Michael Rosenthal, Managing Partner, Consensus
Sharing Critical Feedback
Being the bearer of bad news is neither fun nor easy. Successful managers tend to be direct (although not harsh) early on in the conversation.
Boosting Sales
To be successful these days, salespeople have to be creative problem solvers—advice and expertise win business nowadays, rather than simply the product or service the salesperson represents.
My Organization Downsized, and My Workload Upsized
Although you have self-interests, your conversation on the subject with your supervisor should be mindful of the collective interests of your department, including those of your boss.
Addressing Mistakes
Employ a “neutral” strategy to help focus the conversation on the issue rather than on the person and avoid eliciting a defensive response. This also will facilitate a more exploratory and comprehensive analysis of the situation.
Managing Cultural Differences
Accepting that your way isn’t objectively best for everyone can go a long way toward improving communication with your colleagues around the globe.
Dividing the Workload
Left unaddressed, issues such as fairly divvying up workplace tasks can fester and worsen. The solution lies in a conversation that features active listening and a willingness to be open to others’ perspectives.
Mediating Conflict
Through effective mediation, workplace conflict can be not only resolved but also a valuable source of information that leads to organizational improvement.
Overcoming Performance Anxiety
When we get anxious, blood flows away from the parts of the brain that help us think creatively, evaluate effectively, and make sound decisions.