5 Ways to Fine-Tune Workplace Communication

Interview: Carol Barkes on Workplace Communication.

Carol Barkes is a conflict resolution expert, mediator, national speaker, educator and bestselling author who uniquely applies neuroscience to the fields of conflict resolution and negotiations. Her expert perspective is always fresh and relevant.

Talking Points from Carol Barkes on
How to Fine-Tune Workplace Communication:

Effective communication is an integral part of having positive, successful interactions with the people around us. For some, good communication skills seems to come naturally, and that’s great. But for others, it is a challenge to communicate in a way that both articulates our thoughts and doesn’t rock the boat. Poor communication can lead to arguments, loss of opportunities, hurt feelings——and the list goes on and on. In the workplace it could mean conflicts with the people we work with and for, loss of credibility, a decrease in production, and other negative-affecting career circumstances. Here’s some tips on how to fine-tune workplace communication:

1) Conflict in the workplace is similar to family conflict in that conflicts can build over time as people have continual negative interactions with a person. Consequently, when a situation arises with someone we’ve had problems with in the past, it is very easy to blow the current problem out of proportion. It is important to try to look at each occurrence with its own lens so past experiences don’t negatively bias our approach.

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How Women Can Do Better at the Negotiation Table

It seems that men have the advantage over women when it comes to negotiation in many business situations. Here are just a few tips that can help women—or anyone, really—on how to approach these situations and be in a better position to achieve the business outcomes you are aiming for.
Carol Barkes is a conflict resolution expert who helps couples who are considering divorce.  She knows these bullets below are surefire ways to put a marriage on the path to divorce. Carol is available for interviews.
  • Women are less likely to negotiate than men. Women are more likely to negotiate for other people, if they do so.  This being said, women need to remember that they, too, are worthy and deserve a voice for themselves.  Most everything can be negotiated so why not try?  At the worst, we are no worse off than before the attempt.  Continue reading “How Women Can Do Better at the Negotiation Table”

Flattery Will Get You Everywhere—With Your Partner

For a long-lasting and happy relationship, here are some great tips on how to compliment your partner:

How to Increase Your Chances for Divorce

Divorce is not something anyone is hoping for when they get married. But, unfortunately, many people end up sabotaging their relationships and increase likelihood of divorce.

Carol Barkes is a mediator who helps couples who are considering divorce.  She knows these bullets below are surefire ways to put a marriage on the path to divorce. Carol is available for interviews.  

1) Criticizing your partner. There is no such thing as constructive criticism. Criticism is just that, and it is hurtful. Instead, separate the person from the problem. It is okay to have a complaint about a process, but keep it to what is happening and then move forward to what you would like to see happen differently.

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91-Year-Old’s Secret “Habit” Turns into Bestseller…

Jacqueline Gellens Watson’s Life With OCD

The following is an excerpt from the new book The Habit, by Jacqueline Gellens Watson.

In the 1930s and 1940s, mental  illness was not widely accepted as a reality in America. When I was a child, I developed a mental condition, later called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), due to prior circumstances in my life. I couldn’t understand what I was going through. I first noticed it when I was reading the book, Lorna Doone. I couldn’t understand some of the passages. I would fixate on them and go over and over them in my mind, trying to understand the meaning of the words. Continue reading “91-Year-Old’s Secret “Habit” Turns into Bestseller…”

6 Steps to Tackle Your Picky Eater

Dr. Donna Perillo, DC, MS, NMD, CNS, is the owner and director of the Chiropractic Healing Center of NJ, a wellness center incorporating chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture, nutrition, and stress management. Her goal is to help her patients create a happy, healthy and vibrant lifestyle by addressing their physical, emotional, and nutritional needs. Here, she weighs in on a common, frustrating topic for caregiver and child alike—eating, and the often lack of variety in the diet of a child.

It is very common for many children—especially toddlers—to be picky eaters. Sometimes they will get fixated on one or two foods. In general, they want to eat what they see their siblings and parents eat. If their brother or sister is eating a cookie you can’t expect them to eat an apple!

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5 Benefits of a Detox You Didn’t Know About


So many people are jumping on or off “detoxes” but… do they know this is not a fad. It has real benefits

Available: Dr. Donna Perillo

What Dr. Perillo Could Say:

There are many types of detox programs. The length can be anywhere from a day to months, depending on the patient’s goals and health status. Some programs require fasting and others don’t. Some include protein shakes and others do not.

If you have never done a detox you should start off slowly and under professional supervision.

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Are Women Allowed to Be Angry?

Dr. Colleen Cira is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who specializes in Women and Trauma, so she has worked with hundreds of people struggling with a family of origin issues.
Here are some few things Dr. Cira can say on this topic:

  • Men and women alike have been shaming women for their anger since the dawn of time.  You can primarily blame it on rigid and deeply ingrained gender roles in which women are encouraged and molded to be “nice” at all costs.  And anger isn’t always nice!
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What Makes Employees Fully Engaged at Work?

Years ago, people would get a job and stay with it for years; possibly until retirement.  Today, we live in a much different environment where employees look for jobs that align with their values and easily move to other companies, if the environment doesn’t suit them.  Consequently, it is not unusual to see employees change jobs as regularly as every couple of years, if not more frequently. On the flip side, some employees stay in their positions but lose their passion for performing at peak levels gradually over time.  So what are some things employers can do to keep employees engaged and dedicated to their organization?

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