strategy at MongoDB, Inc. In his article, the author makes a strong case for why we need good writers on staff in all our business ventures. It’s well … Read On >
Praise is an extremely powerful motivator. When praised, people feel good about themselves. Subsequently, they perform better. Don’t underestimate the power of praise. THINK ABOUT IT Why do we rarely praise others? What does criticizing another person do in the short-term? In the long-term? Does criticism motivate others? Tell about some of the keepsakes of … Read On >