communication

Are You Self-Absorbed? Learn to Listen

It can be a manager asking employees for their input, then proceeding with his own plan anyway. Or it could be going to a coworker with a problem, only to have her center on her own issues. Self-absorption takes many forms, and they're all bad. If you fit a description, learn how to focus outward and listen.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
To Use or Not to Use? Debating Clichés in Your Writing

It's hard not to speak in clichés at work; they're so ingrained in how we communicate, they just come out. But what about in your writing? Yes, clichés are overused, but there's a reason: Everyone knows what they mean. Should you use these perhaps worn-out phrases when you write, or is there a better way?

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Worried You Might Mumble? Here’s How to Speak Clearly

Feeling nervous, being afraid of saying the wrong thing, or just talking too quickly are some of the main reasons people mumble when they speak. Often, however, people don't even realize they're mumblers. If you think you may be one, read on to learn how to speak confidently and—of course—clearly.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Dealing with Know-It-Alls

A know-it-all is a person who is always ready with an unsolicited opinion—and a lengthy one, at that. Being on the receiving end of a lecture on something you don't care about or an uninvited correction is tedious at best. Naomi Karten provides ways to deal with a coworker or superior who's a know-it-all.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Are Most Leaders Liars?

With scandals hitting the headlines on a regular basis, it seems foolhardy to assume honesty among those in charge. As a result, leaders who truly are honest need to work harder to display evidence of the fact in order to gain the trust of those who look to them. Developing a culture of honesty is crucial.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
How to Tell if People Think You Talk Too Much

If you talk too much, you may not realize how much you annoy people. Of course, you also may not realize how much of the conversation you're actually dominating. Naomi Karten gives some social cues to be aware of and some self-examination practices so you can tell if you've unknowingly been gabbing too much.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Weasel Words: Translating Deceptive Corporate Language

We've all heard some clever corporate phrases. Just think of all the euphemisms we have for firing someone, such as "downsizing" or "streamlining operations." The goals of such weasel words, of course, are to obfuscate, deceive, and soften the meaning. How can you get to the heart of what's really being said?

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
The Challenge of Saying “I Don’t Know”

There’s a certain power in saying “I don’t know,” simply because it’s the truth. It can also be an opportunity to learn something new. But if the question is one you should have an answer to, those three words alone may not be enough. Naomi Karten gives some helpful alternatives to just saying "I don't know."

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten