The Communication Problem Solver 2 pdf

F OREWORDEach chapter in The Communication Problem Solver examines a vital component of communication.. You will learn how to improve your lead-ership communication skills, including han

F OREWORD

Each chapter in The Communication Problem Solver examines a vital

component of communication You will learn how to improve your lead-ership communication skills, including handling difficult situations, questioning abilities, feedback techniques, and more I think busy man-agers will find Chapter 6, ‘‘How to Break the Judging Habit,’’ particularly unique and valuable

In my current work as a diversity consultant, communication is cru-cial because language and culture add to the challenges of building trust-ing and lasttrust-ing relationships An added bonus of this book is that the knowledge you acquire will benefit you well beyond the business world

If you can communicate expectations, ask appropriate questions, and avoid judgment, your business, as well as personal, relationships are likely to improve

I know you will find The Communication Problem Solver well worth

your time

May you always communicate with clarity,

Michael Soon Lee, MBA Diversity Consultant

Author: Black Belt Negotiating and

Cross-Cultural Selling for Dummies

If you were to think about your work communication issues, what would they be? Are you paying attention to the ‘‘uh-oh’’ feeling in your gut when tension arises among people at work? Or do you ignore your intu-ition about these communication challenges and hope they will go away

on their own?

As a professional speaker, management trainer, consultant, and for-mer manager, I have worked with leaders from all over the world They have ranged from potential managers to the most senior executives and officers All had professional competence and were committed to their organizations’ success

These managers work hard to continually expand their knowledge and skills Yet, no matter what management topic we address,

communi-cation is usually the underlying problem When a manager has difficulty

giving feedback, coaching, or delegating, it most often is due to ‘‘people problems’’—challenges the manager would rather avoid or does not know how to handle

Regardless of where they work or how long they have managed, many managers struggle to develop work relationships and communi-cate more effectively Managers know the ‘‘what’’ and the ‘‘how’’ of the job Problems erupt when communicating tasks and discussing progress People get upset and communication breaks down ‘‘Work would be great if it weren’t for the people,’’ many managers joke But people prob-lems are the predicaments that keep them awake at night

So why not solve the people problems first? Perhaps it is because

—xi

P REFACE

these challenges are both the most uncomfortable and the ones without deadlines Or maybe it is because busy managers simply do not know how

If you are reading this book, you are probably interested in improv-ing communication at your workplace This book will make your life eas-ier by:

? Expanding your confidence to handle the ‘‘tough stuff’’

? Showing how to energize your work environment

? Boosting your ability to delegate, give feedback, and coach

? Slashing wasted time due to misunderstandings about assignments

? Increasing productivity in your team by enhancing relationships

? Diminishing friction

? Perking up your communication proficiency

The Communication Problem Solver: Simple Tools and Techniques for Busy Managers offers a dramatically different approach to management

communication This book guides you through communication mine-fields and helps you prevent them in the future Once you have read

it, you will want this problem-solving book on your desk for continual reference

Real-world stories and practical examples will capture your interest and illustrate proven action steps You will be able to lift the solutions off the page or adapt the ideas to your own solutions

In any economy, managers need topflight communication skills to keep staff productive and collaborative This book will help you set clear expectations, develop collaborative relationships, and avoid imprecise judgments It will sharpen your listening skills to grasp information bet-ter in every conversation

Many communication issues seem overwhelming because they are

vague and trigger emotional responses The Communication Problem

P REFACE

Solver is your key to redefining communication problems in factual

terms, then solving them once and for all

The examples in this book are true, but the names have been changed to provide privacy The exception is when someone has given authorization to be quoted: Their full names are shown

—xiii

This page intentionally left blank

A special thanks to Ellen R Kadin, executive editor, and Barry H Rich-ardson, senior development editor, at AMACOM Books, who made this book a reality Thanks also to the thousands of thoughtful managers and seminar participants who worked with me over the years I am deeply grateful to the many people who participated so generously with quotes and stories, which enriched the book Warm thanks also to the many people who supported this project:

> Paula Rankin, whose strong belief that I would succeed energized me

> In memory of Loretto and Joseph Rundle, my loving parents, who gave me faith and education, and always told me I could achieve anything I set my mind to

> Hugh Rundle, Jane Rundle, Mary and David Baker, Virginia and Ken Paulin, and their families

> Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff, who helped me launch this project and advised me throughout

> Michael Soon Lee, who mentored me through the process

> Dr Edward P Miranda, plastic and reconstructive surgeon of San Francisco, for his successful surgeries on my hand during the writing

of this book

> Sharon Lawrence for the meditation classes and great energy work

> Ian Griffin, president, National Speakers Association Northern Cali-fornia, for interviewing me about my book for his first podcast

> Camille Minichino (aka Margaret Grace) for advice and help

—xv

A CKNOWLED GMENTS

> Critique group friends: Susan Berman, David George, Cheryl Spanos, Jack Russ, Fran Cain, Margaret Ramirez, Elisabeth Tuck, and Jill Hedgecock

> And all the relatives, friends, and colleagues not mentioned by name but always remembered

THE C OMMUNICATION

This page intentionally left blank

P A R T

I

THE SECRETS TO CREATING AND SUSTAINING ENERGIZED

REL ATIONSHIPS