Archive: Communication
Should You Write the Way You Talk? To a Degree.
Many people have heard the advice “write the way you talk” so as to sound conversational in a written message, but an important clarification is missing from that advice. Conversational speech is terribly inefficient, so be sure to edit carefully to make...
Use Vivid Language to Persuade People to Accept Your Idea
To persuade someone to comply with your request, use specific details, not vague statistics. Vivid description enables people to “see.” Your point is more compelling when you present the audience with information that has imagery, because people can...
How Managers can Provide Effective Feedback
Feedback conversations are often stressful but don’t need to be. They can be instructive and motivational when managers come prepared. Supervisors often are filled with anxiety leading up to a feedback session, because they are uncertain about what to say, they...
Gathering Quality Information Requires Good Questions
Interviewing skills are not the domain only of reporters, police officers, or job recruiters. The ability to ask good questions is important for all business professionals, because the quality of the answers will depend on the questions. We ask questions every day...
Keep Difficult Conversations in Balance
People often dread having a conversation with a colleague or friend they don’t like or have disagreements with, but there is a professional way to navigate the delicate path. Conversations are part of managing, because supervisors are responsible for — and...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
Accomplishments or Potential to Achieve: Which is More Persuasive?
If you want to persuade your superior to promote you over someone else, you could emphasize what you have accomplished, …