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.

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.

While many organizations are opening again for on-site working, many workers will still be working remotely.  Training that comes to them no matter where they are is convenient, easy to arrange, and hassle-free.  Even those with Zoom Fatigue from too many meetings and chats will be grateful for a learning experience that is brisk and challenging and fun.

Whatever training topic is on your mind, let’s put it online.  We’ve found that specific aspects of broad subjects such as Better Business Writing can be successfully addressed in 2 hour formats.  Clarity and Brevity, Grammar Gremlins, Editing and Proofreading, Punctuation and Structure, Writing for the Reader, have all been subjects of lively, informative virtual sessions, with participants bringing questions and examples for discussion.

Don’t let the confusion and chaos of work location keep your training programs from moving forward.  We’re here to help you. Our virtual training sessions are clear and brief and get results.

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 Pollock, President

The post Summertime and the Training is Easy! appeared first on Language at Work.

• Telephone coaching with individuals having trouble with adjustment?
• Brainstorming ways to polish your in-house communication?
• Writing some communication or teleworking guidelines?
• Developing a quick program on an issue that you need addressed?
• What else?

And, of course, let us know if a webinar will help keep your training program alive. Any topics you’d like to address?

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

The post How Can We Help? appeared first on Language at Work.

Influencing and Persuading
This program will help participants learn the skills and behaviors that cause others to follow their lead.  When working apart from colleagues, it is important to be able to gain cooperation and to communicate in ways that advance work projects.  Participants will learn to frame ideas in ways that others can understand and accept.

Crisis Communication
This program will help participants recognize and address the fears and suspicions that accompany crisis and change, and better communicate with staff, colleagues, and coworkers in ways that inspire trust, demystify issues, and promote clarity.

Clarity and Brevity in Writing
This program will help participants create clear and effective documents that are readily accessible to the reader.  Participants will learn to plan and organize their writing so that purposes are identified, and proposed action is clear.  They will learn strategies for editing in order to avoid wordiness.

Basics of Better Business Writing
This program will help participants learn basic guidelines for producing error- free documents.  Participants will review elements that make writing effective, and will consider tone, language, format, grammatical and structural conventions, and consistency in their documents.

Getting a Grip on Conflict
This program will help participants anticipate and manage situations that can lead to conflict.  Participants will explore common causes of conflict, particularly those that arise from the need to adapt to new work conditions, and will learn skills to address conflict in productive ways.

Listening is Not Just Hearing
This program will help participants improve the quality of their communication by developing strong listening skills. Challenging situations present barriers to communication that can be overcome by active listening. Participants will learn strategies for improving concentration and maintaining focus in the face of distractions.

Speaking With Power
This program will help participants speak with confidence and competence in a variety of settings by learning to apply basic communication skills to all situations.  Participants will learn that they can use the same communication strategies when speaking in conversations, meetings, and in responding to impromptu requests.

Grammar Gremlins
This program will help participants recognize their own grammar usage, and identify misunderstandings in structural and grammatical conventions.  Participants will understand the effects on their own writing and speaking of errors, and will learn and review common rules.

Managing Up
This program will help participants develop and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with those in positions of authority.  During challenging and changing times, communication is a key element in working together, and the ability to express opinions, ideas, and concerns is important.  Participants will learn how to take active roles in their interactions, and will learn strategies for communicating assertively with confidence.

Be An Effective Team Member
This program will help participants recognize the importance of being a strong team member, particularly when teams are scattered, and are working together in new ways.  Participants will learn skills and strategies for making and being recognized for contributions to their teams, and for continuing to develop their own work performance.

Tips for Teleworking
This program will help participants make the best of a remote working situation, and learn to maintain their effectiveness and productivity.  Participants will develop plans and routines that promote efficiency, and will learn time and self management tips, as well as ways to adapt communication and teamwork skills to their extended workplace.

Managing Your Remote Workforce
This program will help participants identify the many changes that employees face in adapting to a new work format, and will learn to guide their teams to continued productivity.  Participants will learn practical strategies for organizing work flow as well as techniques for maintaining morale and motivation.

Dealing With Difficult
This program will help participants better manage situations, people, and conditions that cause concern.  During stressful times it is harder to be calm and resourceful in the face of unwelcome behavior or situations.  Participants will learn to consider what causes difficulty, and what strategies could be employed to help reduce tension and disorder

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.

Judith Pollock,

President, Language at Work

The post Webinar Programs from Language at Work appeared first on Language at Work.

Also agreed is that a lot of people are leaping into the position of Communicator for their groups, but it seems that there are different ideas about what it means to communicate.

Here are some of those ideas:

Say A Lot – This communicator measures success by word count.  Say many things, say them often, don’t worry too much about what those things are.  People will be so glad to hear from you- just your efforts to connect will be good for them.

Give only good news – This speaker believes that people will be discouraged by hearing anything other than positive information, so anything that could be considered negative is not mentioned. Even if there is a big dose of bad news, it can only cause anxiety, so ignore it.

Let Cliches and Platitudes do the work – This speaker doesn’t have to think too much about what to say because there is an unending supply of old and tired phrases to drag out.  These have been used forever so they must be effective, and it saves having to think about what to say.

Defend the Role – When information is unclear, awkward, or unlikely to be popular, this speaker reminds listeners that the role of speaker rests in power or position, so whatever is said is to be believed. These comments are best said frequently and with force.

What’s to be done in the face of these presentations?

If you’re the listener, watch out for these slippery versions of communication, and look for a source that is clear and honest

If you’re the speaker, knock it off.

And everyone:  These behaviors are present all the time – not just during a crisis.  Maybe this is a good time to learn about real communication: how to do it and how to find it.

Learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com/courses.  If it’s easier, call me directly at 202-298-7700.  Thanks!  Judy

The post What is Communication? appeared first on Language at Work.