communication
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Language Differences and the Challenge of Communication Miscommunication happens all the time in our collocated teams, so you can imagine how much it happens when we communicate across international boundaries with people for whom English is not a first language. By understanding language differences, you'll have a better chance of communicating effectively. |
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Dealing with a Manager Who Says Everything Is Urgent If your boss regularly wants something done immediately, regardless of whether the matter is truly top priority, you're in the unenviable position of being perpetually "ASAP'd." To break the cycle of dropping everything for inconsequential tasks, you may need to try managing your manager. Read on for ideas. |
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The Best Way to Communicate Project Quality Concerns When you encounter quality concerns in a project, it's important to let management know. But building an overly detailed list of faults and shortcomings undermines the impact of the important points and muddles communication. To effectively convey the crucial issues, you have to prioritize. |
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The Art of Giving Feedback Your Team Will Act On Giving good feedback is hard. A common pattern we follow—especially when we have to give negative feedback—is starting with something positive, addressing the problem, and ending with something else positive. But it turns out this "feedback sandwich" method isn't the most effective. Here are some better ways. |
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Navigating the Culture of Global Organizations Many companies have very strong cultures and expect employees to embrace their values and view of the world. That can be difficult enough in familiar cultures, but in today's connected world, you may interact with colleagues all over the globe. Understanding their norms and communication styles is essential. |
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Finding the Truth in Testing through Folk Tales and Fairy Stories When we test, we build fictions in our minds. We make thought experiments about what the product or system might do, what we could expect the results of an action to be, what they should be, and how they might go wrong. Isabel Evans shows us why you're never too old for folk tales and fairy stories. |
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Overcoming Arguments in the Workplace Too often when we argue in the workplace, we stop listening, and our singular goal becomes having our way. But if we can maintain control, we can rationally present our position and allow the other parties to present theirs. In the process, everyone has a chance reach an improved understanding. |
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How (and How Not) to Say Thank You at Work The fact that there are so many sites dedicated to how you should show thanks at work indicates that people are often confused on the subject. But expressing your gratitude to managers, employees, and coworkers doesn't need to be difficult. Naomi Karten gives examples of what you should—and shouldn't—say. |
