Joyce Weiss

I work with organizations and individuals who want to kick conflict and chaos to the curb - Queen of Conflict Resolution and Communication Coach

By Leave a Comment

Strategic Communications: The Truth About Delegation

Are you a manager who wants to empower your employees and learn strategic communications?
Are you experiencing more pressure from your boss while attempting to manage your entire department?
Great!  This article will provide you with strategies to use to reduce YOUR stress at work and empower your employees at the same time.

Delegation Challenges

Delegation won’t work if your employees don’t trust you and if they don’t have the right skills.  This is a perfect time for you to coach certain team members who have the potential to help them grow professionally.  It may be a good time to have a realistic conversation about your expectations.  Make sure and share specific details on what will happen if the employee doesn’t improve by a certain time.  The rest of the article will help you encourage your skilled employees to grow which will improve the trust.

Strategic Communications Tip #1:  Delegation has Clear Options

Check out the list below.  Start with the top of the list – when you don’t trust an employee, and work to the bottom of the list – when you have total trust in an employee.  Once people learn responsibility, you can confidently stop micromanaging!

  1. Look into this problem.  Give me all the facts.  I will decide what to do.

      2.  Let me know the available alternatives.

      3.  Recommend a course of action for my approval.

      4.  Let me know what you intend to do.  Do it unless I say not to.

      5.  Take action.  Let me know what you did.  Let me know how it turns out.

      6.  Take action.  Communicate with me only if your action is unsuccessful.

      7.  Take action.  No further communication with me is necessary.

Strategic Communications #2:  Advantages of Delegation

You don’t need to do everything yourself.  When you’re able to delegate well, you’ll experience that delegation helps:

  • Save time
  • Build stronger staff
  • Motivate employees
  • Build mutual trust
  • Improve quality of work
  • Help overworked managers

Strategic Communications From Joyce

If you are a manager who recognizes that you are not doing the greatest job in the delegation area, believe me, you are NOT alone!  My executive coaching practice has shown me that many great leaders never learned how to coach others and develop their team.  This is a skill that must be taught and experienced.  Cicero wrote, “Where there is life, there is hope!”  🙂

I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to send me your questions on how to stop micromanaging and start delegating.
What tips have you learned on coaching your team and building trust? 

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach

I look forward to helping my loyal readers any way that I can.  Post questions or write me a private email at Joyce@JoyceWeiss.com

Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on line professional growth coaching.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

See YOU Next Week.

PS  CLICK HERE if you want more information on coaching your team.  “Coaching Others to Take Ownership” is another one of my articles that shares several leadership strategies. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about how Joyce can help your company create team synergy through team building consulting.

Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Team Building Strategies Knowledge Base https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/team-building-strategies/

By Leave a Comment

Strategic Communications: Disarm Tough Conversations

Have you been involved in difficult conversations when you wished you had strategic communications skills in your tool box?

Do you want to stop making others feel defensive while giving them constructive feedback? 

If so, Great!  This article will give you 5 strategies to use the next time you are in these complex situations. We’ve all dealt with people who become defensive.  How you react can influence your future relationship with this person.

Strategic Communications #1- Understand Your Role

  1. When someone responds defensively to you, ask yourself,“What did I just do to cause that defensive reaction?”
  1. Whenever someone says or does something that causes you to become defensive, ask yourself, “What did that person do to cause that reaction from me?”

Strategic Communications #2 – Use Constructive Feedback Wisely

Constructive feedback is a gift that you give to people you truly care about.  This statement is hard for some people to grasp.  Think about a time when someone gave you feedback in a constructive way.  What did you learn from this experience?  Use that knowledge to help your coworkers.  

Strategic Communications # 3 – Disarm Toxic Comments

The next time you’re confronted with a toxic comment, be prepared!  Pretend you’re in their situation. Figure out why they are behaving this way.  This helps us respond, not react.  Ask yourself, “How would I feel if I were in their shoes?”  We can’t put our head on their shoulders.

Strategic Communications #4 – Know How to React

If the toxic comment were delivered as constructive criticism, would there be any truth to it?  If so, how will you react?

  • Don’t explain or defend yourself when something goes wrong.
  • Acknowledge, apologize and act – versus explain.  Explanations come across as excuses. 
  • Agree if what they say is somewhat true. 
  • Don’t blame it on someone else, even when you know who made the mistake.

Strategic Communications # 5 – Know What NOT to Do

When people give feedback, they do it to influence future behavior – not to change the past.  Though it may be difficult to hear, try to listen and:

  1. Don’t defend yourself
  2. Don’t deny responsibility
  3. Don’t counter attack
  4. Don’t withdraw

I want to hear from you!

CLICK HERE to send me your questions about your communication issues at work. How do you react when someone pushes you?  What have your learned about yourself when you have pushed others?  Understanding these reactions will improve your communication skills and take you to the next level in your career development.

CLICK HERE if you want more ideas on how to improve your career and working condition by signing up for Tips2BeHappy.com.  You will receive weekly strategies to put to use immediately.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach

I share powerful techniques on tackling tough conversations to build employee engagement, accountability, and improve my client’s quality of life.

Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on line professional growth coaching.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

See YOU Next Week.

By Leave a Comment

Asking for a Raise to Improve Your Professional Development

Professional Development is a topic that I cover in all of my projects. Have you wanted to ask for a raise yet you told yourself that it was not a good time speak to your boss?  If so, this article will show you how to feel more confident and improve your professional development.   I always use the expression, “You Get What You Tolerate!”  This is a perfect time to use these 5 words again.  Instead of wondering if you “should” have that tough conversation, remind yourself of all the great things that you bring to the company.  If you don’t toot your own horn, who will?

A Great Resource to Support Your Professional Development

My friend and colleague, Linda Swindling writes a very impressive blog on employment issues. Linda was very gracious to grant me permission to share her articles with you.

A recognized authority on negotiations, workplace issues and strategic communication, Linda Swindling, JD, CSP is an author, a “recovering” employment attorney, and a Certified Speaking Professional. To book Linda to speak at your event contact Zan Jones by email or phone at (214) 536-6666.

5 Professional Development Strategies to Ask for A Raise

  1. Be prepared to hear “no.” Sometimes bosses need to percolate on a new idea, like a raise. You have been thinking about asking for several months but your request is brand new information to them.

  2. Know your strategy if you are turned down. For instance, you might say, “I appreciate your point of view or the financial state of the company right now. What do I need to do to earn consideration for a raise or promotion in the future?” Then, work on any areas identified and show your progress. 

  3. Assess what you bring to the organization. Showing up and doing your job is expected. Evaluate how you add to the organization’s bottom line, improve processes or reduce cost. Reminder: Don’t be a jerk. Make sure you aren’t seen as a negative presence. Your boss knows that complainers and whiners cost the company time and money.

  4. Look forward. Help your boss see the value you can add in the future. You already were paid for the work you did in the past. Focus on solutions you can bring in the upcoming year. Remember to give supporting information to help your  boss “sell” or justify increasing your pay to his or her boss, human resources and other leaders.

  5. ASK. Be prepared, take a deep breath and ASK. Don’t stop yourself because you think you might be turned down or you don’t have the perfect words. Your boss may think you’re content with the money you’re making. You have to let him or her know you want more compensation and you are willing to work for the increase.  

Linda also wrote, “One critical point is often ignored: We are responsible for our own careers. No one has the vested interest you have in your work, family and financial career – no one.”

I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to send me your questions about asking for a raise.  What is your experience on what worked and didn’t work?

Interested in More Resources to Watch Your Career Grow?
CLICK HERE to check out my new Premier on line Coaching Program – Communicate with Impact. Participants work with me on their own professional development.  We have a phone laser session before and after the course to set goals for your own success.  Our time together is customized to your needs.

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach

I share powerful techniques on tackling tough conversations to build employee engagement, accountability, and improve my client’s quality of life.

Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on line professional growth coaching.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

See YOU Next Week.

P.S. Check out Linda Swindling’s website for more resources about negotiation.

By Leave a Comment

How to Deal with a Workplace Bully: Video Interview with Terry Brock CSP, CPAE

Are you a leader or employee who works with a workplace bully?  Do you want to learn easy ways to deal with this person?  Great! This article will provide 3 techniques that you can use immediately to resolve conflict in the workplace.

Workplace Bullies Create Stress for ALL of Us

This bully could be your colleague or boss.  
The bully can also exhibit traits of narcissists which causes MANY communication and relationship issues.  
The narcissist can exist at home or work and suffer from the “I” syndrome.  
They are the drama kings or queens  who feel the world exists just for their needs.

Video Interview with International Hall of Fame Social Media Marketing Speaker – Terry Brock

My colleague and friend Terry Brock interviewed me on how to deal with these difficult people.  Terry is a syndicated columnist with business journals and author of Klout Matters.  He brings a passion for technology, a sense of history and real world business strategies.  You can reach him at 407.363.0505 and Terry@TerryBrock.com.  Enjoy the video and start thinking about who creates stress for you at work or home.  It could be a workplace bully.

How to Deal with Workplace Bullies and Narcissists

Set boundaries with bullies and narcissists.
People fear workplace bullies.  No one may have tried to stop these harmful behaviors.
Believe me when I say that they impede on your time and self-respect!

What if the Workplace Bully is Your Boss?

I suggest that you wait until the next day to have the tough conversation so you can create a results oriented discussion.  You can always start with one of my favorite expressions:  “I was caught off guard”
along with “I don’t want” and “I do want.”
“I was caught off guard when we spoke yesterday.  I don’t want to cause stress.  I do want to have an important discussion to improve communication in our department.”  If your boss is listening to you, this could be a great way to continue the conversation.  If your boss has numerous bullying behaviors it may be hard to obtain the results that you want.

Step into the GAP to Gain Control

The GAP technique is helpful to use when you don’t have the luxury to wait until the next day. 
Step back from the conversation and ask yourself how you want to respond.  You can ignore the comment from the workplace bully, ask a question, or even ask the bully what suggestions he or she has to move forward to resolve the conflict since this is very important to the morale at work.

Want to Learn More?
Remember that I recently launched Communicate with Impact.  This premier program helps people gain control of difficult people and improves the working condition. Sound Good?  CLICK HERE to see how others have improved their working condition.

I Want to Hear From You
How have you dealt with a workplace bully? Was this bully your boss?  If so how did you resolve this issue without being fired?  CLICK HERE to share your experience.

Until Next Time,
This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach

Feel free to call me at 800.713.1926 concerning your own team, executive retreats or leadership development.

Remember…You Get What You Tolerate!

See you next week.

CLICK HERE to learn how Joyce can help your company eliminate workplace bullying

READ more articles and listen to podcasts at our bullying in the workplace knowledge base https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/bullying-in-the-workplace/

 

 

By Leave a Comment

Strategic Communication to Get Noticed More in the Workplace

Do you know how to use strategic communication with your leadership?
Do you want to learn and use a new strategy to feel heard at work?

Great!  This article will provide 2 simple techniques you can use to speak to leadership.

I recently spoke to leaders at a financial conference.  There were both emerging and experienced leaders in the audience.  We discussed how to deal with bullies in the workplace and how to resolve numerous tough situations.  I will be using more of their ideas in future articles

Strategic Communication #1:  Make The Conversation Safe

Here’s a strategy to use when you want to have a tough conversation with leaders.  If you work for a bully, you will have to rethink your approach!  This scenario came up when an emerging leader was not included in certain social gatherings and meetings.
Start out by filling in the blanks:
I don’t want:
I do want: 
For example:  “I don’t want to be disrespectful.  I do want to understand your reasoning for certain decisions.”

This will start the conversation going by asking to be kept in the loop if that’s possible.

Strategic Communication #2:  Use the Power Formula

Fill in the blanks below
I am:
when:
because:

For example:  “I am frustrated when I don’t feel “heard” because I would like to have a seat at the table and work as a productive team member.”

This strategic communication may get the attention of your leaders that you are actively interested in being part of the team and want to be included in the decision-making process.  You need to be ready for constructive feedback if and when you hear why you are not included.  Your leaders need to be aware of your desire to be part of the big picture thinking for the company. 

Want to learn more? 
CLICK HERE to check out the premier program Communicate with Impact!  It develops leadership skills and teaches strategic communication to help participants grow professionally.  Clients are supported personally by me to achieve long term and positive change.  Sound good?  Here’s the link.

I want to hear from you!
CLICK HERE to share your experiences on how you received positive attention from your leaders and you felt heard.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Joyce’s career coaching system and put your career on track to your next promotion

Until next time,

This is Joyce Weiss, Communication Strategist and Coach

I share powerful techniques on tackling tough conversations to build employee engagement, accountability, and improve my client’s quality of life. Feel free to call me (800.713.1926) concerning your own team/executive retreats, workshops, and on-line professional growth coaching.

Remember…You Get What YOU Tolerate!

See YOU Next Week.

PS  CLICK HERE If you like this post on Strategic Communication to read my article on Enhance the workplace to increase the work pace.

Read more articles and listen to podcasts at our Career Skills Knowledge Base https://www.joyceweiss.com/resources/knowledge-base/career-skills/

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Joyce

Email: joyce@joyceweiss.com
Phone: 248-681-5831