It always seems like managers and others in the business world always seem to know the right thing to say in different situations and they're able to always say it "correctly". I am very interested in learning how to communicate and behave appropriately. In order to acquire my degree, I'm required to take a communications class, which I have not done so, but will that teach me all that is necessary, or should I be looking elsewhere to learn these things? Right now I don't have a specific question, like should I tell my boss that she's wearing too much make-up, I'm more interested in where I'd be able to find information on how to handle a situation like that.

 

Listen and learn, I say. Experience will help a lot with this.

 

^ I agree. You can learn the basics from communication classes but true business etiquette comes from:

1. Watching how people interact.
2. Listening to what people are saying.
3. Understanding what it means to treat others how you want to be treated.
4. Realizing that the customer is always right in whatever situation and not blowing your top.
5. Constantly asking your peers how you can do better?

Those are the basic steps which have helped me.

 

Experience is good, but often times I'm not able to observe how others interact, such as in closed meetings, while they're on the phone, etc.

 

i can teach you anything you want to know.....

I am all about people skilz....

Maybe watch more Costanza reruns to get some tips......Okay... enough of that...

For the most part, treat people like you want to be treated...... as long as you are allowed without breaking any laws or company policies..... for the most I joke around with people, make fun of them, I swear now and then. In my environment that works. I don't deal with "the public" too often.

I always think it is funny when some old (it is ALWAYS and old person) person will call me all pissed off to tell me that we spelled his name wrong....I usually jerk them around just for fun.....(not really "jerk" them around..... i save that for me and my neighbor in the hot tub)..

 

There are a ton of seminars and books and CDs and videos on this topic. If you think you need external help go to your local library and check a few out.

Learning from your experience is key though. Honestly, some people simply have the skill, others do not and a good number are in middle and can learn with time.

Also do not limit your focus to the good behaviour you observe. Pay attention to the negatives as well. There is just as much to be learned from what not to do as there is from what to do.

 

From a management perspective the trick is to focus on the behavior not the person. Not always easy, you lazy sack of ...

 

great advice

Also, I think people underestimate the power of a well-placed silence, or staying silent in general. A lot of the better execs I see learn how to listen well, or at least appear to listen well. There's something to be said for the absence of speech.

Awareness is the beginning, all too often people fail to observe what is going on around them.

 

my comm. class taught me to make speeches and nothing more... business communication (in my opinion) is based upon experience. just like learning to interview... there are books out there that teach you as a manager how to react to situations.

but there's no way you can tell a chick "you're wearing too much make-up" in the workplace. on the other hand, if she's dressing up like it's Thursday Asian Club night, then that is a different story. it's just not professional to dress like a hooch to work while some chicks need make up to hide their real faces.

 

[QUOTE=Penforhire,Nov 16 2006, 01:07 PM] From a management perspective the trick is to focus on the behavior not the person.