YOU DO YOU
Let’s Talk About … Talking
Talking. We do it often, all the time even, but we rarely have time to think about it, even when (especially when) we’re actually doing it. There’s simply no time!
According to How We Talk, one of the books featured below, most people give themselves the timeframe of a blink (200 milliseconds) to answer a question.
That’s hardly long enough to consider all the aspects that make up a solid exchange, including, but not limited to:
- What we just said
- What our conversational partner(s) just said
- What we’re about to say
Secret 1: Conversation = A Common Goal
The book: How We Talk: The Inner Workings of Conversation, by N. J. Enfield
When you engage in conversation, argues Enfield, you agree to work with the other person toward a common goal. In her delightful Chapter 2 summary, Cathey Armillas summarizes the concept as follows:
“You can compare a conversation to taking a walk with someone. You are walking side-by-side in the same direction at the same time. As in walking, people will tend to correct or self-correct to keep things moving smoothly and coherently. Same in conservation.”
Secret 2: Specificity fuels conversation
The book: Conversationally Speaking: Tested New Ways to Increase Your Personal and Social Effectiveness, by Amanda Goodwin Caporaletti and Alan Garner
Caporaletti and Garner advise readers to use specific positives when giving feedback or compliments. Instead of stating that you generally like someone’s business plan, list the specific aspects you appreciate about it.
Secret 3: Absolutes are absolutely dull
The book: The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Quick, & Magnetic, by Patrick King
King says absolutes are hard to answer and contemplate. You know these kinds of closed-end questions and comments: Alien is the best movie of all time. Jacque is the smartest person at work. What’s your favorite book? What’s your favorite place to eat? Etc.
He describes the harrowing experience of conversing with an “absoluter.”
“It was a tortuous conversation full of long pauses and subsequent judgments of my tastes and opinions.”
King says too many absolute questions interrupt the sweet, sweet flow of conversation. You might as well ask people to complete math problems.
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GET MORE SH*T DONE
Create a company wiki
A wiki, according to Merriam Webster, is a website that allows visitors to make changes, contributions, or corrections.
In terms of company collaboration, wikis are like friendlier, more democratic intranets. They make information and documentation easier for anyone to post and easier for anyone to find.
Why is this important? Most people are swimming through information and still struggling to find exactly what they need. According to a McKinsey & Company analysis, many modern workers spend up to 19% of their weeks just “searching and gathering information.” Ouch.
Help everyone save time and get more sh*t done with your very own internal wiki. Document 360 has your comprehensive guide.
Not ready to dive in? Browse a list of 5 user favorite wiki services to explore the possibilities.
TOGETHER WITH BONUSLY
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LEVEL UP
Doodle your way to proactivity
Managers laud the ability to be proactive. Job descriptions demand it. Employee reviews gush about it.
But what if you’ve never been labeled “proactive” and you want to be? “Just be proactive” is hardly helpful advice. You need something less vague and more actionable.
Start being more proactive right now by sketching out your Circle of Influence and your Circle of Concern.
- Make a list of all the things you’re worried about
- Draw 2 circles, one labeled “Concern” and the other “Influence”
- Sort through your list of worries:
- Place items outside your control into the Concern circle
- Place items within your control into the Influence circle
- Look at the distribution of worries
- Do you have more items in one circle vs another?
- Consider what changes you can make to ensure you have more items in the Influence circle
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