Career Development Archives - Page 5 of 8

January 29, 2018 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Exclusive Communication Skills at Work™ #3-Protecting Yourself When Others Push Your Hot Buttons

Hi there and thanks for joining me to read my latest blog post!

Check out the links below that I shared last week on the powerful ideas clients will learn from
Week One: The Importance of Be Direct with Respect® in the Work Place
Week Two: Use Constructive Feedback to Get Necessary Results.

As you may know, I have created a premier program called Communication Skills at Work™ that helps people “own their own career.”

This week I would like to give you a preview of the third chapter of this program: Protecting Yourself When Others Push Your Hot Buttons.

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 Protect Yourself when Others Push Your Hot Buttons.

Learner Objectives for Week Three

Master Verbal Aikido and understand the concepts behind it
Regularly practice empathy and put yourself in the other person’s shoes
Be accountable when things go wrong and avoid the need to explain or defend yourself
Take risks and be confident when speaking up
Learn how to respectfully say NO

What do you do when someone says something that pushes your button or is unkind?

Do you:

Defend yourself?
Become silent?
Think about the perfect response on the way home?
Say something you wished you hadn’t said?

Week Three will help you protect yourself and prepare your for the next time someone attacks you verbally.

Verbal Aikido is the Key

Verbal Aikido is like verbal martial arts. The winner pulls away and is the stronger one. Using Aikido helps you diplomatically deal with difficult people.

Here’s a classic story that illustrates this powerful strategy.
When Senator Robert Kennedy was selected to be Attorney General, he knew that the press was going to push him.

A journalist asked, “Senator Kennedy, what gives you the right to be Attorney General of the United States?” Senator Kennedy responded by saying, “That’s a great question. You have to go to a good school, know a lot of people and have a brother who’s President of the United States.”

The press pulled back and laughed. Robert Kennedy was prepared. The idea is not to push back the person by getting defensive. Take a deep breath and think about how to respond in a positive way. You will be in the driver’s seat!

Week Three consists of several activities to give you the ability to say NO so you can set boundaries for yourself. I receive a lot of positive feedback on this strategy.

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. Please feel free to send your questions or comments to me. I love hearing from you!

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

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

January 22, 2018 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

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

™™

https://youtu.be/cS7tjP3kS70

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!

December 19, 2017 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Warning: Use These 6 Tips to Gain Control at Your Own Risk

The Challenge: How to gain control when the demands on your time seem to never ease up. We’re all struggling to make time for ourselves, maintain friendships, and keep the spark in our love lives.

How can you determine what you need to be happier and more productive?

The Solution: Start with these 6 tips to achieve better balance in your life:

Tip One: Gain Control by Searching out a Flexible Employer

Job flexibility is the number one desired corporate benefit. If your company gives new meaning to the word rigid, you may need to look elsewhere – flexible employers do exist!

Pay attention to articles profiling companies that are particularly family-friendly or rated as the best place to work. These companies are a great place to start your job search.

Tip Two: Gain Control by Asking and You Shall Receive (Maybe)

If you want a more flexible work arrangement, whether it’s flex time, job sharing, or a shorter workweek, try asking for it – but make sure you’ve done your homework.

For example, if you’re a really productive person, highlight this strength to your manager. Show her you’re worthy of this special consideration. Be prepared to give your boss the details of the new arrangement so he knows you’ve thought it through.

Tip Three: Gain Control by Forming a Work-life Balance Committee

Form a group to survey coworkers to determine their needs. Gently inform your leaders that creating a flexible environment will be a benefit to the company because their employees will be happier, more creative, and loyal.

Tip Four: Gain Control by Scheduling ‘ME’ Time

If it’s important to you to do a thirty-minute workout three times a week, mark it with permanent marker on your calendar.

There will always be some ‘more important’ work projects that compete for your time, but you need to realize that your personal commitments are just as valuable. I enjoy looking at my health app at the end of the day to see how many steps I took.

Tip Five: Gain Control by Realizing a Temporary Lack of Balance is Acceptable

Sometimes, you may feel your life is out of balance. Sometimes it’s worth it, like when you go back to school or take the time to care for a child or parent.

If the benefit is bigger than the drawback, then accept it – because you have a new important, temporary priority. In time, you can shift back to a better balance with a new sense of accomplishment.

Tip Six: Gain Control by Recognizing the Signs of Burnout

When life remains out of balance for an extended period of time, you can suffer from burnout. Are you as tired when you wake up as you were when you went to bed? Do the little pleasures of life fail to satisfy you? Is your productivity waning?

Refresh yourself! It could be something as simple as taking a weekend vacation-or as major as changing careers. The first step is recognizing it, so you can put your life back in balance. Many of my coaching clients discover that their job is actually killing them from all the stress. They either have tough conversations with the boss or decide to look for another job. Burnout is an obvious sign to take seriously.

Gain Control by Reaping the Rewards of a Balanced Life Today!

Determine what your personal and professional needs are and decide if your workplace is meeting them. If it’s not a match, then review the six tips and make the necessary changes. When all the puzzle pieces of life fit together, you will be a better friend, parent, employee, and person.

Do you want more info on how to gain control in your life?

LEARN MORE how Joyce can transform your life and teach you work-life balance through her personal life coaching.

Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Life Coaching Strategies Knowledge Base https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/life-coaching-strategies/

Let us hear your thoughts!
Please send me your questions on how to improve your working condition.
Share an example on how you have gained control in your life.
I will send you a free personal growth e-workbook when you send me tips that you use.

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

Until next time,
This is Joyce Weiss
Corporate Communication Strategist and Career Coach
And Remember…YOU GET WHAT YOU TOLERATE!

June 18, 2017 By Joyce Weiss Leave a Comment

Shattering the Myth About Career and Executive Coaching

Do you think that Executive Coaching is for people who are

Troublemakers?
Reserved for the hardest cases?
Headed towards termination?

If so, this article will shed some light on the myths of Executive Coaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sqNxAKE7uY

The Reality of Executive Coaching

It’s a strong retention tool
It supports professional development
It helps grow leadership and employee engagement

Who are Good Candidates for Executive Coaching?

Leaders who need to learn how to stop micromanaging direct reports
Top performers who are ready for a promotion yet need to improve their communication skills with the executive staff
Employees who have excellent technical skills yet need to become more assertive at meetings
Workaholics who don’t know how to balance their home life and career
Anyone who want to receive a promotion

The Executive Coaching Process

Analyze the fit of client and coach
Understand the client’s challenges, strengths, and needs
Determine shared goals with the client and client’s supervisor
Check in with each other between sessions to ensure goals are reached
Discuss progress with the client’s supervisor
Schedule periodic check-ins to keep client on track and accountable

Let’s Get Real about Executive Coaching

My experience with Executive Coaching has been very rewarding because clients have worked very hard to achieve their goals either to develop their career or resolve conflict in their workplace.

The biggest mistake for new Executive Coaches is when they begin working with clients and have not decided if they are good coaching candidates. You heard me right. We need to interview clients to make sure they are ready for candid feedback and are willing to check in with the coach to show that they are accountable to make the necessary changes.

READ HERE to discover 3 important Executive Coaching Questions to Ask Yourself.
They are powerful and may help generate some positive change for your career growth.

I want to hear from you

Send me your questions or comments on your experience with Executive Coaching.

Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Career Coach Strategies Knowledge Base

This is Joyce Weiss, Communications Strategist and Executive Coach

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