Matthew Snow’s Post

Communication: It's how we conduct our lives. We do it every day with friends & strangers. From a Business perspective, it is a required skill that seems to have taken a hit recently. I've heard from some executives that expectations of Communication (Timely, Concise, Relevant, Civil) has been lowered. Maybe because of Remote work, learning and living, I don't really know. I have been told that some people in the workplace have lost/disregarded their ability to converse professionally, communicate civilly in emails, respect others' time and show up & participate in meetings. Emails/texts/DMs v. Conversation (in-person of Phone or Video) In my profession, Talent Acquisition, many times our first contact is electronically in emails or DMs or texts. Anything deeper than "Hey, there may be an opportunity..." then moves to a conversation. The conversation will most likely be a phone or video call. It is now a treat to be able to meet people in-person much of the time. Networking: Is Networking becoming a lost art? To actually put on pants and leave your home to meet people you may not know well.   Is it really necessary? That answer depends on what you want to accomplish. If you want to really connect with another Human and build a relationship, then "Yes". An actual in-person, face-to-face meeting is the best way. Humans are social animals. To look someone in the eye, read their body language, actively listen to what they are saying to expand your knowledge and view on any given subject by meeting someone with different experiences and maybe learn something from them. (and they learn from you) This cannot be accomplished through an email exchange. So consider your words & tone in whatever medium you use to Communicate with other people. The world is not confined to Your Reality. Too much "Me Time" can narrow our vision and knowledge of the world around us. We learn from communicating with others , so take a moment to consider How you do it. #talentacquisition #talentdevelopment #HR #communicationskills #learning #activelistening

Breaking the Ice: A Critical Skill for Engaging Executives Breaking the ice can be one of the most daunting tasks in professional settings, but it's a critical skill for any Engaging Executive. The fear of rejection often holds us back from initiating conversations. However, understanding that this fear is universal can help mitigate its impact. Recognising that everyone experiences a certain level of anxiety when meeting new people can make the process seem less intimidating. To break the ice effectively, start by getting into a social mindset. Visualise positive outcomes and remind yourself that the person you're approaching might be just as nervous as you are. This perspective shift can alleviate much of the pressure you feel. Approaching someone with a warm smile is a universal gesture of friendliness that immediately sets a positive tone. A genuine compliment or a relevant question can work wonders to open up the conversation. For instance, commenting on a piece of their work you admired or asking about their experience with a recent project shows you have a shared context and are genuinely interested in their perspective. Practise makes perfect; the more you engage in these initial interactions, the more confident you'll become. Role-playing with a friend or colleague can be a helpful way to practise. Start small, perhaps with colleagues you haven't spoken to much, before moving on to larger networking events. Over time, you'll find your confidence growing, and what once felt like a monumental task will become second nature. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Reflect on this idea whenever you feel apprehensive. The most effective communicators didn't start out that way; they developed their skills over time through continuous effort and practice. Embrace the process of learning and improving. Each interaction, regardless of its outcome, is a step forward in honing your interpersonal skills. You never know where a simple "hello" might lead. It could be the start of a valuable professional relationship or a new friendship. The benefits of breaking the ice extend beyond the immediate interaction. By continuously practising and improving this skill, you'll find that you become more comfortable and adept at engaging with others, which can open up numerous opportunities in your professional and personal life. What are your favourite techniques for breaking the ice?

Breaking the Ice: A Critical Skill for Engaging Executives Breaking the ice can be one of the most daunting tasks in professional settings, but it's a critical skill for any Engaging Executive. The fear of rejection often holds us back from initiating conversations. However, understanding that this fear is universal can help mitigate its impact. Recognising that everyone experiences a certain level of anxiety when meeting new people can make the process seem less intimidating. To break the ice effectively, start by getting into a social mindset. Visualise positive outcomes and remind yourself that the person you're approaching might be just as nervous as you are. This perspective shift can alleviate much of the pressure you feel. Approaching someone with a warm smile is a universal gesture of friendliness that immediately sets a positive tone. A genuine compliment or a relevant question can work wonders to open up the conversation. For instance, commenting on a piece of their work you admired or asking about their experience with a recent project shows you have a shared context and are genuinely interested in their perspective. Practise makes perfect; the more you engage in these initial interactions, the more confident you'll become. Role-playing with a friend or colleague can be a helpful way to practise. Start small, perhaps with colleagues you haven't spoken to much, before moving on to larger networking events. Over time, you'll find your confidence growing, and what once felt like a monumental task will become second nature. Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Reflect on this idea whenever you feel apprehensive. The most effective communicators didn't start out that way; they developed their skills over time through continuous effort and practice. Embrace the process of learning and improving. Each interaction, regardless of its outcome, is a step forward in honing your interpersonal skills. You never know where a simple "hello" might lead. It could be the start of a valuable professional relationship or a new friendship. The benefits of breaking the ice extend beyond the immediate interaction. By continuously practising and improving this skill, you'll find that you become more comfortable and adept at engaging with others, which can open up numerous opportunities in your professional and personal life. What are your favourite techniques for breaking the ice?

My colleague pushed me out of her office. When I was just starting out my career, I let someone's passive aggression get so bad that it resulted in a blowup! The conflict escalated and led to this. Many of you are currently dealing with passive aggressive colleagues, here's what I learned from this unfortunate encounter that can help you avoid a future interpersonal disaster. 1. 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲- If someone is resistant to listening to you or shows signs of being passive, it's important to over communicate everything. A meeting followed by meeting notes via email or an email followed by a face to face. Whatever it takes to ensure the point was delivered and they received your communication clear and concise. 2. 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 - This incident could've been avoided if we discussed the smaller conflicts sooner. Everyone chose to avoid having the difficult discussion and there came a day where it all blew up! It's best to discuss disagreements with colleagues head on. Because in avoidance, we just make things 100x worse.     3. 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 - Emails, meeting notes, notes in your journal, have records of all interactions with a difficult co worker or when dealing with complex teams. Record keeping can come handy if it all went south and you had to prove your stance and efforts you did to fix the situation.     4. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 - It's easy not to speak up and stay silent but if you want to avoid major conflicts and issues in your career, you must have a voice and you must build it from day 1. Don't let convenience of others mute you. Building your voice starts with speaking up during a meeting, telling your manager if something is amiss, writing assertive emails and not letting anyone bully you. 5. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 - If you are struggling to handle a difficult situation, ask your mentors for help. If you don't have one, hire one! It will help you in the long run. Difficult conversations are not going to disappear with your next promotion, they will just become more frequent as you grow win your career so learn to handle them head on! I recently onboarded a client to help her with exactly this! I would love to help you too. Inside my coaching program I cover everything you need to know about effective corporate communication. DM "CAREER" to learn more.

Managing up well refers to the practice of taking responsibility for the relationship between you and your boss or superiors. It involves actively engaging with them, communicating effectively, and ensuring that your goals and needs are aligned with theirs. One of the key aspects of managing up is clear and consistent communication. This communication means keeping your boss informed about your progress, sharing your ideas and concerns, and asking for feedback. It's important to be proactive in your communication rather than waiting for your boss to approach you. Another important aspect of managing up is taking initiative and responsibility. This responsibility means anticipating and addressing problems rather than waiting for your boss to instruct you. It also means owning your work and taking pride in its quality rather than just completing tasks to check them off a to-do list. Finally, managing up well is about demonstrating your value to the team. This action means showing your boss that you are committed to your role, willing to take on challenges, and able to work collaboratively with others. By owning the relationship with your boss and demonstrating your value as an employee, you can set yourself up for success and growth in the workplace. #ManagingUp #WorkplaceTips #CareerGrowth #mattgillis

Difficult conversations are hard, here’s how to do them right:👇: Sounding professional has never been more important in challenging work culture and practice. Here are my: • 15 ways to reframe work questions • 10 practical examples for how to professionally respond (courtesy of Laura Whaley ) 1️⃣ Can you just get to the point? ↳ What are you suggesting? 2️⃣ How did it take you so long to complete this? ↳ Can you help me understand the cause of the delay so we can address it moving forward? 3️⃣ How do you expect me to know everything about this project when you've explained nothing? ↳ Can we walk though the project in details so I ensure a mutual understanding? 4️⃣ For the amount of money you are paying me, you shouldn't waste so much of my time. ↳ My time is best spent focused on the tasks the company has asked me to do. 5️⃣ I don't need to call you, email is fine. ↳This matter is not urgent, reply to my email when it's convenient. 6️⃣ Did you even read my email? I didn't say that. ↳ It seems you may have misunderstood my previous email. 7️⃣ Use your brain! ↳ Let's think this though before jumping into action. 8️⃣ Leave me alone! ↳ I'm not able to talk at the moment. Please put your thoughts in to a single email and I'll get to it when I have the chance. 9️⃣ I didn't ask for your opinion. ↳ Should I require your feedback moving forward I'll be sure to reach out 🔟 You don't pay me enough to do that. ↳ That falls outside of my responsibility within this role The remote/hybrid era has posed communication challenges that lag behind organisational capability. We need to retool how we work. What question would you reframe? Leave a comment 👇 ---- 👇 Want a PDF of my top infographics? 👇 ▶️ Go Here: https://lnkd.in/ewpgM67u Follow me (Harvey Lee) for daily inspiration on careers, work life, and strategic marketing.

Why waste your breath on babbling with coworkers Do you know why chit-chatting with colleagues or acing that presentation feels rewarding? 🤔 Well, exceptional workplace communication is the golden ticket to raising everyone’s morale, team synergy, and productivity levels that shoot through the roof. It’s the secret for driving results that makes everyone - from interns to CEOs - sit up and take notice. Proper communication with coworkers can be one of the keys to your career success. Here’s why: 🔸 It builds professional relationships. Strong communication fosters links with colleagues, managers, and clients. 🔸 It increases team collaboration. Clear communication is the glue that holds teams together. It ensures everyone is on the same page. 🔸 It facilitates problem-solving. Good communicators can articulate issues and brainstorm solutions effectively. 🔸 It promotes leadership skills. It allows you to influence and inspire others, articulate vision and direction, and drive your team towards success. 🔸 It increases visibility. Being a strong communicator puts you in the spotlight for the right reasons. It makes you stand out to management as someone who can work with ideas, big projects, and represent the team or company externally. 🔸 It fosters trust. Transparent and honest communication builds trust. In a trust-rich environment, you're more likely to receive honest feedback, collaborative support, and effort from colleagues. 🔸 It improves job satisfaction. When you can communicate well, misunderstandings are minimized, your ideas are valued, and you feel a greater sense of belonging. 🔸 It steers through change, and reduces stress. Workplaces are ever-evolving, and good communication skills help you meet changes with resilience. Communicating effectively during transitions can position you as adaptable and dependable. 🔸 It facilitates career growth. As you climb the career ladder, the ability to negotiate, persuade, and communicate complex information clearly becomes increasingly critical. Now’s your call. How has skilful communication advanced your career? Do you have any tips or stories about how a simple chat created new opportunities for you? 📌 Share in comments, and follow for more career development opportunities & tips. 

Small Talk, Big Impact: How IT Pros Can Boost Their Careers with Conversation Improving small talk skills can be beneficial for career advancement in IT, despite the technical nature of the field. Here are some reasons why: 1️⃣ Building Relationships: Small talk is often the first step in building rapport and relationships with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Establishing a connection through casual conversation can lead to stronger professional relationships and collaborations. 2️⃣ Networking Opportunities: Small talk provides opportunities for networking, both internally within your organization and externally at industry events or conferences. Building a network of contacts can lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and potential career advancements. 3️⃣ Creating a Positive Work Environment: Engaging in small talk can contribute to a positive work environment by fostering a sense of camaraderie and belonging among team members. It helps break the ice and creates a more relaxed atmosphere, which can enhance productivity and collaboration. 4️⃣ Demonstrating Soft Skills: While technical skills are crucial in IT, soft skills like communication, empathy, and interpersonal skills are also highly valued. Small talk allows you to demonstrate these soft skills, such as active listening, empathy, and adaptability, which are essential for effective teamwork and leadership. 5️⃣ Seizing Opportunities: Small talk can lead to valuable insights, opportunities, and information that may not be readily available through formal channels. By engaging in casual conversations, you may discover new projects, challenges, or initiatives where you can contribute your skills and expertise. 6️⃣ Career Advancement: Developing strong small talk skills can enhance your professional reputation and visibility within your organization and industry. It can lead to opportunities for leadership roles, promotions, or advancement in your career as you build a strong network and establish yourself as a trusted and approachable colleague. ➡️ To get more comfortable with small talk, consider practicing in low-pressure situations, such as with friends, family, or in social settings. Pay attention to non-verbal cues, ask open-ended questions, and show genuine interest in the other person. Over time, you'll become more confident and adept at engaging in small talk, which can benefit your career in IT and beyond. Would you like more tips on improving small talk skills? I have helped many IT professionals get comfortable with small talk in English… Direct message me with the words “Small Talk” for more details

Super-charge a conversation with your manager with powerful questions and deep listening. Powerful questions are open-ended and often begin with where, how, what, and when. By using powerful questions, you are both leading the conversation and connecting with your manager. Similarly, you can use active listening skills during the check-ins to strengthen the quality of the conversation. First, pay attention to your non-verbal communication. Make eye contact, nod your head, keep your body open, and avoid multitasking. Check out Wolf & Heron's article on Mind the Product for other tips and tricks.

I didn’t work in industries that valuable honest communication. 
I worked in industries that only wanted you to agree, or else you were a trouble maker. That asked for more. more. more. until you had nothing left to give. And then asked again. If you said no, if you set boundaries, if you were unavailable, they would prey on another coworker who felt too uneasy to refuse. If you tried to point out how unreasonable it was, you were difficult. You were denied promotions. You were written up. Your caseload increased. Your public reprimands. They didn’t outright call you a btch. But they rolled their eyes. They said, it had to be done. They pulled you into their office to tell you how ‘disruptive’ you are. For me- this made me more angry, not less. And when you have poor leadership, everyone feels that tension. And when you have that tension, morale bottoms out. And when morale bottoms out, the workload is 2x as heavy. And that’s when people leave. If you’re a manager of people (in the workplace, at home, in your business), it’s imperative you know these skills. If you’re an employee, dealing with an impossibly hard situation, you need this workshop. If you’re an entrepreneur, doing it all yourself, you need this level of attunement. Come join my LinkedIn live- Boss Moves: How to be a boss in a culture that labels you a btch for speaking up. July 17th @ 6pm ET