Laura Benjamin's Communication Tips Ezine

In This Issue: Wish you'd known more about yourself a
little bit sooner in life? Me too. Please read on...

COMMUNICATION TIPS: An online resource for those who
want to improve interpersonal communication skills
from Laura Benjamin, Colorado Communication Coach

Welcome to our many new subscribers including the
great folks from Matrix Design Group Engineering

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Last month's article, "The Courage to Be Yourself"
hit home for quite a few readers, including...
"I just had to write and tell you how much I enjoyed
this newsletter. I loved The Courage to be Yourself.
It was a great article and a timely one for me. Thanks
for the wonderful newsletters." C.D.

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IN THIS ISSUE: December 18, 2007
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1. Teamwork Quotes
2. Article: Wish I'd Known More a Whole Lot Sooner
3. Communication Quirks and Quandaries
4. Discussion Point #11: Glass Ceiling for All
5. Resources
6. The End

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1. TEAMWORK QUOTES
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"Sometimes being a team player means sitting on the
bench." --heard on the TV show, The Closer

More at www.LauraBenjamin.com/teamworkquotes.htm

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2. ARTICLE: Wish I'd Known More About Myself a Lot Sooner
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Do you ocasionally look back on your life, slap your
forehead and say, "I wish I'd had a V8?" Whoops, wrong
article...let's try this again.

Do you ever have moments of clarity as you look back over
the years and realize, THAT'S why I took that job, quit
that company, chose that career or married that person?

Sure, we get more insights about ourselves and the
choices we've made the older we get. Don't you wish you'd
figured it out a little sooner? I sure do.

So here are some tips to help you, or someone you care
about come to some of those realizations a bit sooner....

1. You're in the job you're in because it meets a need
that goes beyond the paycheck. It could be due to the
importance of the service your company provides, the
kind of people you work with (or for), the challenges
that test your brain, learning opportunities, pace,
recognition, or ways you influence others. Before you
get too far into 2008, take a quiet moment to ask
yourself what needs are getting met in your present
job and which ones are not. Then ask yourself, "Is it
worth it?" If yes - be happy and appreciate what you've
got. If no - brush up the resume and start networking.

2. You're in the relationships you're in because they
also meet your needs - and these can be healthy or
unhealthy needs, by the way. Look back on all the
relationships you've been in, both personal and
professional. List the needs that were met and those
that were unmet. List the needs that were voiced and
those you never spoke up about. Any trends, repeats?

3. Make a list of all the activities you like to do.
(No, not thaat!) They can be work related, just for fun,
hobbies, volunteer roles, etc. Then see if you can spot
the common themes you find in each. Put a date at the
top of your list, then do it again in six months. Do
you notice any similarities, ah-hah's or insights? I
sure did. (Examples from my list: writing, teaching,
coaching, outdoors activities, work with small groups,
helping others understand and apply the benefits of
certain things, etc.) Next time you're tempted to
take on a new activity or responsibility, bump it up
against your list so you get some benefits from it.

4. Ask people you trust to give you feedback. (This
is not an opportunity for them to get even - this is
constructive feedback) Ask them to tell you...

- what kind of communication style do you think I use?
- how could I be a better boss, parent, spouse or friend?
- how do you see me making a difference for others?
- when am I at my best? why?
- what experiences would you like to see me have in 2008?
- what one talent do you think I minimize or downplay?

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3. Communication Quirks and Quandaries
=========================================
Last month, I shared my story about hearing these words
from a front desk technician: "Well, I don't know WHO
you talked to, BUT..."

We all know that what comes next is not always in the
customer's best interest. Then the kicker at the end was,
"Well, we'll do it for you JUST this once..."

That example prompted my friend Sammy to write in...

"Laura, my other favorite is to have the person answer
the phone with, 'Good morning, may I place you on hold?'
and then, without waiting for a reply, promptly place me
on hold. This is made even better by the statement,
'Thank you for holding!' when they do come back on line.
Sheesh!"

Now, I've covered the phones in many previous jobs and
know how busy it can get. But it never gets THAT busy to
throw courtesy out the window. At least have the patience
to wait one second longer for the caller to agree to be
placed on hold before doing so. Oh, and another tip to
make it easier on the customer? When you return to the
line and take them off "hold", thank them for "waiting",
not for "holding".

Got a communication quirk or quandary you'd like to share?
Please don't be shy - please send it in!

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4. Discussion Point #11: Glass Ceiling for All
=========================================
You've probably heard the term, "glass ceiling" as a way
to describe the barriers that women report keeps them
from reaching senior level positions. Increasing numbers
of new entrepreneurs report that this glass ceiling was
the primary reason why they decided to leave their jobs
and start small businesses.

I'm wondering if there is also a "glass ceiling" for
men who don't display the "right" type of personality
style. Perhaps they are more low-key, easy going, quiet
and soft spoken. Perhaps they're perceived as not being
aggressive enough or decisive enough. Yet, Jim Collins'
research while writing "From Good to Great" revealed
that successful companies usually had one of those
steady, low key folks at the helm when they achieved
and maintained new heights.

Discussion Questions:

- What barriers keep good people from contributing
all they are capable of within organizations?
- Is the "glass ceiling" real or do you think it's an
excuse to justify poor performance?
- How do organizations suffer when people feel there are
barriers - cultural or otherwise - that keep them down?

Whaddya think?

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5. Resources
=========================================
Hard Facts, Dangerous Half Truths & Total Nonsense:
Profiting from Evidence-Based Management by Jeffrey
Pfeffer and Robert I. Sutton, Harvard Business School
Press. Finally, a book that views common beliefs about
effective management with healthy skepticism, including:
- Is work fundamentally different from the rest of life
and should it be?
- Do the best organizations have the best people?
- Do financial incentives drive company performance?
- Strategy is destiny?
- Change or die?
- Are great leaders in control of their companies?
If you're tired of platitudes and "flavor of the month"
assumptions that folks seem to swallow whole, you'll
absolutely love this book. I'm purchasing copies for
my clients.

Listen in to complimentary audio podcast programs

Read Laura's Recent Blog Posts:
- Women Who Speak Up
- Cyber Bullying Must Stop

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6. The End...
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© 2007 Laura Benjamin, All rights reserved. You are free to use
material from the Communication Tips eZine in whole or in part,
as long as you include complete attribution, including live web
site link. Please also notify me where the materials appear.
The attribution should read:

"By Laura Benjamin, Colorado Communication Coach. Please visit
Laura's website at www.LauraBenjamin.com for complimentary
articles, blogs and audio podcast programs on interpersonal
communication skills and how to deal with difficult people."
(Please be sure the link is live in Ezines or on websites.)

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my friends and those
who I've not yet met!
Laura Benjamin - Colorado Communication Coach
http://www.LauraBenjamin.com

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