Giving constructive feedback is an essential management skill that escapes most supervisors. Feedback is all about helping people get better at what they’re doing. Effective feedback is neither positive or negative – it’s just information – information that is specific, observable, helpful, timely and focused.
Bits & Pieces
Whatever your profession, you also need to be a professional communicator. ETC is pleased to share these essential Bits & Pieces to help you polish those skills.
Ride up on the Escalator
Take your Elevator Speech to the top floor by converting it into an ‘Escalator Speech’. Assume you’re going down on the escalator as someone passes by you going up on the other one. You only have a few seconds to communicate. So, your Escalator Speech is an even more concise version of your Elevator Speech.
Networking Defined
A reader recently asked me to define ‘Networking’. So, here is the definition that is the basis of all my networking workshops, speaking engagements and articles:
‘Networking is the exchange of ideas, information and resources.’
A ‘Phil’s Fave’ on Meeting Management
‘The only thing worse than a bad workplace meeting is a great meeting that didn’t need to be a meeting. It should have been an email, text, phone call or face-to-face conversation.’ And, you can quote me – Phil Stella, 21st Century workplace communication consultant, executive coach and author.
Why I Hate (2)
I recently got a document from a client asking me to ‘review and comment on two (2) different versions of the plan’. I’m not making this up – people still think they need to tell readers that the word ‘two’ means ‘# 2’. Really? Most workplace readers know that and reminding them can be insulting or annoying. It is to me.
Phil’s Faves – Broncos
Looks like sharing often-heard concepts from my workshops and presentations is both useful and interesting for many of you, like this ‘Phil’s Fave audience comment. ‘Thanks so much for being a bunch of bucking broncos today. It takes a lot of work and effort to keep pulling in the reins on bucking broncos, but it’s … Read more
When did ‘right’ become the new ‘ummm?’
Right! During a recent zoom business conference, the experienced and otherwise effective speaker had a conspicuous habit of saying ‘… right’ all the time. It was as if he replaced the annoying ‘ummm’ with the equally annoying ‘right’.
Why I Hate Hearing ‘Cleveland, OH’
I regularly ‘attend’ networking or business events in Cleveland (zoom meetings these days), where people introduce their businesses. Lots of them mention that they’re located in Cleveland, Ohio or Lakewood, Ohio or Beachwood, Ohio, etc. I hate that.
Giving Your Boss Feedback
A reader recently asked how to give his boss feedback. Short answer – give your boss feedback in the same way and for the same reasons as he or she should be giving you feedback – to reinforce improvements and enhance performance.