Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

Author: Karl Edwards

  • Listen In -> Awkward Communication #5: The Diplomat

    Some people are so nice that no difficult decisions ever get made.

    Instead of focusing on the issue at hand, these people are concerned that everyone involved is happy. Nice but ineffective. Safe but exasperating.

    There are important advantages to having strong diplomatic skills. One can communicate difficult news more effectively. One can keep dialogue going with impossible personalities. The list goes on.

    There comes a point, though, when the diplomat’s need for smooth waters and happy people supercedes actual effectiveness.

    For example, when it comes time to make an important decision that is going to upset some people, the diplomat will postpone the decision in hopes of creating an alternative with which everyone will beg happy. For time or opportunity sensitive decisions, such prevarication can be costly.

    Is there a way to weigh the costs and benefits of choosing to be the diplomat? Are you diplomatic out of a professional conviction that such a course is the most constructive or out of a need to avoid conflict, disagreements and bargaining?

    Listen in.

    Just now joining the conversation? Catch up on the entire series here.

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #39


    Unexpected smiles are often reward enough.

     

    Karl Edwards

  • Loving Monday: On Guard!

    loving_monday“Wait a minute! The week hasn’t even begun, and I feel like I’m under seige.”

    There are demands coming from several fronts. There are complaints echoing off the walls. There are attacks spewing from your small and mean-spirited co-workers.

    Before you even have a chance to implement any game plan of your own, you’re knocked off balance and reeling from what feels like an assault on all sides.

    Demands, complaints and attacks are not unusual workplace dynamics. But when they all come at once it can be overwhelming.

    Instead of your usual calm and measured poise, you find yourself angry, defensive, and ready to strike back.

    This is the moment when you need to set down the phone, step outside, and walk around the block three times.

    The first trip around the block is for venting. Wave your arms in the air. Kick a tree or two. Shout out all those colorful adjectives that describe everyone else so (more…)

  • Quote to Consider: Learning from Mistakes

    quote-to-consider“Learn from the mistakes of others – you can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”

    Martin Vanbee

  • Thought Leaders Unpacked -> The Answer to How is Yes #5: Sustaining the Touch of Intimacy

    thought-leadersIntimacy is an awkward word to use in the context of the workplace.

    We usually associate intimacy with romantic relationships, family relationships, and close friendships… in that order.

    Block highlights the importance of this human, relational, connected, interactive, interdependent reality of working with other people.

    As you know, I have long counted “Intimacy” as one of the five fundamental “Cries For Life” that, when working with people, we need to account for. So I was very excited to jump headlong into this subject.

    I came away from this chapter a bit hungry still.

    I thought Block did a better job warning of the dangers of virtual relationships, marketing based relationships, and digital isolation than he did of proposing strategies and ideas for building intimacy into one’s workplace relationships and culture.

    Having said that, I did come away thinking hard myself.

    The issue of showing up versus hiding at work arose for me. I can choose whether to bring myself fully to my work and the other team members or I can (more…)

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #38


    Practicing his serious voice while driving.

     

    Karl Edwards

  • Listen In -> Awkward Communication #4: The Nagger

    Is there anything more annoying than a supervisor that doesn’t trust you? They hover over your shoulders, check in repeatedly, and ask petty follow-up questions so often that there’s hardly time to act upon the previous interruption.

    We call this person the nagger.

    Maybe this person is you!

    The problem is different depending who on the team is the nagger.

    When you are the nagger, you would be well-advised to take another look at its “effectiveness” as a communication approach.

    When your boss or someone else on the team is the nagger, then you have to explore what drives their need to nag. Once you understand where they’re coming from, you’ll be better positioned to communicate why it doesn’t work with you.

    Listen in. (Before you go crazy!)

    Just now joining the conversation? Catch up on the entire series here.

  • Quote to Consider: Choosing Boldly

    quote-to-consider“When you cannot make up your mind between two evenly balanced courses of action, choose the bolder.”

    W. J. Slim

  • Listen In -> Awkward Communication #3: The Intimidator

    Some people begin communications with threats, manipulations, or posturing.

    These bullies shut down communication before it gets started.

    Intimidation is a tool of the insecure to head off discussion, criticism, and/or reservations.

    If this is you, then you are inadvertently robbing yourself of the expertise, passion and experience of those on your team.

    If this is your boss, you need to find a way to keep the conversation going without getting defensive or giving up.

    Many intimidators don’t consider themselves intimidating, and are mystified by the silent acquiescence of those around them. Other intimidators interpret the silence as affirmation and agreement, furthering their impression that they are right.

    Is there anything you can do?

    Listen in.

    Just now joining the conversation? Catch up on the entire series here.

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #37


    Meekly hoping insecure boss recognizes initiative.

     

    Karl Edwards