LEARNING FROM GIRAFFES: Be social (Part 2 of 5)

Giraffes are social. And when they socialize, they like to be informal and mix things up. Giraffes move into and out of herds; they don’t stick with one group or develop territories (known as cliques or ingroups and outgroups in the workplace). Think of giraffes as being socially-fluid. What do you do at work? Do you

Generosity: 5 Side Effects to Kindness

Don't be a jerk at work - bask in the side effects of kindness. Think about the last time someone extended a little generosity your way. They did something for you out of kindness and concern. Maybe they held a door open for you. Or they took time to listen to your frustration even though

5 Reasons Email is NOT the Answer

Some of us can remember life before email.  And others can’t remember, or possibly imagine, life without email. Has our use of email gone too far? Perhaps it has. Are we too dependent on email? Perhaps we are. Recently, I received an email asking me if I was willing to write a letter of recommendation.

The Story and Communication Style of the Expressive

Don't stop at the video ... keep reading for Expressive Tips. Meet Nancy. Nancy likes excitement. She loves to spend time chit-chatting with coworkers and is known for being highly energetic. When Nancy arrives at work it takes a little time for her to focus on the tasks of the day. Others she works with

The Story and Communication Style of the Driver

DON’T STOP AT THE VIDEO … KEEP READING FOR DRIVER TIPS. Meet Davide. Davide likes results. He infrequently spends time chit-chatting with co-workers, because he thinks it is a waste of valuable time. When Davide arrives at work he gets right to business – don’t get in his way. Others he works with tend to

The Story and Communication Style of the Analytical

DON'T STOP AT THE VIDEO ... KEEP READING FOR TIPS. Meet Marissa. Marissa is a thinker.  She is the type of person who understands the value of good, solid preparation.  For example, Marissa shuts her office door and doesn’t leave work until her to-do list for the next day is complete and ready to go.

The Story and Style of an Amiable

DON'T STOP AT THE VIDEO ... KEEP READING FOR TIPS. Meet Jeff. Jeff is liked by his coworkers and is a really friendly guy. He’s the type of person who stops by his coworker’s cubicles, on his way to the breakroom, just to ask if they’d like a cup of coffee. The team really depends

Don’t be a conversation jerk!

5 Tips to exit a conversation without being a jerk. Okay, so you’re in a conversation and it’s time to exit.  The conversation has lived its life, you have work to get back to, there is someone else you’d like to talk to, etc. Regardless of the situation, how can you exit without coming off

5 Tips for Starting a Conversation Without It Getting Weird

Are your conversations weird? Awkward? Uncomfortable? Do you hide in the corner at social events waiting for others to approach you? Not sure what to say or how to get started? No worries. You are not alone. Many people find themselves in work and social situations where they just don’t know what to say. To