Last week I worked with a client who will be on vacation this week. She’ll be at the beach with her family — and her Blackberry.  We talked a little bit about her plans to manage the amount of work she does while on vacation.  Her habit is to check e-mail once in the morning and then again late afternoon.  She does not take her Blackberry out with her during the day so she is not tempted to check it more often.

What’s your vacation workload management strategy?  I’m of the opinion that there is no right answer, only one that is right for you. Some people have no problem escaping the grip of email – if you are one of them this post is not for you!

Some ideas for those who do struggle: (more…)

TAGS: business communication, Communication Skills, coping skills, simplifying

Get better feedback by asking “what can I do more of?” or “what can I do differently to be even more effective?” rather than asking “how am I doing?” 

We at the Thin Pink Line get feedback that readers like the combination of “news you can use” and commentary on current events from women’s perspectives.  You too can get positive feedback about your communications if you follow the same guidelines Carol, Kathleen, Liz, and I use:  balance the big picture and the details.  We know that some people like ideas, concepts and theory while others like practical tools and tips, so we mix it up.  Here are 3 easy tips for how you can do the same for more powerful communications in your work setting:

1.  Prepare for every presentation you make — and remember that every time you open your mouth or prepare a written communique it’s a presentation.  Think about the two or three most important things you want people to take away and keep your message focused on just those.  You’ve heard me say it before: short sounds confident. 

2.  Do your homework.  My 7th grade science teacher, Hans Selye, used to tell us, “Chance favors the prepared mind.”  I never forgot that (and that was quite a while back!).  Regularly reading professional journals, newspapers, and magazines (my favorite is The Week) keeps your mind agile and open to new ideas.  It also helps make for sparkling party conversation.

3.  Brainstorm ideas with people who think differently than you.  If you know you’re an “idea person” who has difficulty communicating the tangible benefits of your ideas, talk to someone who’s good at it and ask for help in synthesizing your concepts for crisp communication.  Conversely, if you tend to get bogged down in the weeds, look to those who are always coming up with new ways of approaching old problems for help in assessing the bigger picture. 

Make yours a great week-end. 

TAGS: business communication, Communication Skills, influence with impact

When speaking before a group, use index cards, not paper — it won’t be as conspicuous if your hands begin to shake. 

While the food at the Chinese take-out restaurant we’ve been patronizing lately isn’t all that great, their fortune cookies are terrific.  My fortune the other night:

Doing what you like is freedom.  Liking what you do is happiness.

This bit of philosophy made me think of how very important it is to periodically reflect upon how happy you are with the work you do.  Of course, we all have bad days but, overall, you should be able to say that you enjoy the work you do – that, yes, it makes you happy.

If you can’t, perhaps it is a good time to figure out why – and then to change the situation.  Sometimes, you can negotiate for things that will increase your satisfaction, for example, a more challenging assignment or more resources to get the job done.  Or, if the problem is deeper, perhaps it’s time to make a different employment decision…

The main thing to keep in mind is that your career satisfaction matters most to you – nobody else, except perhaps your mom, cares that much.  Don’t let yourself down!

TAGS: career change, career goals, dealing with family expectations, Gratefulness, Leaving a bad boss or a job you hate, negotiation skills, personal brand building, personal development, ways to work healthy

A “yes” or “no” question requires a “yes” or “no” answer.  If you don’t know the answer, say “I don’t know at the moment but let me check and get back to you by the end of the day”  (or sooner if possible).

Why is it that so many Americans have a difficult time with smart, strong, and sometimes angry, Black women?   Has it ever occurred to them that Black women have good reason to be angry?  Comments like this one made by Ms. Obama, “For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country,” shouldn’t be feared or reviled but welcomed because they express what many others are thinking but are afraid to say.  Black women are more likely to be single Moms, live in poverty, and have a more difficult time getting their “corner offices” (forget about them getting the Oval Office for a while) than their White counterparts.  That alone would be enough to make me angry. 

As an executive coach I’ve seen first-hand the struggle Black women have in the workplace.  If they dare to express themselves in clear, no uncertain terms they’re labeled as “problem employees.”  Co-workers and management don’t quite know what to do with them.  But they’re not the problem, a society that wants all women — especially Black ones — to stay in their places with smiles on their faces is the problem.  Black women walk The Thin Pink Line every day — and more so than the rest of us. 

I guarantee you that Obama’s handlers, wanting to get their man elected, are going to expect Michelle to dumb down, quiet down, and settle down.  Laura Bush and Barbara Bush did.  Nancy Reagan exerted herself in stereotypically feminine ways that were acceptable.  And poor Pat Nixon just shrank into herself.  Even Hillary made herself scarce after the healthcare debacle.  Michelle scares people — and we need scaring.  Social change isn’t created by the meek but by the bold.  By those who have the courage to take risks and speak their minds.  Michelle’s voice will help not only Black women, but all Americans whose voices have been quieted by small minds with big mouths.  Whether or not you’re an Obama fan you should be encouraging Mrs. O to remain true to her beliefs and her values.  She’s out there widening the playing field for all of us. 

TAGS: Barbara Bush, Black women, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Nancy Reagan, Pat Nixon, women and anger

Make a business case for more women in your company or department by reading and quoting ”Why Women Mean Business” by Avivah Wittenberg-Cox and Alison Maitland. 

Greetings to all of the new Thin Pink Line subscribers from Australia!  I’ve just returned from 12 days ”down under” speaking with 1200+ women in Sydney, Canberra, the Gold Coast, Darwin, and Cairnes.  My trip was hosted by the Australia Institute of Management (AIM), a top notch organization devoted to providing professionals with training, ideas, publications, research, and assistance to help them achieve their career and leadership goals.  Not surprisingly, our Aussie sisters share the same concerns as their U.S. counterparts for wanting to get their “corner offices” with less hassle, break the glass ceiling, secure work/life balance, and have their say without fear of being called the dreaded “b-word.”  As Maya Angelou says, “In the end we’re all more the same than we are different, my friends.”

Australians were very interested in what happened to Hillary, especially since their female acting Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, is poised to lead their country in the not too distant future.  Australia is chock filled with other powerful women leaders making a difference in every aspect of society from the arts to securing rights for native aboriginals.

While there I met with the first quarter’s randomly selected winner of the Thin Pink Line’s free coaching session, Dianne Van Berlo (pictured here a bit fuzzy with yours truly).  Dianne at first declined the coaching session, thinking the distance would disqualify her, but you never know where we’ll show up and, as luck would have it, Australia was on the horizon.  We’ll soon be announcing the winner of the second quarter’s free coaching session so stayed tuned and, if you haven’t already, subscribe for daily updates!

TAGS: Aboriginals, AIM, Australia, Australia Acting Prime Minister, Australian Institute of Management, Australian Women, Julia Gillard, Maya Angelou

You can convey a sense of urgency and passion by using short sentences.  Go for it!  Let’s roll!  I’m on it!