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Issue 387, July 14, 2010 New Article: Six steps for turning problems (like gossip) into opportunitiesMost people who discover they have a department or organizational gossip problem don't immediately think of it as an opportunity. But dynamic leaders do. Read about how to deal with a gossip problem in the article: From a good way to manage a gossip problem to a dynamic one. You can also watch me talk about it in my video: From Good Management Communication to Great Management Communication. For starters, here are your six tips for turning problems like gossip into opportunities.1. Introduce the problem as a shared one. 2. Invite others to weigh in on why it is a problem. 3. Invite a discussion of possibilities. What kind of culture and agreements do you want to create? 4. Brainstorm action steps to achieve the possibilities. 5. Get commitment to implement the steps. 6. Have a follow-up meeting where you celebrate progress, tweak your steps and reaffirm your commitment. That's the short version. If you really want to learn how to turn problems like gossip into opportunities, register for my July 27th free webinar at www.perfectphrases.com. I'll walk you through the steps. PowerPhrase: You may be right but it isn’t helpingWhen I watch people argue in movies, I think of what I’d like to say to them to break the deadlock. We watched Revolutionary Road this week, and Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet didn’t get along nearly as well as they did in Titanic. Both hurled judgments at each other that highlighted their flaws. Their words had some truth, but little kindness. I wanted to say to both of them,
Being right isn’t enough. You may be smart enough to give someone the best imaginable analysis of their limits, but if you’re not smart enough to also speak to their higher nature, and if you’re not smart enough to mix kindness with your assessments, you’re not being smart at all. Poison Phrase: There are two sides to every storyIt sounds so reasonable, and that’s what makes it so poisonous. George took over a marketing project from Tom. Tom had done almost nothing on the project, so George had to scramble, and he did a fabulous job. He was not a bit happy to learn that Tom was taking credit as if he had done it alone. Tom listened to George’s objections, but didn’t really hear. He told Tom, -I’ll think about what you said. After all, there are two sides to every story. Actually, there are more than two sides. Every story has multiple dimensions. But more than that, Tom’s comment dismisses George’s concern by indicating that both sides have equal validity. Yes, and if a thief and an honest man disagree, the thief might make the same argument. It’s not an argument I would make, however. Reader Question: A Cold Case – and office whinerA reader asks: This question applies to dealing with anyone who complains rather than doing something about a problem. I have a friend who complains about being broke when I talk to him, but whenever I suggest ideas for his business, he is insulted that I would try to advise him, and will preemptively dismiss any suggestions I have. Sound familiar? Here’s what I’d say.
blog commentsReader Success Story: / The rejection letter that resulted in an endorsement PowerPhrase: If you were me, what questions would you ask now? Dynamic dignity, corporate ignominy #4: Even my IPod says good-bye Part A |
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