Archive: Communication
Strengthen Your Credibility: Prepare for Meetings
We often are bored and annoyed in meetings because people repeat what others said or ask unnecessary questions. But it can happen to any of us if we don’t come prepared. Bringing good ideas, making insightful comments, and offering good suggestions are ways you...
Be Persuasive: Present Your Request as a Future Commitment
If you want to persuade someone to do you a favor, you’re more likely to succeed if you present it as something that is a few weeks or months away. People usually don’t think clearly about future obligations. The issue is psychological distance. People have a...
Know When to Capitalize
Excessive capitalization is widespread in business, particularly in job titles. Know when it’s appropriate to capitalize. People frequently uppercase a word because they saw it capitalized elsewhere, because it “looks right,” or because they just...
A Simple Thank You can Motivate Others
A simple “thank-you” can go a long way. It is more than a polite gesture; it makes the other person feel more valued and competent. We tend to think of gratitude as an emotion that affects the receiver: The person’s face lights up because you were...
Being Persuasive: Asking for Less can Lead to More
People eager to have their request approved often make the mistake of asking for too much at the start. Asking for less initially often leads to a better result. Let’s say you want management to approve a costly new training program. Rather than ask for the full...By Ken O’Quinn
Focus on Them
Perfect Phrases for Business Letters (McGraw-Hill)
TD at Work — Business Writing for Managers
As a contributing author in this book on leadership, Ken offers insights and tips for managing difficult conversations, providing effective feedback, and being authentic. Order here.
Perfect Phrases for Business Letters (McGraw-Hill)
Provides the right words and phrases for any situation - quickly. The book was reprinted in Japanese because of high-volume sales there.
TD at Work — Business Writing for Managers
The Association for Talent Development invited Ken to write this 22-page booklet for the TD at Work series.
Current Blog Post
Improve Your Writing through Candid Feedback
People take writing criticism personally, but being receptive to criticism is the way you grow as a writer. It keeps …