Step One – Take things on when they’re small What in the past have you allowed to happen? Does any of this sound familiar? Your first response always seems to be ‘yes’ You need to be seen as helpful and want all your relationships to be friendly all of the time The knots in your… Read more
Giving Criticism Assertively
Assertiveness training – GIVING CRITICISM ASSERTIVELY GIVING CRITICISM BADLY INCREASES THE CHANCE of POOR PERFORMANCE CONTINUING Giving criticism about unsatisfactory aspects of performance can be one of the most difficult tasks you have to face. It can be difficult because many people equate performance of the job with their competence as a person. When done badly… Read more
Are you a Key Person?
Kxy Pxrson If you are anything like me you find typing a challenge and thank goodness for “spell check”. I never had a type writer with a “stuck” key but my typing often looks like I have more than ONE stuck key!! So for those who like a gentle amusing story and can resonate with… Read more
Being Human
BEING HUMAN I cam across this poem/story many years ago – I believe there are some thoughtful reflections about life and what it is to be human: You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it but it will be yours for this time around. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled… Read more
How many to change a light bulb?
We all know the answer to the spurious question: how many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb? We all know the answer is none: they have to want to change! Psychologists are not the only ones for whom this is true – it is so for all of us. As a manger… Read more
Self Preservation or Cherishing others?
Self Preservation or Cherishing others? There are many models of how assertiveness works. Until I began To grapple with the concept of win:win , I always found myself in something of a moral dilemma in balancing the concepts of assertion with the notion of caring for others. Indeed, often the common image of assertion is… Read more
Touching the Dragon’s Tail
Touching the Dragons Tail When the great library of Alexandria burned, the story goes, one book was saved. But it was not a valuable book; and so a poor man, who could read a little, bought it for a few coppers. The book wasn’t very interesting, but between its pages there was something very interesting… Read more
Difficult Conversations
Difficult Conversations Difficult conversations can be tough for all of us – in fact difficult situations are tough. Period. Some of us spend our lives from facing up to them, preferring to walk on by, not get upset and then face the consequences. Others charge at the difficult conversations like a bull in a china… Read more
A Case for Rapport
A Case for Rapport When communicating it is absolutely necessary before you do anything else to establish rapport. Rapport is the same as the foundation of a house – without it everything will collapse. ASSUMPTIONS : Each person is an individual. There are no two people alike. No two people understand the… Read more
Respect At Work
7 Tips for Gaining Respect We may have all come on different ships but we’re in the same boats now. – Martin Luther King Jnr. These tips apply to anyone at work whether they are in a position of authority or not. 1. Have a clear sense of purpose of who you are and how… Read more