But… Don’t Say It!
“Buts” are everywhere… in our daily language. Rarely are they helpful. Read this article to take a good look at the buts in your speech.
Authenticity
Be a Guardian of Dignity – For Yourself and For Others
@Cudenverombuds Lisa Neale writes about dignity – how we can violate or stand up for other people’s dignity – and the benefits of standing up for others. #dignity
What is this feeling?!
I recently facilitated a team building meeting in person for the first time since March 2020. I have worked with groups by facilitating conflict, team building, engaging in change management, facilitating strategic planning and decision making… and on and on… for the past 10 years. I have built a familiarity and comfort working with groups …
The Magic of Professionalism, Courtesy & Collaboration
@CUDenverOmbuds Melissa Connell shares a personal experience and the skills that can help any workplace in this #Ombuzz blog post. #professionalism #courtesy #collaboration
Radical Candor
It’s that season again, where confusion abounds, anxiety is high, and frustration is available to all! Nope, not talking about spring…it’s performance evaluation season (cue the applause and jubilation)! In a recent survey I conducted with a school on campus, here were some of the descriptors about performance evaluations: ‘waste of time,’ ‘doesn’t help me …
Why it is Important to Embrace the Mess!
My friend is a home contractor. Clients once called him and said, “We need you to fix our kitchen cabinets.” During the walk through, my friend identified that the cabinets aren’t the problem. The problem is underneath the floor. If they want to eliminate the issues going forward, they need to address that and the …
Listening When You Don’t Agree
Many of us know the ‘active listening’ techniques of paraphrasing, asking curious questions, using our body language (e.g., eye contact, nodding, relaxed body posture, etc.) Though we might know what to do, it is amazing how often we don’t actually follow through on these behaviors day to day. Here are several benefits when you demonstrate …
Want to Improve Your Work Culture? Adopt a Ritual!
Why do we gather together to remember a loved one when they’ve died? Why do we say vows at a wedding? Why do we give toasts at Thanksgiving? These are all examples of rituals we regularly participate in, often without thinking. They are part of our culture and are a physical representation of the psychological …
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Getting What You Want Through Intentional Communication
Getting to know Nonviolent Communication, Part 1 As a conflict resolution practitioner, I regularly see people reacting toward, withdrawing from, or attacking others when they feel they are in conflict. Then, when the other person responds either poorly, or not at all, to those tactics, the conflict escalates. It is amazing how ineffective these approaches …
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Saying No Respectfully, Even In The Face Of Disrespect
Do you get a gut-wrenching feeling when you know you need to tell someone no? Part of the difficulty in saying no, according to William Ury, a negotiation specialist, is “the tension between exercising your power and tending to your relationship.” It’s a delicate balance to manage. Learning how to disagree without being disagreeable can …
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