Recently, we had a solar power system installed at our house. While I was busy downloading the app that you need to manage the system, the project manager literally took my phone out of my hand and said, "Let me do it, I know how."
Can you be assertive without being seen as aggressive or arrogant? In this week's #MTtalk Twitter chat, we're going to discuss what the difference is and how to tell
"Ah, Keith, quick word. Late notice, I know, but I need that [insert complicated, dreary task here!] done before the weekend, not by the end of next week. Sorry." Terminator-style, my mind processes a series of responses: "******* typical! As if I haven't got enough on my ****** plate! I'll just reschedule my entire week […]
No: A Cultural Conundrum I read a few studies recently that analyzed how different cultures view and use the word "No." Reading these research papers emphasized the fact that we don't all see it the same way, and we don't all value a straight-up, honest "No." For example, one study referred to a specific culture […]
"Sorry Rachel, could I just interrupt briefly?" "Right, yes, sorry Aaron. Go ahead." "Sorry, I just thought we were working towards a March completion on this project? Sorry if I've got that wrong." Sound familiar? Saying "sorry" when we don't really need to can be a difficult habit to break. Perhaps you don't even notice […]
"You know what, Simon? I think they should fire you for what you've done." As conversational gambits go, it was a showstopper. It certainly stopped me in my tracks. I began to panic. I couldn't talk. I tried to breathe normally. This was going to be a more difficult conversation than I thought. Introducing Ralph… It […]
