Alice and Jane are experienced remote workers, as they pursue their tasks no matter where they are, and they’re happy to share a few of the tips they’ve found useful in working successfully from wherever you find yourself.

– Have the right tools. Carrying several squeakies around is hard, so they like to keep a supply in all of their work places.

– Establish clear guidelines. Having several offices makes it hard to remember the rules in each. “Stay off the sofa’ doesn’t apply in the kitchen, for example, so it’s important to have reminders.

– Communicate with team members. The girls never expect others to know what they need, so they include meal and outings reminders in their daily to-do lists.

– Take frequent paw…pauses. Being on one’s own schedule can tempt one to stay at the job too long. Taking a break can renew your energy for your next nap.

– Don’t abandon your training! Alice and Jane know that their workplace offers continued encouragement, with frequent training in ‘No Bark’ and ‘Wait’- two of the most popular courses.

How is your Work From Home routine? Need a treat? Let us help

The post Working From Home appeared first on Language at Work.

Is workplace communication following this trend? Some people are hearing workplace conversations that seem to have adapted the power casual or business comfort style, in which messages are spared words or phrases that used to be the norm. Demands are easier to issue than requests. It’s much quicker to get to a salient point if one can avoid any softening commentary. No need to bother with the old style standards of discourse – just say what you mean. If one can speak casually or dismissively at home or at play, why put on formality just for the workplace?

Some of us were taught that the way we dress informs the way we behave, suggesting that in our sweats we couldn’t conduct a professional interaction, but that idea is being tested as we no longer insist that certain clothing items dictate our work behavior. Does the same hold for the way we speak to one another? Is work leisure a free pass on cordiality? Or can we still respect one another in our t-shirts?

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700. 

Thanks!
Judy

The post Business Casual Communication? appeared first on Language at Work.

Some people use sarcasm or humor to deflect.  Others feel defensive and respond accordingly.  Others attack. Others make vague and neutral noises, hoping for deniability if things don’t go their way. Usually these responses cause more trouble; they certainly don’t solve the immediate problem, or move things along.

Reasons for not speaking up are usually fear that others will become angry or defensive, making the situation worse, and not knowing the words or tone that will convey the message without sounding aggressive.  Lack of confidence prevents most people from trying.  They wonder if they have a right to say something that might sound disagreeable or uncooperative, so they either remain silent, or indicate disapproval in other ways, ways that can be unhelpful, unwelcome, and certainly confusing.

Help is available.

Speak Up! – The Webinar is our first open enrollment project.

One hour, many tips, budget-friendly, and easy to fit into the day.

August 24, 2021 from 1-2pm EST – call to enroll your group.

Come on – speak up!

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.

Thanks!
Judy

Judith Pollock, President
Language at Work
4931 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone 202-298-7700
www.languageatwork.com

Image by Z RAINEY from Pixabay

The post Speak Up! appeared first on Language at Work.

Keep essential skills current with this quick dip into training that won’t strain your budget or your time.Speak Up!

A 60 minute Live Webinar

August 24, 2021

1:00-2:00pm EDT

What is it?      This program is packed with tips and ideas for speaking in difficult situations. Learn to navigate difficult conversations, deliver bad news, or just project confidence and control.

Who Should Attend?   Everyone who wants to feel more competent in their interactions with others, particularly in situations that are awkward or intimidating.

What will you learn?   Participants will learn to assess situations and plan their responses, using listening and guided questioning, and will learn tips for being assertive and making appropriate language choices.

Cost   $2000 (for up to 8 participants from the same organization).  Participants will receive a copy of the presentation materials in electronic (pdf) format.

Registration   This is a live webinar delivered on the Zoom platform.   Contact mary.scohera@languageatwork.com to register or with questions.

Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

The post OPEN ENROLLMENT WEBINAR! NEW from Language at Work appeared first on Language at Work.

This article (https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/business-changing-new-normal-after-covid-19) suggests what a new normal will require, and it’s not hard to imagine how communication will influence and be influenced by these changes.

Communicating through our devices, and meeting one-another on screens can smooth rough edges, but friction-free can mean broad and unclear.  Lost are the layers of messaging provided by body language, repeated conversations, casual referencing.  Processes that are simplified can derail effective problem-solving, decision-making can suffer from reticent team-members, and individuals can be lost in zoom flurries where those who are quick and vocal take over.

Attention to communication will be a big part of the new normal.

Intentional Communication– Focus on your message and learn how to ensure delivery

Intentional Branding – Identify and define your professional statement and learn to promote it.

Intentional Teams– Use the virtual environment to strengthen collaboration and involvement.

Intentional Balance – Clarify roles and goals of professional and personal lives and create strategies to help both.

Let us help you prepare for the new normal.  Call us to schedule communication courses that are intentional and focused.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.

Thanks!
Judy

The post Now What? appeared first on Language at Work.

Try our series of Summer Shorties to refresh your skills and try something new.

• Pick any 3 topics
• Schedule one each month June, July, August
• One hour mini sessions packed with tips and tricks
• Perfect for Lunch and Learn brown bags
• All 3 for $4,000

Pick your 3 faves and call us at 202.298.7700

• Ten Tips to Improve Your Writing
• Speaking on the Spot
• Assertiveness
• Listening
• Managing Virtual Meetings
• How to Influence Without Authority
• Finding Work-Life Balance
• Memory: Use it or Lose it

Don’t keep me a secret! Do you know someone who could benefit from my services?  Please pass this great offer to your colleagues.

The post Summer Special appeared first on Language at Work.

Listen to them

Here’s why it’s so good:

• It costs you nothing.
• You don’t have to think of anything to say.
• The speaker will like it

Also, it can be easy to do once you get used to doing it.  But if you have not been in the habit of listening, you may have to demonstrate your new skill and intention a few times, because up to now you’ve trained your speaker to be wary, suspicious, defensive, and prepared to speak in ways that are provocative and challenging.

Declaring your intention can help. Try this:  ‘I want to hear what you have to say/think/want/believe/like/suggest, and I promise I will listen and not argue or comment until you ask me to do so.  I may ask a clarifying question, but if I do it is only to help me understand.”

Then open your mind and receive info.  No eye-rolling, head-shaking, smirking.  Don’t waste time answering in your head or gathering outrage.  Recognize that what you’re hearing is something that is true for that person at that moment.  Let it in.

If the encounter needs help, remember that speakers are as cautious about speaking as you may be about listening- say encouraging things like  ‘Go on; say more about that; help me understand what that means.’  If your mind control is set at ‘accept’, your comments will be acceptable.

When the speaker finishes, you say thank you.  ‘Thank you for telling me that; I understand now.’  You can say this because understanding doesn’t mean agreeing.

Do you get to talk?  Maybe, but not in this round.  This is your gift- Listening.  Do it.

Spend some time on our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.

Thanks!
Judy

Judith Pollock, President
Language at Work
4931 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone 202-298-7700

The post The Perfect Gift appeared first on Language at Work.

The ‘cool kids’ are our clients who doggedly and inspiringly press on with training even tho their classrooms are closed and their teams are dispersed. They offer training in topics that they know workers need, but as it’s harder to know what these distant workers need, they often ask us for suggestions.

“What’s popular now?” is a common query.

As we put together our list of *Top Hits I wondered how interest in these topics reflects how people are feeling. Interest in communication and self-development suggest that we want to stay connected with one another and to continue to look forward.

These seem to be good goals. They must be the cool kids.

*Top Hits Virtual Training

Virtual Workplace
Effective Virtual Meetings
Managing Your Team Remotely
Holding Your Own When Working Remotely
Finding Work/Home Balance
Maintaining Communication with Your Distant Team

Communication
Speaking With Power
Listening for Results
Get a Grip on Conflict
Presentation Skills
Assertiveness
Influencing and Persuading
Collegial Communication

Self-Development
Developing Personal Initiative
Develop Your Inner Leader
Aligning Personal and Professional Goals
Take Charge of Your Career
Emotion Management

Cultural
Communicate Effectively in English
Cross Cultural Communication

Writing
Professional Writing
Clarity and Brevity in Writing
Persuasive Writing
Editing and Proofreading for Error-Free Writing
Grammar Gremlins

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com/www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.

Thanks!
Judy

Judith Pollock, President
Language at Work
4931 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone 202-298-7700
www.languageatwork.com/www.languageatwork.com>

The post What’s Hot with the Cool Kids? appeared first on Language at Work.

Courses for Virtual Training
Virtual Workplace
Effective Virtual Meetings
Managing Your Team Remotely
Holding Your Own When Working Remotely
Finding Work/Home Balance
Maintaining Communication with Your Distant Team
Communication
Speaking With Power
Listening for Results
Get a Grip on Conflict
Presentation Skills
Assertiveness
Influencing and Persuading
Collegial Communication
Self-Development
Developing Personal Initiative
Develop Your Inner Leader
Aligning Personal and Professional Goals
Take Charge of Your Career
Cultural
Communicate Effectively in English
Cross Cultural Communication
Writing
Professional Writing
Clarity and Brevity in Writing
Persuasive Writing
Editing and Proofreading for Error-Free Writing
Grammar Gremlins

If you have other topics in mind, let us know. We’re happy to add your preferences to our list!

If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.
Judith Pollock, President

The post Hot Virtual Training Topics appeared first on Language at Work.

Jane and Alice, Dogs at Work, get it.  Their work is ….uh, remote all the time, pandemic or not.  But during the pandemic their concerns have increased a bit as they share some of the changes experienced by workers everywhere. Too much time spent indoors can make one restive, and accumulated energy can lead to unfortunate communication encounters.  But they know what to do.

Many of our clients have expressed some similar concerns: anxiety, restlessness, confusion, resentment, and all wrapped in a cloud of fatigue.  Workers look for remedies because what shows up in the workplace is decreased cooperation, isolation, arguments, and territorial disputes, and pretty soon everyone is barking at everyone else.

Jane and Alice get a romp in the park and that often does it for them.  If your park outings are limited, though, you might benefit from a different refresher.  Our new virtual workshop, Recharge Your Energy, will show how to manage uncertainty, focus energy, develop and navigate through decisions, and maintain communication and collegiality with those in the work environment- even though it sometimes seems like we don’t know where our next kibble is coming from.

Let us know if we can help.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com. If it’s easier, call us directly at 202-298-7700.

The post Attention Remote Workers! Time to Refresh! appeared first on Language at Work.