Why can’t we sit in silence with people? For many, silence can feel awkward and uncomfortable. When we find ourselves in a conversation, it’s easy to fill the empty spaces with chatter, nervous laughter, or even rambling. This instinct to keep talking often stems from our fear of judgment or the belief that we need to keep the conversation going to connect. But what makes silence feel so awkward?

Many people feel awkward when they get praised, with about 90% of my students saying it's harder than giving compliments. This uncomfortable feeling often comes from our need to feel loved and accepted. Praise can make us happy, but it also makes us feel vulnerable and worried about what others think.

Leaders struggle for five main reasons: they don't care genuinely, lack empathy, communicate poorly, micromanage, and avoid discomfort. Overcoming these hurdles involves showing genuine care, empathizing, improving communication, trusting and empowering teams, and embracing discomfort for growth.

Learn how to conduct effective 10-minute phone interviews by structuring questions around the candidate's job history, performance, and reasons for leaving previous roles. Utilize active listening, clarity-seeking, and time management to efficiently screen candidates and make informed hiring decisions.

This blog talks about why trust is super important for teams to work well. It gives tips on how managers can earn trust from their employees, like listening well, being honest, showing they care, and being consistent with their feelings.

Let’s discuss challenge of dealing with employees who may not fully understand their roles or meet expectations, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and feedback.

This blog discusses why giving feedback to employees is important and how to do it effectively. It emphasizes approaching feedback with care, clarity, and consistency to help employees grow while maintaining trust within the team.

As I look into how praise affects us at work, I wonder: Could our efforts to boost morale sometimes cause more problems than they solve? Stick around as we uncover the mysteries of praise and teamwork, where the next moves might change everything for our team.

The blog argues against traditional annual reviews, urging managers to provide consistent, daily or weekly feedback for better employee growth and collaboration, ultimately enhancing workplace success.

Addressing excessive phone use at work is crucial for maintaining a productive environment. Open conversations, like the example with "Fred," set clear expectations, acknowledge awareness, and foster accountability, reinforcing the link between communication, trust, and workplace focus.

Teaching employees to understand their emotions is essential for better communication and project success in any industry. Embracing the human aspect of emotions enhances control, reduces misunderstandings, and fosters a more successful workplace.

Let’s talk about some things I’ve learned the hard way. Especially when it comes to pushing a new idea or giving someone feedback. There are ways to do it that will cause push back and ways to make it effective.

Exploring accountability at work, the post explains that it's not about being perfect but helping each other improve. By caring about the person and wanting them to get better, we create a place where everyone can learn and grow together.

The blog outlines a structured approach to employee termination, emphasizing the emotional firing process to make individuals understand the gravity of their situation before making a final decision. It provides a step-by-step guide for managers, covering clear expectations, empathy, and communication strategies during both emotional firing and termination phases.

To bridge the communication gap between office and field staff, active listening is essential. Acknowledging and understanding the concerns of field employees, even without an immediate solution, fosters a connection that helps close the divide.

Sometimes, people don't listen because our way of talking can be tricky or they're caught up in their thoughts. It's like having a cool story but not telling it in a way that grabs attention, or talking to friends immersed in video games – they might miss what you're saying.

Discover how to become more valuable at work and maybe earn more money by doing your best, taking on challenges, and being helpful without expecting something back. Learn these tips from the book "Linchpin" by Seth Godin, and show your dedication to become an important part of your workplace.

Being a good leader means making your team feel important. Listen to their thoughts, appreciate their efforts, and show enthusiasm when you interact to create a positive team environment.

Can saying "great job" too much make workers feel entitled? Nope. Recognizing someone for their efforts meets their need for feeling valued. However, giving fake praise, avoiding performance talks, or hiring those with big egos can lead to entitlement.

Ready to hire the best team? Check out my top 10 interview questions! We'll explore these questions to find out more about candidates and make sure they're a great fit for the job and the team.