Archive for the ‘Communication Skills’ Category

Three Elements of Effective Feedback

Posted by Bronia Szczygiel

Finding the time and courage to give people constructive feedback on their performance can be tricky. We all know that that it’s a vital part of personal development and team performance, so it’s obviously a great thing to do.

But most of us are busy and telling people how they’re doing can be hard.

If you’ve ever had to tell someone they’re not performing you’ll know just how hard it can be. Most people like to be liked: We want to be nice and have others be nice to us. Telling them they’re not measuring up to our expectations might seem less than nice. So we feel uncomfortable about saying anything and avoid it if we can.

If you highlight an issue they may disagree, they might get angry or cry, they may criticise you, or they may not even be aware that there’s a problem.

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Presentation Skills – Handling Nerves Video Podcast

Posted by Liz McKechnie

Pitching and presenting can be a nerve wracking business.

The very best and most dynamic leaders in industry, performers, even rock stars admit to suffering from nerves when they are in the spotlight.

And its not really surprising you’re nervous – you’re in a heightened situation where you’re asking people to focus their attention entirely on what you’re saying or doing.

How will you be judged by your audience, team, boss, organization, or perhaps an even wider audience? Read more

Nervous about Networking? 3 top tips to get you out there

Posted by Bronia Szczygiel

Many people find networking events awkward and approach with them with a sinking heart. Unfortunately they refuse to go away with many companies insisting that their staff network with clients. My experience is that what you often see at such events is large clusters of staff talking to each other and clients left to fend for themselves.

Conferences are another trial. There seem to be groups of people that know each other really well – usually the organizing committee – and then odd pairs of colleagues and a pack of lone wolfs.

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