professional development Archives - Language at Work

Emotional Intelligence for Everyone

Judy Pollock — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 16:25:41 +0000

Everyone benefits from this sharp, clear guide to recognizing and managing the effects of emotion on our interactions. This isn’t news. What IS news is this: We’re now offering this important program in a shorter format, to accommodate those with busy schedules and time constraints, AND we are still providing the full day more interactive course.

Emotional Intelligence – 4 hour, half day course.

Emotional Intelligence – 7 hour, full day course. Which format fits your schedule?

Let us help you and your group get in on those- you can develop Emotional Intelligence.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.

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Sign Up For our Spring Webinars!

Judy Pollock — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:07:48 +0000

Just in time for busy spring schedules, our short, compact, lively webinars deliver tips and resources for popular training topics.

Each 90 minute webinar provides instruction and discussion, with helpful resource material for further learning.

Here’s the schedule:

April 26, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Office Etiquette – Common problems are shown, along with suggestions for behaviors that promote good will. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240146597958168

May 31, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Keys to Clear Writing – Learn what quick steps you can do take make your writing accessible to the reader, and ensure the reaction you want. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240533987787171

June 28, 2024, 12:00 – 1:30pm
Managing Up: Help Your Boss Help You – Learn to read your boss and adapt your speaking and working style so you both can benefit from your relationship. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240564523933154

July 26, 2024, 12:00-1:30pm

Grammar Bootcamp – A return of our popular, must-have course that will answer your questions and correct the common pesky grammar goofs. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/240525054517148

Payment Information
Individual Registration Fee $179.00
Additional Notes:
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Upon payment, a confirmation email with webinar access details will be sent to the provided email address.

For any inquiry or assistance, please contact: contactus@languageatwork.com.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.

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Do They Need More?

Judy Pollock — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 21:59:08 +0000

Is your virtual training giving you everything you need? Or do you need more?Many of our training participants and clients say that the quick, on-line virtual sessions are terrific for many people: tips, instruction, explanations, and some discussion. A few hours- a lot of people – pop in, pop out. This is a training development that the pandemic taught us, and it helps keep training going.But, many people need more than instruction; they need to DO the strategies being learned. They need to try the tips, and see how they feel, and how they work. They need an instructor to monitor their efforts and give feedback and guidance. Virtual, on-line sessions don’t have time to offer this valuable element of training.In response to this need, we’ve developed Practicum Programs in which participants can do just that. Meant for up to 10 people, our Practicum Programs guide participants through sample exercises in which they perform, discuss, role play, and apply the lessons learned in a virtual program.Let us help you arrange a practicum to supplement your virtual training. It’s easy to offer them a little more.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.

Thank you.

Judith Pollock, PresidentLanguage at Work4931 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC 20016Phone 646-491-1089 www.languageatwork.com

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Exciting News! Grammar Bootcamp! 90 Minute Intensive Webinar

Judy Pollock — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 21:30:35 +0000

Get ready to elevate your language skills with our upcoming public webinar, “Grammar Bootcamp”! Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or just getting started, this intensive session is designed to fine-tune your grammar prowess. Secure your spot now with Grammar Bootcamp!Tuesday, December 19, 2023Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ESTREGISTER NOW

Overview Turbocharge your understanding of key grammar essentials with this dynamic focused session. Uncover the most common grammatical pitfalls and learn strategies to overcome them. Speaking and writing correctly elevates your communication and gives an immediate professional stamp on your interactions; this accelerated session will help you get there. Employers want clients to know that their organization is competent and diligent, but employees with poor grammar give a different picture. Employees want to feel confident that they have the skills and credibility to advance their careers. Knowledge and use of clear, standard grammar is a mark of professionalism and pride. Join those who are comfortable that they are making the right choices in word choice, structure, punctuation, and grammar. Many of us have simply forgotten the rules we learned, or have fallen into habits of usage that are hard to break. With this lively session you can quickly reclaim your grammar creds, and bring your communication to a new level. What you Will Learn After this session you will know correct usage of common grammar, punctuation, and structure elements, and will learn helpful resources for expanding and maintaining your understanding. Who Should Attend

Individuals who want to learn grammar rules they might have missed
Professionals who want a quick grammar refresher
Employers who want to help staff avoid grammatical errors in writing and speaking

Instructor Christy Woods is a national speaker, trainer, coach, and consultant, and she is a recognized expert in grammar and language use. She conducts training and coaching sessions in all areas of communication to public and private organizations and individuals. Cost $159.00 / per person REGISTER NOW Additional Notes

Registration fees are non-refundable.
Upon successful payment, a confirmation email with webinar access details will be sent to the provided email address.
For group registrations, please provide the names and email addresses of all participants.

For any inquiries or assistance, please contact: contactus@languageatwork.comVisit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.

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Come and Get It!

Judy Pollock — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:03:06 +0000

A catalog of courses can make your fall training planning easy and quick. You’ll see courses categorized and summarized so you can turn to the topics you need, and can find everything you want all in one place.

Our new catalog of courses is designed to make planning and scheduling as efficient as the training itself. In it you’ll find all of our familiar favorite courses along with many new titles – new courses that reflect the issues and concerns of today in the thoughtful and engaging format of all Language at Work training.

Let us send you your copy of the Language at Work Catalog of Courses. Use it when you meet with colleagues, send it when a department asks for training suggestions, share it with those who wonder which course bests suits their needs.

Use it to book your 2023-2024 training!

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.

Thanks!
Judy

Judith Pollock, President
Language at Work
4931 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone 646-491-1089
www.languageatwork.com

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The What and How of Personal Branding

Judy Pollock — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 19:44:49 +0000

The personal brand concept is not new, but there are many ideas and questions about it.

What is it, what does it mean for you or your organization, what does one do with it- essentially what is the So What of Personal Branding?

And – how do we do it?

Personal Branding is meant to be the picture of you that others see – a picture created by you. You get to decide what you want to promote about yourself and about what you do, and you get to do so in words and actions that you choose.

Others will see you and make decisions and judgments about you, anyway, so why not be the author of whatever story they’re seeing?

That’s the ‘What’.

Designing and planning your brand is fun and rewarding but it can be overwhelming. There is a lot to say about you, but your brand needs to be short and strong, so getting your terrific self into a marketable package can take some work.

That’s the ‘How’, and we can help with that.

Whether you are offering Personal Branding to your team of individuals, or to your department, or even considering personal branding for your organization – our class will help you do it.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.

Thanks!Judy Judith Pollock, PresidentLanguage at Work4931 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC 20016Phone 646-491-1089 www.languageatwork.com

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The Courses You Want #3: Reframing: Turning Problems into Opportunities

Judy Pollock — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 21:54:44 +0000

There are 3 sides to every story: yours, theirs, and the reality. Clearly, there is some overlap, and the version attributed to reality is often obscure, especially in stories in which the stakes are high, so it seems reasonable to say that any version of the story could stand some adjustment.

What if we could adjust our version of the story to make it more palatable- and to make it one that offers us some benefit? If a story that leaves us feeling deflated or dismissed could be adjusted to be a story that invites action and possibility, would we not want to make that change?

Reframing can do that. Consider:

Hema and Ortiz made a fabulous presentation in their bid to run the next project and they were turned down. Not only that, but now they have to work with- and answer to- the team that won the bid. Anger, disappointment, and resentment flags are flying.

A colleague sees Hema and Ortiz developing their story of victimization and bias, and suggests an alternative story:

Now you can learn from this project what you can do in the next bid; now you can demo your grace and cooperation; now you’ll have more time to check out other projects; now you have OPPORTUNITY, not failure.

It’s a slight adjustment; it’s an adjustment that risks insincerity in implementation; it’s an adjustment that might yield none of the suggested outcomes. But, by reframing their experience, Hema and Ortiz have a chance to move from negativity to at least, neutrality, if not positivity, and this outlook is no small thing in the work world.

Reframing is a simple concept but it can be complex in execution. Some specific guidelines can make it a habit that will help you, and, as a manager, will help you steer your team.

Ask us about this course you want: Reframing: Turning Problems into Opportunities.

Visit our website to learn more about how our courses and services could improve your operations — www.languageatwork.com.Thanks!

Judy Judith Pollock, PresidentLanguage at Work4931 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC 20016Phone 646-491-1089 www.languageatwork.com

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Courses You Want #2: Build Better Boundaries

Mary Scohera — Thu, 18 May 2023 16:59:39 +0000

Disagreements, misunderstanding, and resentment can send any relationship off track – and consequences can be annoying or disastrous.

Much can be avoided by observing boundaries.

What?!

The term ‘Boundaries’ can be off-putting, as it suggests rules and barbed wire fences, but we have them and attend to them all the time. Do you open someone else’s desk to look for a stapler? Do you look at someone else’s email to check a meeting time? Do you jump into an argument between others?

Or do you want someone telling you how to manage your teen-ager – or your brother reviewing your recent spending choices? Or a team member correcting your report?

Boundaries.

The reasons boundaries cause trouble include:

We don’t recognize what is ‘ours’
We don’t know how to set them
We aren’t sure if we should or can say what is okay with us or not
We fear sounding bossy or uncooperative or unfriendly.

With a few (sort of simple) changes, we can learn to recognize, establish, define and ask for boundaries, and prevent a lot of annoyance. And disaster.

Let us help you and your group get on those- you can Build Better Boundaries.

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The Course You Want

Judy Pollock — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 20:15:04 +0000

Everyone wants communication in their workplace to be smooth, productive, and drama free. In order to solve problems, generate ideas, establish routines people talk.

But: are they talking TO one another or WITH one another?

For many people the main task of their communication is how to say whatever it is they want to say in order to get their points out there. The most significant part of the communication – what the other person is doing with that information – isn’t even considered. Not a surprise, then, when communication (an interaction between at least 2 people) goes awry.

If the ‘other person’ in the communication isn’t listening, interested, satisfied, included, considered, or if the speaker persists in delivering an welcome message in spite of hints that there is resistance – communication fails.

Speakers not only need to figure out how to deliver a message, they also need to know how to adjust that delivery in the face of audience response.

Here’s how: People Literacy .

This course helps speakers read their audiences – even as they are speaking- and shows how to make adjustments to ensure a successful exchange. Learn how language, tone, physicality, timing and other elements can be used to recognize your audience’s reactions. You’ll know how your message is being received, and can adjust accordingly. Control of the encounter can be yours!

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Working From Home

Judy Pollock — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 16:31:08 +0000

Now we say ‘working remotely’ or ‘virtual office’ since home can be the coffee shop or the beach, as well as your living room. Wherever it is, it isn’t The Office of a few years ago.

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

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