Joyce Weiss, Author at Joyce Weiss

January 22, 2018 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Exclusive Communication Skills at Work #2-Use Constructive Feedback to Get Necessary Results

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Hi there and thanks for joining me to read my latest blog post about Communication Skills at Work™!

Last time, I shared some of the powerful ideas from Week One: “The Importance of Be Direct with Respect® in the Work Place.” As you hopefully know, I have created a premier program called Communication Skills at Work that is designed for anyone on the corporate ladder and addresses issues as peer bullying, standing up to upper management, career advancement and conflict resolution.

This week I’ll give you a preview of the second chapter of the program: Use Constructive Feedback to Get Necessary Results.

In addition to the program manual and self-study guide, I offer full phone coaching depending on your budget and time frame. Read more here for all the details.

Now, let’s dive in and talk about why it’s so important to Use Constructive Feedback to Get Necessary Results and how it can help you move ahead.

Learner Objectives to Use Feedback for Necessary Results

Learn to comfortably provide constructive feedback to peers or to those you manage
Thoughtfully accept constructive feedback and suspend defensive reaction even when it’s not delivered in the way you would prefer to receive it
Speak up when an issue is important to you
Take responsibility for your own behavior

Constructive Feedback Consists of the Following:

Is stated in specific terms instead of vague, general ones
Is directed at behavior – rather than personalities
Is an observation of events, rather than labels or emotional judgment
Focuses on a coaching style instead of put-downs

Here’s an example to help you understand the language of constructive feedback:
“What specifically did I do that made you feel picked on? Let’s talk about how this happened and look at ways to deal with it.”

What to Do When Others Get Defensive?

It doesn’t help to tell others not to be defensive, but rather accept people’s defensiveness.
And after hearing the defensive communication, bring the discussion back to the issue. For example:

Sue: “When will the project I gave you be finished?”
Ed: “I’ve been too busy to get it done when I said I would.”
Sue: “I realize you’ve been busy. I need to have that project completed by Tuesday. What help do you need to make that deadline?”

The Power Talk Formula – Be Direct with Respect®

Be Direct with Respect is a learned skill, a willingness to risk rejection by communicating directly, yet gently. It deepens relationships and resolves issues. Clients adhere to this particular strategy immediately because it’s easy to use and they get excellent results – especially during tough conversations.

The power talk formula is:

I am ____________________________________ (your emotional response)
When I _________________________________(non-judgmental)
Because________________________________(how it affects you)

For example: “I am frustrated when I call and no one gets back to me because my department is counting on me to finish this project on time.”

People who take the course use their own case scenarios and we practice together until they feel confident to use this valuable strategy on their own. I am here 24/7 via email. This coach is dedicated to each client’s success! 😊

Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog. I love receiving questions and comments, so please don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment!

And again, if Communication Skills at Work sounds like something that could help you or your company, check out this link for more information or contact me here.

Until next time,
Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach

Reducing conflict is like riding a bike: Shift gears to successfully navigate life’s potholes, ruts, and obstacles.

January 15, 2018 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Exclusive Communication Skills at Work™ #1-The Importance of Be Direct with Respect® in the Work Place

https://youtu.be/5ZsTQChiyR8

Hi there and thanks for joining me to read my latest blog post about Communication Skills at Work™!

As a Corporate Communication Strategist & Career Coach, I work with individual business professionals at every level on the corporate ladder, as well as teams to quickly and effectively identify barriers that hinder success for themselves and the company.

I’m excited to share the launch of my new premier program called Communication Skills at Work that brings together 30+ years of my experience to help people “own their career.”

This week I would like to give you a preview of the first chapter of this program: The Importance of Be Direct with Respect® in the Work Place.

In addition to the program manual and self-study guide, I offer full phone executive and career coaching depending on your budget and time frame. Click here for all the details.

Now, let’s dive in and talk about why it’s so important to Be Direct with Respect® in the Work Place and how it can help you move ahead and help your team run like a well-oiled machine.

Learner Objectives for Be Direct with Respect®

Clearly, articulate respect and self-respect in your own words and explain what it means to you
Learn how to minimize interruptions so you can focus on priority tasks by being direct with respect
Respectfully question the goals of a project without sounding combative
Gracefully give and receive feedback

Basic Ideas of Be Direct with Respect®

By standing up for our rights, we show we respect ourselves and gain respect from other people.
By trying to govern our lives to avoid hurting anyone, we end up hurting ourselves and others.
Not letting others know how we feel, and what we think, is a form of selfishness.
Sacrificing our rights results in allowing others to mistreat us.
When we use Be Direct with Respect, everyone involved benefits in the transaction.

Through deep questioning, case scenarios, specific concerns faced at work, and role play I work with my clients to realize breakthrough moments that immediately impact the success of the individual, the team, and the company as a whole.

Participants who take the course use their own case scenarios and we practice together until they feel confident to use the valuable strategies on their own. I’m here 24/7 via email. This coach is dedicated to each client’s success! 🙂

Thanks again for taking the time to read my blog. I love receiving questions and comments, so please don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment!

Until next time,
Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach

And again, if Communication Skills at Work™ sounds like something that could help you or your company, check out this link for more information or contact me here.

Career Advancement is like riding a bike: Shift gears from coasting to owning the road!

January 9, 2018 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

A New Tool to Enhance Your Communication Skills and Relationships

Do you wonder about your communication skills after certain conversations?
Have you dealt with people who win every argument with you?
Do you wonder why this happens?
Would you like to know how to stop this destructive communication?

This article will cover all four questions. My coaching clients have shared with me their frustration with bullies and other difficult people who know how to manipulate the conversations. By now you know that my skill set is all about resolving conflict either at work or home.

Communication Skills Strategy #1: Don’t Let the Difficult Person Control You

We need to trust ourselves when we are around difficult people. We need to give ourselves internal pep talks such as – “I’m ok” and “I’m in control.” This may sound simple; however, difficult people know how to make others feel insecure by their bullying behavior. Remember, it’s all about THEIR behavior and not yours.

Communication Skills Strategy #2: Understand the Difficult Person’s Behavior

It’s usually about the insecurity of the bully or difficult person. They win every argument because they know how to manipulate others. Most people don’t confront the difficult person because they are afraid that things could escalate. Go to the search bar and look for my previous articles to learn more about bullies.

Communication Skills Strategy #3: Know the Behavioral styles of the Difficult Person

The DISC Profile is a solid and tested assessment to help you understand your behavior and the behavior of others.
It’s full of strategies to help improve your communication skills and relationships.

Here are four behavioral styles:
Dominance: Direct, tough-minded, forceful
Influence: Outgoing, enthusiastic, optimistic
Conscientiousness: Analytical, reserved, private
Steadiness: Even-tempered, accommodating, tactful

Each of these four behavioral styles consists of strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to know your style in order to use your communication skills in the best way.

Let me know if you are interested in finding out about your behavioral style.

Communication Skills Strategy #4: Learn How to Stop Others From Controlling You

Inscape Publishing has introduced a new and powerful tool – DISC® Productive Conflict Assessment. It explores both your constructive and destructive communication skills and behaviors. Once you discover this information about yourself, you are on your way to stop others from winning or controlling your conversations.

You will learn how to step back and challenge your actions. This new assessment tool is exciting and the results are impressive!

To learn more, read a popular article HERE: Resolving Conflict in the Workplace-My Favorite Articles and Strategies.

Please call me to receive your own copy of the DISC® Productive Conflict Assessment. I am offering a VIP coaching rate if you want to go deeper and discover how you will gain more control, experience less stress, and understand yourself and others to gain the respect that you deserve!

Think about a conflict situation that you experienced and wish you handled better then give me a call. You and I can discuss this in our coaching session. You can reach me at 800.713.1926 or send me an email HERE.

Let’s Get Real

Conflict is inevitable at work or home. The solution is to know the best way to use your communication skills with difficult people or situations. There is usually an easy approach – I know first hand that this strategy works. Hey, I live my life this way. My experience helps me help my clients improve their home and working conditions.

I hope that this article gives you useful ideas on how to transform your uncomfortable encounters into stronger relationships.

Want to learn more about the assessment or VIP coaching session? Call me at 800.713.1926 or send me an email.

Until next time,

Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach

Remember, You Get What You Tolerate!

PS. Everything DiSC^® Productive Conflict generates a personalized 22-page report providing insights into how individuals respond to conflict situations. This report is designed to be used with all employees in any type of organization or company. No previous experience with DiSC is necessary.

View Sample Profile

January 2, 2018 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

2 Motivational Ideas to Renew Your Vigor and Energy

This is a great time of the year to use motivational ideas to renew your vigor and energy! Make sure to take some time to reflect on what is and what is not working in your professional or personal life. Hopefully, the 2 motivational ideas below will help you get you started!

Motivational Ideas #1 to Renew Your Vigor and Energy

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe-German poet, scientist, and statesman said, “We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise, we harden.”

I’m sure that you know people who are bored, depressed or stuck in a rut. A good indication is when you ask someone how they are doing and in a dull voice, they say, “Oh you know, the same old life.” Make sure that this isn’t you, and if it is, decide what you need to do immediately to change this mindset! It can be as easy as reading an uplifting book or going to the movies to enjoy your favorite actor’s talent.

Movement is my middle name. I recently purchased a desk where I can sit or stand. It has made a difference in how I feel. As many of you know, bike riding is one of my favorite things to do during all the MI seasons except the winter. There is a great tool that makes my bike stationary and I can ride during the winter in the basement. Movement is something that most of my coaching clients hear me discuss because the benefits are impressive.

Here’s my first question for you:

What have you done or need to do to change, renew, and rejuvenate yourself?

Motivational Ideas #2 to Renew Your Vigor and Energy

I recently saw an ad on TV and wrote it down immediately. “Five o’clock meetings come and go. First home runs last forever.”

My son told me years ago, “Mom, we make time for the things we really want to do.” This hit home when I was going in circles during a busy time in my career. I told him how frustrated I was that I couldn’t do all the things that I wanted to do or spend time with my friends. His strong message was timely. I thought about the things that were important to me and at that moment made some changes. I was blinded by my busy schedule and didn’t see that I had choices on how I could spend my precious hours during that busy part of my life. Setting boundaries is a message that I now share with all of my clients.

Here’s my 2nd question for you:

What is a personal boundary that you need to set for yourself to make sure that you make time to do the things that you want to do?

Let’s Get Real About These 2 Motivational Ideas!

I realize that these 2 ideas are obvious and very basic. I also know that at times we need to return to the basics to make changes in our life. Take some time to reflect and ask yourself the 2 questions.

1. What have you done or need to do to change, renew, and rejuvenate yourself?

2. What is a personal boundary that you need to set for yourself to make sure that you make time to do the things that you want to do?

I want to hear from you

Send me your questions or comments on how these motivational ideas “speak” to you. You will receive a response from me because I enjoy connecting with my loyal readers! 🙂

Please share this and any article that you enjoy.

My advocates like you help us find more people who could benefit from these posts. Help us help them reduce conflict and improve leadership skills and quality of life.

This is Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach

P.S. Do you want to discover how our services can help you improve your quality of life?
Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Executive Coaching Strategies Knowledge Base https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/executive-coaching-strategies/

Until next time, Remember…“You Get What You Tolerate!”

December 26, 2017 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

My Favorite Quote by Jazz Musician, Miles Davis

#favoritequote
#favoritequotes
#MilesDavis
#motivationalquote

Share if you agree.

It took me 30 years to become an overnight success. I figured out that facilitating HR-related topics including workplace bullying, handling difficult conversations, and offering career advancement coaching are all topics that are part of my DNA! 🙂

I am more focused than ever before and it’s easier for clients to relate to my message.

Please let me know how you relate to this important quote by Miles Davis.
You can send me an email or respond to the comment section.

Until Next Time,
Joyce Weiss, Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach