Communication Archives

How to Identify & Leverage Different Problem-Solving Styles

What approach do you take to problem-solving? What if you could figure out the approach other people take and use that information to influence them? Some people tend to stick with one way to address problems. Others gravitate toward new ways of tackling issues. Influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet explains how you can identify a person’s dominant problem-solving style and communicate with them in a language they understand. Keep reading for Charvet’s tips along with some supplemental advice from workplace coach John Whitmore.

How to Motivate People at Work: The 6 Motivation Patterns

Do you have a hard time getting your team members or colleagues to enthusiastically engage in a new project? Does it seem like they’re on a page that doesn’t even exist in your book? According to influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet, if you learn how someone is motivated, you can consciously match their frame of reference and speak in a language they understand. She discusses six motivation patterns in a workplace context, but you can use her insights in any setting. Continue reading to learn how to motivate people at work by speaking their motivation language.

How to Communicate With Big-Picture vs. Detail-Oriented People

Do you tend to see the forest or the trees? What if people around you see things differently than you do? Each individual makes sense of the world in a unique way. One area in which people usually fall into one category more than another is the way they view things—either in broad strokes or in fine detail. In turn, this informs the way they operate. Shelle Rose Charvet explains how to communicate with both types. Read more to understand big-picture vs. detail-oriented people and speak their language.

The 6 Best Books for Writers to Read: Fuel Your Creative Fire

Are you a writer or an aspiring writer? What’s on your reading list? Writers are readers. It’s beneficial for writers to read all sorts of books—fiction and nonfiction alike. But, for those who seriously seek to hone their craft and find encouragement from people who’ve been there, a few must-reads rise to the top. Discover our list of the best books for writers to read.

How to Seek Feedback From People Who Support You

How does good feedback push you toward your goals? Where should you go to seek feedback? According to How Champions Think by Bob Rotella, you should look for supportive people who genuinely want you to succeed for advice. They won’t try to tear you down, but they’ll also give you honest and constructive feedback that you need. Find out how to get the feedback you need to hear.

How to Recognize Stress Personalities & Speak Their Language

The 25 Cognitive Biases: Doubt Avoidance Tendency

How do you respond to stress? If someone wants to persuade you of something when you’re stressed, what tack should they take? In Words That Change Minds, Shelle Rose Charvet discusses two basic stress personalities. She explains how you can identify someone’s stress personality and speak to them in an influential way in the midst of a stressful situation. Keep reading to learn about the two basic stress personalities and how to get through to people and even influence them during times of stress.

Patrick Lencioni: Trust Means More Than You Might Think

Do your team members feel like they can be completely open with you and each other? Or, do they tend to guard themselves and be careful about what they share? According to Patrick Lencioni, trust is foundational to team performance. He has written two books about the dysfunctions of teams. The first dysfunction is a lack of trust among team members. He explains what he means by trust, why it’s critical, and how to build it. Keep reading to learn about team trust.

Mastering Conflict in Teams: How to Overcome Dysfunction #2

Do your team members know how to handle disagreements in a constructive way? Or, do they let conflict build up until it explodes? In Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team, renowned business consultant Patrick Lencioni says that, once you’ve tackled Dysfunction #1 (the absence of trust), you can take on Dysfunction #2: a fear of conflict. When it’s managed well, conflict is healthy for teams. Continue reading to learn Lencioni’s advice for mastering conflict in teams.

Self-Preoccupied vs. Interpersonally Aware: Spot the Difference

What’s the difference between self-preoccupied people and interpersonally aware people? How can you influence both types? In Words That Change Minds, communication and influencing language expert Shelle Rose Charvet explains the difference between these two wirings. She contends that, if you learn how someone thinks, you can consciously match their frame of reference and speak in a language they understand. Keep reading to understand both self-preoccupation and interpersonal awareness and how to interact effectively with both types.

How to Overcome the Avoidance of Accountability in a Team

How much do people get away with on your team? Which is more effective—accountability from managers or colleagues? Patrick Lencioni addresses the issue of accountability in both of his books about team dysfunctions, identifying the avoidance of accountability as the fourth dysfunction. He says that it’s much easier to call people out on results than behaviors, but the latter is far more important. Continue reading for Lencioni’s advice on overcoming the avoidance of accountability in a team.