Have you ever said something to your boss, co-worker, friend, or spouse and wish you could take it back? Have you ever experienced jumbled words coming out of your mouth like letters in alphabet soup during a presentation, sales pitch, or networking conversation and felt you could have communicated your message better? Do you use business jargon and cliches to help make an impact in your messaging? If you said ‘yes,’ you’re not alone. We all have communicated ineffectively at times and wished we had a “do-over.”

The key is effective communication. Knowing what to say and how to say it is a must-have leadership skill. We have a variety of communication tools at our disposal to get our messages across clearly, respectfully, and impactfully. It takes practice, and the benefits are plentiful. Excellent communicators become stronger leaders, better collaborators, effective negotiators, and become more confident. They are empathetic, trusted, liked, and often rewarded for their way with words.

Follow these proven techniques and tips to enhance your communications and increase your leadership stature:

Speak Assertively
Assertive communication is the language of leadership. Make it your go-to style in your every conversation. Assertive communication is not passive, it’s not aggressive, and it’s certainly not passive-aggressive. Assertiveness is respectfully communicating and expressing your thoughts, feelings, and opinions in a way that conveys your views and needs clearly understood by others, without putting down the other person’s thoughts, feelings, or opinions. Assertive communication aims for a win-win, and it helps build trust and respect, solve differences, promote problem-solving, and strengthen relationships.

Consciously Listen
Articulating your message fluidly and assertively is among the cornerstones of excellent communication – and so is conscious listening. When you are completely present, void of judgment and distraction, you not only hear the message, but you understand it as well. Conscious listening is an attitude that replaces hearing. It’s a mindful practice that takes one’s entire message into account including their emotions and body language.

Avoid Clichés
When you use clichés in your communication, you lose impact. You are borrowing a once-clever word or phrase that is unimaginative, dull, can sound silly, and considered lazy communication. Many clichés are overused, like, “if the shoe were on the other foot,” or “think outside the box.” Listeners will likely gloss over them assuming their common meaning while ignoring your specific use of them. As a result, they can be obstacles to successful communication. Use language that speaks to your emotions and creativity – and avoid cliches like the plague!

Avoid Jargon
Jargon is the technical terminology or characteristic idiom of a special activity or group. To colleagues, jargon is business-speak easily understood, but to others, it is convoluted and often lacks understanding, which is a hallmark of effective communicators. What is more, audiences do not respond well to jargon and will likely be less engaged in what you have to say. Rid jargon from your vocabulary. Strive for simplicity and clarity with words that are familiar and straightforward.

Leverage Your Body Language
Our body language plays an essential role in our verbal communication. It can help break barriers, increase engagement, and credibility as well as develop a stronger connection with others. A compelling, confident communicator uses nonverbal communication to reinforce their messages. Maintaining eye contact, using gestures, varying the tone of your voice, and pausing are effective body language elements to enhance your communication.

Speak with Empathy
The most effective leadership communications are ones that deliver empathy. When we speak with empathy, we strive to understand and acknowledge the situation, demonstrate compassion, and remove judgment. According to Daniel Goleman, an internationally known psychologist and author of Emotional Intelligence, “Empathy represents the foundation skill for all the social competencies important for work.”

Be YOU!
We can all spot a phony communicator, someone who is not true to his/her words, boastful, fake, and manipulating. The best communicators are those who assertively convey their messages while showcasing a bit of their engaging personality. They are vulnerable, inclusive, and share stories. When you speak authentically, others listen. You gain trust, rapport, and confidence – winning results of an all-star communicator.

You can master these tips and more. Check out our event, “Say This, Not That: Communicate Effectively with Ease & Impact” and uncover the art of impactful communication to convey your ideas with clarity and confidence.

About the Expert
Nancy Schnoebelen Imbs is an empowering leadership and development consultant, dynamic motivational speaker, and author. Highly dedicated and results-oriented, she has the skill and passion for helping individuals become more confident and successful in business and beyond. She and her company Polished help professionals focus on key adjustments that result in meaningful impact and effectiveness.

CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLE ON WLT WEBSITE

The post Speak, Listen, Lead: Communicate with Ease appeared first on Polished..

No matter where you are in your career, working with a mentor to guide you along the way can give you an advantage over those who do not partner with an experienced professional. In today’s on-the-go, competitive workplace, a mentor can play a significant role in how high you can climb the proverbial career ladder. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. To work with a mentor, we must first understand the meaning of mentorship and the roles and responsibilities that follow.

A mentor is someone who shares their wisdom, advice, and feedback. They help with career advancement, offer professional development strategies, and help you build your network. Ultimately, mentors facilitate action that has a positive effect on your career and life.

“A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”

~ Oprah Winfrey

In Greek mythology, ‘Mentor’ was the trusted advisor to Odysseus. The term mentor comes from the book, Les Aventures de Telemaque, by François Fénelon. Telemaque was Odysseus’ brother, and the main character is Mentor. The book, which dates from 1699, gave us the modern use of the term mentor: one with wisdom and experience to share.

A mentor is often someone we look up to and want to emulate. He or she has received success in their career. A mentorship often evolves from a previous relationship such as professors, former bosses, or a leader you have come to know specific to your career. Some businesses have mentorship programs in place based on the idea of matching new employees with more experienced staff, who will advise and provide insight. Be sure to ask your organization if such a program exists.

Mentoring is typically performed at no cost, and the mentorship schedule and structure is generally agreed upon by the mentee and mentor. Mentorships can range from six months to a year, meeting once a month or whatever is decided between the mentor and mentee. With the understanding and appreciation of the time and effort your mentor is gifting you, you will want to ensure you are committed to the process by keeping flexibility, goals, and objectives top of mind.

So, how do you find the right mentor? You can begin by following these proven steps to success.

Put Yourself Out There
A sure fire way to advance in your career is to make networking a priority. By so doing, you will open yourself up to many opportunities such as making new acquaintances, learning more about yourself, and investing in your career. Become a member of a professional organization that aligns with your career goals. This is an ideal way to mix and mingle with leaders in your field, build lasting relationships, and find a potential mentor.

Know Your Goals
Mentorship should never be taken for granted. The process is not solely about you. When a mentor agrees to give their valuable time and expertise to help you succeed, you must be prepared to do the work. Create a list of goals you would like to accomplish with your mentor. Perhaps you have certain skills that can be improved upon like how to communicate more assertively, how to better manage people, or how to gain respect from my boss and co-workers. Maybe it is receiving advice on how to map out a path to a promotion or new job title or even learning the “politics” for career success. Whatever your goals, they should be clearly defined with a timeline, so you and your mentor have a direction of what you’d like to achieve.

Reach Out to an Established Relationship
When seeking a mentor, ask someone with whom you have developed a good relationship. It is poor form to ask someone out of the blue to mentor you when he or she does not know you well. When you take the time to get to know someone, you will see qualities in him or her and experiences in their career that appeal to you. When you have an existing relationship with a leader, it is much easier to ask them for professional support. Often, they will feel flattered and will want to make the time to help you succeed in your career.

Be Open to Feedback
As the saying goes: “Honesty is the best policy.” To be all-in with the mentorship process, you must prepare yourself to receive feedback that may be difficult to hear. Remind yourself the reason for wanting a mentor: to advance in your career. Your mentor’s objective is to help you grow and succeed. Do not take the tough talks personally. Rather, look at the instruction as opportunities to learn and grow.

Show Respect and Gratitude
Remind yourself your mentor has lots of responsibilities to tend to other than offering you professional support. Show respect and appreciation by not being too demanding of their time. Go the extra mile with kindness and gratitude. A handwritten note of thanks or an offer to make a professional introduction on his/her behalf that would be of value to him/her are thoughtful ways to extend your appreciation. Do not feel obliged to purchase gifts for him/her. You mentor does not expect any payback other than your respect and committing yourself to the work.

Pay It Forward
Among the best lessons you can take away from your mentorship is to pay it forward. Share your wealth of knowledge with another to help him or her succeed in their career. Not only will you be paying the biggest compliment to your mentor, but you will be keep the cycle for professional growth going for others.

Contact Polished, today to help fine-tune your people skills, build credibility, and enhance success.

The post How to Find the Mentor Who is Right for You appeared first on Polished..

by Nancy Schnoebelen Imbs
published by ASAP

Don’t underestimate the power of small talk. Not only is it a good way to display a little friendliness, it can also be a powerful skill to boost your career. Some see small talk as wasteful and inconsequential, others find it difficult and boring, while others, who happen to possess excellent soft skills, see the value in small talk and use it appropriately to reap rewards both professionally and personally.

Small talk is a skill that can help build your professional brand. Whether riding in an elevator, waiting in a lunch line or attending a business meeting, striking up a conversation shows kindness, confidence, and approachability and leaves the individual with a positive impression — all things people look for in leaders.

“Conversation is fuel for the soul.”

~ Proverb

A good communicator knows when to continue or end the conversation. Generally, most people are receptive to polite chitchat, but it’s important to read the signs like paying attention to his/her body language to determine whether to continue talking. If the individual is showing disinterest by, for example, not showing eye contact or turning away from you, then he/she is giving you a message that they’re not interested in talking. Don’t take it personally.

A good communicator is also a good listener. Conscious listening is essential to mastering the art of small talk. By attentively listening you may find new common ground to steer the conversation to a deeper or meaningful direction. Reinforcing your listening skills by nodding and maintaining eye contact, encourages other people to continue to talk openly with you.

Mastering small talk in business is a key skill and can bring added benefits like expanding your network, developing relationships and – cha-ching – generating business opportunities. By taking idle chitchat and seamlessly finding that connection transitions a conversation into one with purpose and engagement.

Small talk is a skill and takes practice. Follow these tips for success:

Find Common Ground
To strike up a conversation make it relevant to the situation. If you’re attending a small networking event, you might say to the person near you, “I’ve never attended this event before. What made you attend?” This is a good start to a conversation that can open the door for more ongoing dialog.

Have a Pleasant Personality
Everyone enjoys talking to happy people. When initiating a conversation, ensure your tone is pleasant and you’re wearing a smile.

It Takes Two
Effective communication involves talking and listening by both parties. A monologue, in either direction, is not a conversation. Don’t dominate the discussion. Try to achieve a balance between talking and listening. Strive to not interrupt. Hold your thought until he/she is finished speaking.

Relate
It’s helpful to choose a relatable topic. Commiserating with another when you’re stuck in a long grocery line, sitting in the waiting room of a doctor’s office, or sitting on a bus in traffic are frustrating moments and can be a great way to make small talk. To build rapport add a little humor such as “Is it Friday yet?” We tend to communicate with others when we share a common link.

Avoid Controversial Topics
Keep touchy topics to yourself. Small talk is not the time to carry on a conversation about religion, politics, money, or your health. Ever. Stick to neutral topics like the weather or a recent event.

Go Deeper into the Topic
Rather than jumping from topic to topic, stick with the subject at hand and discuss it at a deeper level. Topics such as sports, travel, movies, and books tend to be ideal subjects to take the conversation to another level.

Refrain from Jokes
Your humor may not match another’s humor. Avoid telling a joke. It can be an instant conversation killer.

Ask Questions
Embrace the conversation even though you may not understand everything he/she is saying. When you don’t understand exactly what the person is sharing, ask him/her what they mean by this or that. Most people will appreciate your interest and happily offer more information. Asking questions is an excellent way to show you’re listening and want to learn more.

Don’t Correct
Small talk is about building relationships with others, not acting as an authority. Hold your tongue and respect what they have to say, even if you don’t agree. This is a great way to show empathy and gain a better understanding of his/her point of view.

Don’t Get Too Personal
Small talk is meant to be casual and informal. You risk offending the person if you get too personal. Developing relationships takes time, and if you make a connection, chances are you’ll have the opportunity to get to know him/her on a deeper level.

Have Patience
Developing your small talk ability, like any skill, takes time. Whether you’re an introvert or extravert, small talk is an art that takes practice to perfect. Practice with family and co-workers. Ask them for feedback and have patience. Before long, you’ll add small talk to your soft skills repertoire.

READ ARTICLE ON ASAP WEBSITE

The post The Art of Small Talk and Its Benefits to Your Career appeared first on Polished..

CLICK HERE TO VIEW.

The post How To Be A Better Listener appeared first on Polished..

We’ve all experienced a conversation we’ve had with a co-worker, a boss, or client that simply didn’t go well. We knew the message we wanted to convey and hopefully the outcome, but because we didn’t communicate it effectively, we sent a mixed message that ultimately led to confusion, frustration or conflict. Our communication style lacked assertiveness. Chances are if we communicated in a more assertive manner, the result would be likely different.

Our self-esteem can impact the way we send and receive messages. Individuals with low self-esteem tend to communicate in a passive way. Others might think they are superior to everyone else, resulting in an aggressive communications style.

“The only healthy communication style is assertive communication.”

~ John Rohn

Communicating assertively conveys confidence and allows you to convey your message in a calm, respectful, positive way without upsetting others or becoming upset. When communicating assertively, you’re expressing your thoughts, opinions, feelings, attitudes, and rights in an open, honest way.

Communication Style – Example

Passive – “I’ll take on four more projects, even though I have too much work on my plate and am feeling quite stressed.”
Aggressive – “No way I’m taking on all these projects. Can’t you see I’m already overloaded with work? Do it yourself!”
Assertive – “I’ve evaluated that my workload is close to full. Can we split these projects up or change their due dates?”

Assertive communication is not passive and it’s not aggressive. Rather, communicating assertively is the language of leadership. It helps build trust and respect, solve differences, promote problem solving and strengthen workplace relationships.

Follow these essentials to assertive communication:

Use Positive Body Language

Your body language should sync and reinforce your verbal communications.

• Make eye contact
• Speak clearly and calmly
• Keep your tone of voice even
• Keep your physical stance open; avoid crossing arms and legs
• Respect personal space and keep a comfortable distance apart, which is approximately three feet

Use “I” Statements
We are most likely to retain the goodwill of the person with whom we’re communicating if we keep to our own thoughts and beliefs so that it focuses on your need. One way to do this is to use “I” statements expressed in a specific and direct way. For example, “I will need more time to finish this project. Can you approve my request?”

Be Clear, Specific, and Direct
When communicating a request, ensure your ask is direct and to the point. For example, “Please have that letter finished by today. If that’s not possible, please let me know when I will receive it.” rather than “Do you think it will be complete some time today?”

Avoid No-no Words

When speaking clearly and assertively, avoid the following words:

• I’ll try
• Ought to
• Should have
• Must
• Always
• Never

For example, rather than saying, “I’ll try to get back to you later.” Say, “I’ll call you back by 4 p.m. (Of course, make sure you return the call by 4 p.m.) This allows you to be clear and direct and avoid any misunderstanding.

Speaking assertively takes practice and self-control. When opting for this style of communication, you’ll be recognized as a confident professional who not only manages stress well but one who acknowledges his or own needs and feelings while showing respect to his/her co-workers, too. You’re communicating the language of leadership!

READ ARTICLE ON ASAP WEBSITE

The post Assertive Communications: The Language of Leadership appeared first on Polished..

The post Tips to Being the Perfect Houseguest appeared first on Polished..

Today’s workplace is like no other. For the first time in history, five generations work together in the same office; this means you could find yourself working side-by-side with co-workers who are older than you by 40 or 50 years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2024 it’s estimated that 25 percent of the workforce is projected to be over 55 years old. People in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s also are choosing to work either full or part time (because they must or want to). This growing trend has resulted in a blend of generations in the workplace.

With this span of age diversity comes a variety of individual work styles and characteristics such as values, work ethics, expectations, motivations, levels of commitment and more. Working among generational differences can make it challenging to get things done – but it doesn’t have to be. Focusing on the talents and expertise each generation brings to the worktable can make for a harmonious, productive work environment.

“Managing multigenerational workforces is an art.
Young workers want to make a quick impact,
the middle generation needs to believe in the mission,
 and the older employees don’t like ambivalence.”

                                                            ~ Harvard Business School

It begins with you. Understanding and supporting each generation and recognizing how your generation may be perceived by co-workers in other age groups can help your communication, interaction and job effectiveness. This is an exciting time to be in the workplace. Considering the blend of intergenerational work styles is an ideal way to leverage different perspectives and accomplish business goals and objectives.

Here are five strategies for thriving within a multigenerational work environment:

Respect Each Other

No matter your age or rank, respecting each other’s differences is the foundation of productive and happy work relationships. Everyone wants to feel respected. Invite a co-worker from a different generation to lunch to learn more about each other’s interests, career goals and experiences. After all, we can learn from each other, and it’s bound to be an enjoyable lunch!

Understand Communication Styles
Not everyone may share your generational communication style. Being adept at adjusting the way you communicate is an important skill to master to ensure your messages are understood. Communicating in acronyms and jargon, for example, may be easily grasped by younger generations but may not be the best way to convey your message to older groups. Being mindful and thoughtful in your communications is often the first step to career growth.

Don’t Stereotype

We all can fall short from time to time with respect to stereotyping. For example, baby boomers may think millennials lack people skills, because they’re so focused on technology. On the other hand, millennials may feel baby boomers are too rigid, old-fashioned and have a difficult time adapting to change. The ideal approach is to pay attention to the generational attributes and differences everyone has to offer.

Invest in Yourself

Every generation can benefit from professional development. Engage in trainings that will not only add value to your career but are applicable to all generations. Developing cross-generational skills and collaboration set the stage for success.

Be Flexible

Research suggests that flexibility makes you more responsive to change and is a key leadership skill. Being flexible also allows you to build your mindfulness “muscle” with a better level of understanding of multigenerational differences and work styles. Understand the importance of flexibility by practicing this skill at work and home. You’ll realize it’s an essential lifelong skill and leads to a healthier you.

Today, many workplaces are comprised of five generations.

1. Silent Generation (also called Traditionalists): born before 1946
2. Baby Boomers: born between 1946 and 1965
3. Generation X: born between 1966 and 1976
4. Generation Y or Millennials born between 1977 and 1997
5. Generation Z: born after 1997

READ ARTICLE ON ASAP WEBSITE

The post Blending a Multigenerational Workplace appeared first on Polished..

WATCH VIDEO

The post Top Five Table Manners for Kids appeared first on Polished..

So how does one breakup with etiquette and grace? We brought in our resident etiquette expert Nancy Schnoebelen Imbs from Polished to offer tips to dissolving a relationship in the kindest, most compassionate way.

WATCH VIDEO

The post Ask the Expert: Break Up Expert appeared first on Polished..

With teams at the core of corporate strategy, your success as a company can often depend on how well you and other team members collaborate. According to a Gallup study, teams with high employee engagement rates are 21 percent more productive and have 28 percent less internal theft than those with low engagement.

Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi defined teamwork as “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” In effect, teamwork is essential to accomplish the overall objectives and goals of an organization.

Follow these ground rules to ensure you’re a consummate team player.

1. Be Constructive: Show respect, fairness, and honesty in all communications – always.
2. There’s No “I” in Team: Encourage opinions and discussions from all members.
3. Keep an Open Mind: Be open to new approaches and listen to new ideas.
4. You Can Count on Me: Be a reliable team member who follows through and gets the work done well each time, every time.
5. Listen Actively: A team members needs the discipline to listen first and speak second so meaningful dialogue results.
6. It’s All Good: Change is constant. Look at conflict and change positively.
7. Huddle Room: Create a space where employees can collaborate.
8. We Did It!: Celebrate accomplishments and milestones together.

Contact Polished, today to fine-tune your team-building skills and become more successful in your career.

The post Teamwork – Do You Have What It Takes? appeared first on Polished..