Dianna Booher's Blog, page 36

7 Habits of Highly Obnoxious People

Let’s face it: Some people are off-putting. Unfortunately, they don’t self-identify. They simply blunder through life either a) clashing with people, embroiled in conflict after conflict or b) bouncing from relationship to relationship, lonely and confused about why they don’t have close friends.

A few things can alter the picture so that obnoxious people have difficulty seeing themselves as others do: money, power, position, and celebrity status. Often, those around obnoxious people will...

10 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block

Are you writing an important email? A lengthy sales report? A big proposal? A presentation or speech script? A book proposal or manuscript? Whatever the writing task, you may be facing a tight deadline and the last thing you need is writer’s block—that crippling feeling that nothing you write is right. Or worse, staring at the page or screen when nothing at all seems to flow from your brain to the screen.

Here are a few ways to trick your brain back into gear:

Start with, “I’m writing to...

6 Ways to Say “I don’t know” With Confidence, Credibility, and Class

Many professionals fear speaking to their boss or a roomful of strangers not because of the planned presentation, but for the unplanned: What if they ask me a question I can’t answer?

Even professional speakers can be so fearful of questions that they leave no time for Q&A sessions during their programs. Yet there’s nothing that builds credibility and showcases your expertise like responding to questions with confidence.

The first step is a confident mindset: Understand that no one has all...

Customer Service Communication Done Right: A USAA Salute!

Heaven knows I’ve commented enough about poor communication: salespeople who talk more than they listen, healthcare professionals who treat patients like their equipment, and speakers who sound like robots rather than people.

So I’m thrilled to commend those professionals who exceed expectations for excellent communication in delivering customer service. My hat’s off to the USAA support team during a recent insurance claim process at my parents’ home. From the first interaction to the last...

6 Mistakes Managers Make That Drive Their Employees Crazy

If you haven’t worked for these managers, you’ve heard about them. Employees buzz about these bosses over lunch, complain about them around the water cooler, and chew them up at the dinner table with their spouse. And if these leaders don’t get some feedback or training from their superiors, they’ll soon cost their organization big bucks because of employee turnover.

At the least, for the individual reporting to such managers, frustration leads to deep-seated resentment that often trigger...

Scam Communicates Hiccups in Family Relationships

The scam goes like this: The con artist dials a household within a zip code of older homes, hoping to reach the voice of an elderly person.

Elderly: Hello?

Scammer: (friendly, casual voice) Hi. What are you doing? . . . You know who this is?

Elderly: No. Who is this?

Scammer: You don’t know who this? (acting incredulous) This is your eldest and favorite grandson!

Elderly: Michael?

Scammer: Yeah.

Elderly: You don’t sound like Michael.

Scammer: Hmmm. Well, I’ve got a bad cold. And this is a...

Focus on Process—Whether Growing a Business or Publishing a Book

We’re an instant gratification society always focused on the finish line.

I just received another LinkedIn message today that basically asked, “Can you tell me how to get my book written, published, and launched? I’ve got a great keynote opportunity coming up in about 2 months, and I want to have the book ready by then. And I want to get some great high-visibility testimonials for it before we launch.”

Although I do sometimes coach people on book writing and book publishing, I always turn...

7 Habits of Effective Communicators

No one masters communication completely. The topic, like world cultures, keeps growing as new technology and new thought leaders emerge.

I’ve never met anyone who claimed to be a lousy communicator. Most people think they communicate well. Yet, given the current political unrest, racial tensions, international conflicts, and divorce rate, how could that be? How could the civil discourse be so uncivil?

Having the following communication standards might help:

Strong communicators tell the t...

10 Things Your Mom Should Have Taught You About Communication

Since moms get blamed for so many things that go wrong in the world, we might as well point an accusatory finger at them for the poor communication habits of their offspring. Who else besides dear ole mom would cover for you if you picked up these bad habits on your own?

In case you’ve misplaced her communication checklist, here it is:

Return a greeting. When someone speaks to you on the street, in the hallway, or as you enter a room or meeting, speak, nod, wave, tap dance, or otherwise a...

7 Statements Successful Speakers Never Say

If you’ve ever sat in an audience mesmerized by a motivational or business speaker, you know that such speakers can make the skill look so easy. You laugh with them, learn with them, empathize with them, and leave feeling as though the time passed incredibly fast. On the other hand, you’ve probably had occasion to sit in some meetings where the time dragged by—when you had interest in the content, but the speakers needed polish.

Here are a few statements that make all the difference in del...