http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?prod_abbv=mpaw A discussion to help good managers attain the advanced skills they need to become outstanding leaders Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:59:05 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Stuck in the audience during a long speech, I grew annoyed as the presenter kept saying, “Let me say something about…” Then she’d proceed to, you guessed it, say something about customers or technology or whatever else she promised to say something about. Prefacing her remarks didn’t enhance her speech. In ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=222&prod_abbv=mpaw There are smart ways to tell an employee to shape up. For starters, don’t say, “Shape up.” Instead, speak in non-threatening, collaborative language. Choose words that bring people together as your ally rather than underscore their inferiority as subordinates. And beware of subtly picking a fight when you’re trying to win ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=221&prod_abbv=mpaw To manage people well, you need a splash of charisma. Don’t worry. It’s not a rare gift that only a few lucky people possess. You want it? It’s yours—with a bit of effort. Armed with charisma, you can mobilize people to do what they didn't think they could do. That requires ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=220&prod_abbv=mpaw PUBLIC SPEAKING: Wrap your remarks nice 'n tight To deliver a powerful presentation, organize your thoughts so that they're easy to follow. In this podcast, we examine ways to structure your speech so that people are more apt to listen attentively and buy into your ideas. (6 min.) [podcast]http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/media/podcast/structure_final.mp3[/podcast] Click here for more ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=219&prod_abbv=mpaw Last week, I was coaching a chief executive to prepare for media interviews. Just before our session began, his communications director said to me, “Morey, don’t mention our latest quarterly results. And don’t bring up the sexual harassment lawsuit.” “But the media will raise these issues,” I said. “Wouldn’t you like ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=218&prod_abbv=mpaw To sharpen your persuasive communication skills, here’s my biggest piece of advice: Beware of bad advice. Everywhere I look, I see alleged experts dishing out terrible tips. Here are two examples: 1. To sell your ideas, reveal more of yourself. Share why you care so deeply about what you’re selling. When I ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=217&prod_abbv=mpaw TIME MANAGEMENT: Pick a system, any system Most time management gurus will tell you that procrastination isn't as bad as multitasking. In this podcast, you'll learn more about the scourge of multitasking—and what other insights these efficiency experts offer to help managers operate at peak productivity. (7 min.) [podcast]http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/media/podcast/system_final.mp3[/podcast] Click here for more ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=216&prod_abbv=mpaw I recently coached a manager, Jim, who complained about his boss. “He just won’t look me in the eye,” Jim told me. “I don’t trust the guy and I certainly don’t feel I’m connecting with him when we talk.” The sad truth is many mid-level managers report to executives who fail to ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=215&prod_abbv=mpaw MANAGING ADVERSITY: Solve what you can solve When adversity strikes, it's easy to give up or at least resign yourself to adverse outcomes. But there's a better strategy. In this podcast, you'll learn about the powerfully destructive pull of "learned helplessness" and three simple steps to overcome it.  (6 min.) [podcast]http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/media/podcast/solve_final.mp3[/podcast] Click here ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=214&prod_abbv=mpaw Readers of Managing People at Work know we place great emphasis on organizational culture. Managers set a tone by their behavior and comments (whether they realize it or not). Employees adjust their attitude and actions to fit the prevailing culture that’s shaped by senior management’s tone. In the last week, news accounts ... http://www.managingpeopleatwork.com/wordpress/?p=212&prod_abbv=mpaw