Communication and career coach, writer, facilitator, professional public speaker in Colorado Springs near Denver. Contact Laura Benjamin at 719-266-8088.
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Struggling to communicate who you are, what you want, what you've done or what you can do for others?Perhaps I can help... |
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Laura Benjamin's "Communication Tips" Electronic Newsletter, June 6, 2008 Issue
LAURA BENJAMIN'S COMMUNICATION TIPS NEWSLETTER
(back by popular demand)
Welcome to new subscribers, including folks from the
Denver Metro Apartment Association, Pueblo Community
College, Colorado Auctioneers Association, National Assoc.
of Purchasing Management Southern Colorado, Better Business
Bureau of Southern Colorado, ABWA Express Network members,
Adams 12 Five Star Schools Bus Transportation, Denver, and
others.
You're a valued member of my referral only "friends and family"
newsletter list. If someone you know wants to join, please
ask them to complete this form and send it to me.
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IN THIS ISSUE: June 6, 2008
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1. Teamwork Quotes
2. Article: Cheerleader or Ringleader?
3. Discussion Point #12:
4. Helpful, Complimentary Resources
5. Shameless "You Know What"
6. The End...
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1. QUOTES
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"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of
the people who are evil, but because of the people who
didn't do anything about it." (Albert Einstein)
"I guess if a person didn't quit when the going got tough,
they wouldn't have anything to regret for the rest of their
life." (Lance Armstrong in the movie "Dodgeball")
"People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding
success because they don't know when to quit. Most men
succeed because they are determined to." (George Allen)
"The fewer rules a coach has, the fewer rules there
are for players to break." (John Madden)
"The road to Easy Street goes through the sewer."
(John Madden)
"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces
is likely the one who dropped it." (Lou Holtz)
"Leadership is getting someone to do what they don't want
to do, to achieve what they want to achieve." (Tom Landry)
"The difference between a successful person and others
is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but
rather in a lack of will." (Vince Lombardi)
More at LauraBenjamin.com/teamworkquotes.htm
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2. ARTICLE: Cheerleader or Ringleader?
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Do you have a "Cheerleader" on your team? How about a
"Ringleader"? What's the difference? A Cheerleader is a
person you can count on to provide encouragement, a smile
and constructive ideas. They are people others feel good
being around. They don't "blow smoke" or "kiss up", but
sincerely make an effort to improve actions and attitudes.
They have a lot of personal influence. When they talk,
people listen (kinda like E.F. Hutton!) They don't always
sit in the corner office or have a high falutin' title, but
their presence is powerful none the less.
A Ringleader is someone who also has a great deal of personal
influence. Yet this person uses it for destructive purposes.
They routinely stir the pot, get folks all riled up, encourage
divisiveness and have a chip on their shoulder. Even those
who call this person "friend" are afraid to stand up to him
or her. People walk on eggshells around them and find ways to
avoid them. Some even run to their manager, church leader,
executive director or mother and assert, "Please DO something!"
Ringleaders are a destructive force within any group. And it
takes a committed person to "channel" them differently.
How? By making a plan and guarding your own emotional well
being as you work your plan. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Create a "horror floor". Make a list of the worst
that could happen should you decide to confront them, coach
them or fire them. Normally nothing is ever as bad as we
imagine and listing words or actions that could occur may
help you see that the worst is probably not going to happen.
Step 2: Make your "home run" list. This is the list of words,
actions and results that would solve your problem and then
some. If you got everything you were hoping for, the whole
enchilada, so to speak, it would include these behavioral
changes.
Step 3: Draw a horizontal line across the paper. Along the
top of the line, draw a series of other lines extending upward
vertically and a number of lines extending downward. Your
diagram may now look like a fishbone.
Step 4: On the lines above, list all the interim action steps
that would indicate you're making constructive progress in
handling this situation. Steps might include:
-I got up the courage to have a conversation with her
-She listened to what I had to say without arguing
-He admitted I might have a point
-He thanked me for being concerned about him
-Coworkers have noticed she's easier to work with
etc.
Step 5: On the lines below, list all the potholes, roadblocks
or setbacks that could slow down or derail your progress. They
might include:
-She cancelled our meeting
-He refused to admit he's got an issue
-I had to issue a written warning
-She instigated another brouhaha among the staff
etc.
Benefits include the ability to help you...
- recognize when you're making positive progress so you don't
get discouraged or demoralized along the way
- know that two steps back often results in three steps ahead
- avoid giving up one minute shy of "the miracle"
- learn that it's rarely as bad as we think it is
- coach others how to create their own "fishbone" problem
solving continuum
- think objectively next time you face someone like this
- increase hope, optimism and positive thinking
- recognize your energy and efforts are not being wasted
Let me know what you think and how it turns out. I'm happy
to share the success stories and horror stories too!
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3. Discussion Point #12: Social Media Mania
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Social media like blogs and social networking sites like
Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are not just for teenagers.
Adults, business professionals, Fire Department Districts,
schools and even political candidates are now on board.
But do you ever wonder if it's much ado about nothing?
Discussion Questions:
- How are social networking sites changing the way we do
business, build relationships and manage conflicts? Or not?
- What if the Internet caught the flu and "died" tomorrow?
What struggles would people face? What changes would we
make? Would they be for better or worse, in your opinion?
- Do you think the popularity contests that spring up
around collecting the most "friends" or "contacts" on
social networking sites cheapens the value of relationships
or enhances them? Why or why not?
- If you have participated in social networking sites, what
value have you received? Would you recommend it to others?
Why or why not? Do you see better or different applications
for them in the future?
Whadya think? Send me your questions, comments, observations.
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4. Helpful, Complimentary Resources
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Read my entertaining and educational blog at
http://laurabenjamin.wordpress.com
You may need to access from your home computer
since 70% of organizations block these.
Most Popular Posts Include:
-Fastest Ways to Fail a Job Interview, Part 2
-Words Matter on Elk Hunting Trip Day 3
-U.S. Postal Service Bulk Mail Brouhaha
-Customer Comment Cards
-Cyber Bulling Must Stop
-Freedom Writers
Are you a reporter, journalist, blogger or author looking
for subject matter sources? Then please visit Peter Shankman's
"Help a Reporter" website at http://www.helpareporter.com
My most recently published articles are available for reprint.
Please visit: laurabenjamin.com/articles/communication.htm
Recent articles include:
-Why Keywords Still Matter in Your Mktg. Mix
-What's the Big Buzz About Blogging?
-How to Quantify Communication: Good Ways to Get Better Info
Listen to my downloadable Guest Expert Audio Interviews at
http://www.laurabenjamin.com/shows.htm
Know someone who grew up in Rochester NY? Tell them about
laurabenjamin.com/RochesterNYMemories.htm AND
our new Rochester NY Cardinal Mooney High School Blog at
http://cardinalmooneyhighschoolblog.com/
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5. Shameless "You Know What"
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- Jun 13-14, July 15-18, 21-25, Aug 25-27, Goodwill Industries
Work Culture Campaign, Employee and Management seminars, Grand
Junction, Canyon City, Colorado Springs CO
- July 20 HOLD, Strategic Planning Facilitation for construction
industry professional association, Denver CO
- Aug 1, Colorado's Falcon School District 49 Transportation
In-Service Teambuilder. (I'll have 'em walking blindfolded
through a maze! Call me if you want something similar for your
team building, retreat or in-service event)
- Sept 8-9, Vermont State SHRM Annual Conference (Society for
Human Resources Management), "The C.A.R.L.A. Concept: How to
Raise an Issue, Prove Your Point and Communicate with Confidence
and Clarity" and "How to Build a Positive Attitude and Resilience
to Change in Challenging Times", Burlington VT
- Oct 7, National Assoc. of Educational Procurement Conference
Keynote and Seminar, "The C.A.R.L.A. Concept", Colorado Springs CO
- Oct 11, Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities Executive
Board Strategic Planning Retreat facilitation, Denver CO
In between...
Private Communication, Career and Internet Mktg. Coaching
Partial client list: laurabenjamin.com/clients/list.htm
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December's article, "The Courage to Be Yourself" hit home
for quite a few readers, one who wrote to say:
"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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6. The End...
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© 2008 Laura Benjamin & Pinehurst Press Ltd. Communication and
Career Strategies. Some rights reserved. You may reprint articles
articles from this newsletter in whole or in part with attribution
and a live link to LauraBenjamin.com
PRIVACY POLICY: I never rent, trade or sell my email list to
anyone for any reason. You'll never get unsolicited email and
I'll not hound you with cold calls.
This is a referral based Friends and Family newsletter only. You
are welcome to refer it to people you feel would benefit. New
subscribers are asked to complete a double opt-in confirmation.
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Website: www.LauraBenjamin.com
Blog: http://laurabenjamin.wordpress.com
Office: 719-266-8088 Mountain Time
Copyright © 2001-2008 by Laura Benjamin and Pinehurst Press Ltd. All rights reserved.