In sports, when the competition gains the lead, a player gets rattled, or the tension mounts, the team typically huddles to talk things over. What changes … Read more

In sports, when the competition gains the lead, a player gets rattled, or the tension mounts, the team typically huddles to talk things over. What changes … Read more
Conflict indicates an engaged work team. Often, conflict prevents bad decisions and big mistakes and can lead to innovative ideas. But the downside: Small … Read more
If we’ve learned anything from Covid-19, the related vaccinations and mandates, work-from-home arrangements, return-to-the-office options, or financial … Read more
When everyone’s responsible, no one’s responsible. Ask your kids why the house has been turned into a disaster while you were away at a conference; they’ll … Read more
You may not be able to tell a book by its cover, but you can definitely tell productive leaders by their communication habits and their emails. Here’s how: … Read more
Complainers are convinced that your executive team, the dock workers, and the technicians stay up nights trying to figure out how to deceive them, ruin … Read more
Powerless people typically refuse to admit they have no real authority. They may tell you they’re recommenders or influencers, but you know them as … Read more
It was what came after the colonoscopy that gave me the creeps. The gastro doctor came to me as a referral from my family physician, so I’d booked my first … Read more
The weather forecaster issues a tornado warning, so you get out your new flashlight to make sure it’s working in case the electricity goes out. It’s not. … Read more
If you’ve ever watched TV coverage after a crazed killer has gunned down innocent victims in a shooting rampage and felt your own muscles tighten as … Read more
Maybe you haven’t worked for micromanaging bosses, but no doubt you’ve heard about them. Employees buzz about these bosses over lunch, complain about them … Read more
Editor’s note: I’d like to welcome back Dianna Booher as she revives the “HR Communication Corner” column. Though she had bid the … Read more
Nobody decides to be a poor communicator. They become ineffective through neglect. Instead of mindful, intentional communication, they adopt clichés and … Read more
The standard line among professional speakers about the importance of humor, even in serious business or technical presentations, goes like this: Question: … Read more
We’ve just come through a political season where we heard (or saw?) speakers reading their scripts — during the conventions, during Supreme Court … Read more
Cyberbullying has received increased attention during the last few years, focusing primarily on children and teens. But adults can be bullying victims as … Read more
HR often plays the parental role within an organization, particularly in sensitive or crisis situations like mergers, natural disasters, layoffs, or … Read more
At a SHRM mega-session years ago while speaking on the topic of executive presence, I included an audience demonstration about the body language aspect of … Read more
You have 60 seconds to name all the movies that include a scene like the following: The heroine (or hero) is standing in front of a gathering of … Read more
A boss’s offhand comment, “Be sure to leave time for Q&A,” often causes great concern among presenters. Maybe they have flashbacks of presidential … Read more