TED Conferences’ Post

Lucia’s dilemma with Ray mirrors a common workplace challenge. His monopolizing of conversations and refusal to share work highlight problematic traits often found in know-it-alls. These individuals, while potentially knowledgeable, often overshadow and frustrate colleagues. **Dealing with Know-It-Alls:** 1. **Understand Their Motives:** Consider if they’re compensating for insecurities or proving their worth. Validate their contributions to ease this need. 2. **Assess Validity:** Distinguish between their abrasive delivery and the merit of their points. 3. **Check Bias:** Reflect on whether your perception is influenced by unconscious biases. 4. **Evaluate Your Reaction:** Determine if your frustration is due to personal insecurities or actual workplace disruptions. **Effective Strategies:** 1. **Appreciate Their Knowledge:** Acknowledge their expertise to reduce their need for constant validation. 2. **Prevent Interruptions:** Set clear guidelines before speaking, requesting others to hold comments until you finish. 3. **Address Interruptions Tactfully:** Confidently state your intent to finish your point, and enlist allies if needed. 4. **Set Norms:** Encourage balanced participation by establishing norms like “take space, make space.” 5. **Request Evidence:** Politely ask for data to back up their assertions, promoting fact-based discussions. 6. **Model Humility:** Display openness and humility, encouraging a culture of collaborative inquiry. Implementing these tactics can transform interactions, making them more productive and less stressful. #WorkplaceDynamics #CommunicationSkills #LeadershipTips

Clear is Kind. Unclear is unkind Over the past several years, Brene Brown and her team have learned something about clarity and the importance of hard conversations that has changed everything from the way we talk to each other to the way we negotiate with external partners. It’s simple but transformative: Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind. I first heard this saying two decades ago in a 12-step meeting, but I was on slogan overload at the time and didn’t even think about it again until I saw the data about how most of us avoid clarity because we tell ourselves that we’re being kind, when what we’re actually doing is being unkind and unfair. Feeding people half-truths or bullshit to make them feel better (which is almost always about making ourselves feel more comfortable) is unkind. Not getting clear with a colleague about your expectations because it feels too hard, yet holding them accountable or blaming them for not delivering is unkind. Talking about people rather than to them is unkind. #clarity # kind Written by Brene Brown on Oct 15, 2018

"How can I help?" Such a simple question but how often do you actually hear this being asked of managers, family or friends? People are so quick to jump to a conclusion or give a fix, where actually, all somebody might need is to be listened to. The next 1:1 you have with a team member, or conversation with a friend or family, if they say they are struggling with something, need to understand something or seem like they are stressed, simply by asking "how can I help" it empowers them to come up with their own solutions. It also makes them feel like their opinion matters and that you do care. As much as giving a fix may seem helpful and it is, most of the time, coming with best intentions, it actually shuts people down from talking. Obviously, you can't always give them what they want or need, but asking the question can start an open conversation allowing for compromise from both parties.

Navigating tough conversations at work can feel like walking a tightrope, but there's a secret to it - the art of the 'fierce conversation'. This isn't about being aggressive, but about being brave enough to be honest, open, and direct about your feelings and goals. The key is to deliver your message honestly, but also offer a path forward for reconciliation and solutions. In a business environment, where everyone is laser-focused on results, it's easy to overlook when things go off track. So, don't shy away from these fierce conversations, approach them with kindness and honesty. Remember, honesty is always the best policy. #FierceConversations #WorkplaceCommunication #HonestyInBusiness

Navigating tough conversations at work can feel like walking a tightrope, but there's a secret to it - the art of the 'fierce conversation'. This isn't about being aggressive, but about being brave enough to be honest, open, and direct about your feelings and goals. The key is to deliver your message honestly, but also offer a path forward for reconciliation and solutions. In a business environment, where everyone is laser-focused on results, it's easy to overlook when things go off track. So, don't shy away from these fierce conversations, approach them with kindness and honesty. Remember, honesty is always the best policy. #FierceConversations #WorkplaceCommunication #HonestyInBusiness

When we assume others see what we see, feel what we feel and think what we think, we’re operating with a blind fold on. If you’re engrossed in your own point of view, you can’t connect with another’s perspective. Sensitive people pick up on others’ lack of connectivity, and they’ll push harder to persuade others that they’re right. Their payoff is a burst of dopamine that may feel great, but it leaves their conversation partners in the dust. Here are three discovery questions to enhance the quality of a difficult conversation: * Can you help me understand your perspective on this matter? 👉🏻 Asking for their perspective promotes empathy and provides an opportunity for the other person to share their concerns and viewpoint, fostering a more inclusive dialogue. * How do you envision resolving or improving this situation? 👉🏻 Inviting the other person to contribute to the solution not only empowers them but also promotes a collaborative approach to overcoming challenges. * What impact do you think our current approach is having, and how might we address it differently? 👉🏻 This question encourages a reflective discussion on the consequences of current actions and opens the door to exploring alternative, more effective strategies. Remember, the key to using discovery questions effectively is to listen actively to the responses, without judgment, and to use the information gained to collaboratively find solutions or common ground. Ready to transform your conversations? then follow Mira Swarup  for more such insights. #miraswarup  #Listening #DifficultConversation #EffectiveCommunication #prespectivematters #ActiveListening

🚨 When a Coworker Keeps Giving You Unsolicited Advice 🚨 Ever had that one coworker who seems to have an opinion on everything you do? Whether it’s your presentation style or your lunch choices, they’re always ready to share their “wisdom.” 🤔 While feedback can be invaluable, unsolicited advice can sometimes feel like a mini avalanche of well-meaning but misdirected guidance. Here are a few ways to navigate this tricky situation: 1. Listen, Then Reflect: Sometimes, there might be a gem hidden in their advice. Take a moment to consider if there’s something useful, even if it’s wrapped in unnecessary commentary. 2. Set Boundaries: It’s perfectly okay to gently redirect the conversation. A simple, “Thanks for the input, but I’ve got this covered!” can go a long way. 3. Cultivate Curiosity: Turn the tables! Ask them about their own experiences. This can often lead to a more meaningful dialogue and may even tone down the advice-giving. 4. Focus on Your Goals: Remember why you’re here and what you’re aiming for. Stay true to your vision, and don’t let distractions sway you. At the end of the day, we all want to support each other. So let’s transform unsolicited advice into constructive conversations! 💪✨ How do you handle unsolicited advice at work? Share your experiences below! 👇 #WorkplaceWisdom #TeamDynamics #ProfessionalGrowth

[𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻'𝘁 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲] Ever heard that? Setting boundaries is essential because we can't be there for everyone all the time. It's a lesson I've learned the hard way. In today's fast-paced world, availability is often mistaken for productivity. 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗹𝗲𝘁'𝘀.𝗯𝗲.𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 1. Being constantly available leads to burnout and reduces our effectiveness. 2. Building boundaries isn't about being unapproachable; it's about being strategic with our time and energy. One key to maintaining boundaries > over-communication. It might seem excessive, but it's crucial. Clearly stating your availability and expectations prevents misunderstandings and keeps everyone aligned. Over-communication can fix most issues, turning potential chaos into a well-oiled machine. So, next time someone says, "you aren’t available," take it as a sign you're doing something right. >You're protecting your time >Maintaining your sanity >Ultimately, delivering better results. [𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁?] Follow @𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 to understand your unique leadership style and escalate your personality intelligence, your emotional intelligence and your skills intelligence. If this helped you... ↳ Help somebody else and repost ♻ for your network to see today. 🔗 The link to chat is in my featured section.

If someone is instigating you to take a hasty decision then it will definitely be a wrong thing to do. Don't listen to him. Sometimes, by pretending to be simple, you get more accurate information from the other person. Get it. Making excuses for this helps a lot. If you want to avoid office politics, praise your colleagues behind their backs. Someone's touch will encourage you to respond yes to their request. If you want to make someone uncomfortable, look at his forehead during a conversation. When people in a group are laughing, they look more towards their favorite person. Both nervousness and excitement are the same type of catalyst, so when you feel nervous while giving a speech, convince yourself that you are excited. It has been proven that you will be able to give a better speech. Ask for something that is small but related to your desired demand. When they agree to that small thing, express a slightly bigger desire until you achieve the desired goal. This agreement is hack.

After having open and deep conversations about style and preferences, something powerful can happen: