By lauriewilhelm on October 9, 2008
Nobody likes to think they’re boring, yet it’s easy to get wrapped up talking about things that you find interesting but that other people don’t find as exciting. When speaking, discretely check in with the other person or the group to make sure they’re not bored and want to get away as soon as it’s [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on October 9, 2008
A few weeks ago, I attended a weekend conference for a charitable organization where I’m a volunteer. Most of the agenda comprised of working sessions and the participants were requested to sit at round tables, six per group. As I looked around the room prior to the sessions starting, I noticed that many people at [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on August 3, 2008
There are many people who want better relationships, more friends, and meaningful interactions with others. Often, they recognize that part of their problem is that their own communication and social skills aren’t very good. It’s true that if you lack various social skills then you’re most likely part of your problem. But let’s look at [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on July 30, 2008
One common suggestion that is recommended for improving social skills is to practice. Practice meeting other people, going to social events, joining clubs, taking classes or practice being with different people in various situations. But practice what? Practice being in a crowded room and standing by yourself in the corner? Practice feeling awkward? Practice being [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on June 12, 2008
Just the thought of small talk congers up painful memories of stilted conversations that revolved around the weather and umpteen other dreadfully boring topics. While small talk is engaging in non-personal conversation that is casual, light and “safe” – meaning that the topics are of general interest and are not offensive – it doesn’t have [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on June 12, 2008
We often confuse feedback with criticism – probably because much of our experience with it has had more to do with what we’ve done wrong than what we’ve done right or how we could do better. This is unfortunate. Feedback should not be viewed as a personal assault or a list of errors, mistakes, or [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on May 21, 2008
Everyone likes being appreciated – I know I do and I suspect most other people do also. We were taught – or “trained” – at a very young age to say “thank you” at the same time we were taught to say “please.” I still hear parents today asking their kids the same question my [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on March 18, 2008
Conflicts are a normal part of life. We interact with so many different people in so many different situations that we’re bound to run into difficulties. A conflict is a disagreement where those involved feel that they are somehow being threatened. It could be that they perceive a threat to their way of thinking, their [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on March 17, 2008
Giving feedback is one of the most important interpersonal skills for any manager. The purpose of constructive feedback is to provide information that will contribute to improvements and create better results. For feedback to be useful, it has to be actionable, otherwise it’s likely that the situation or behaviour will recur. Whenever you’re giving feedback, [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
By lauriewilhelm on March 14, 2008
Good social skills are key to getting along with others and they help us to connect with the people around us. They’re not about conforming, but having a healthy respect for others. There are many, many different elements to social skills and if you’re looking for an all-in-one, short-and-sweet, how-to lesson on them, you’re going [...]
Posted in Develop Your Skill
