Communication – Page 19

Using Neuroscience in Business Meetings

From Carol Barkes on
Neuroscience Tips for a Meeting:

Neuroscience is an exciting field that continues to explore how people learn. Applying this kind of knowledge can benefit the future of the modern business meeting. Here are a few quick tips to consider before your next meeting:

1. Take a walk. Consider having meetings while walking or even have your team walk before a meeting. The oxygen received to the brain will improve the decision-making process.
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The Brain Science Behind Gender Bias in the Workplace: Communications Explored

Interview: Carol Barkes

Some talking points for an interview on
women on gender bias in the workplace:

As one of the San Francisco Bay Area first female firefighters and now a woman in a still largely male dominated legal field, I regularly experience gender bias. In fact, we all do and some of it cannot be helped.
Biases come in two forms extrinsic and intrinsic. Intrinsic biases happen “under the hood” or unconsciously. They are our brains way of filtering information that is ancestral in nature—is someone a friend or is someone a potential threat, for instance. Extrinsic biases are consciously driven in that we choose to have them. For instance, I choose not to hire a woman. Continue reading “The Brain Science Behind Gender Bias in the Workplace: Communications Explored”

Difficult Business Relationships: Exploring Solutions

Interview: Carol Barkes

Here’s some talking points on what Carol Barkes would say on an interview about problematic business relationships:

Many questions are about change management and there are some simple neuroscience techniques to make this easier for everyone.
Still others are about workload and fairness, which is actually the leading cause of workplace stress. Talking about this is one of the best ways to save businesses money. In fact, annually US businesses lose over $300 billion in financial resources due to stress. Continue reading “Difficult Business Relationships: Exploring Solutions”

How to Stop Fighting Over Housework

Interview: Carol Barkes on How to Stop Fighting Over Housework.

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.

Some Talking Points from Carol Barkes on

How to Stop Fighting Over Housework:

Conflict arises when two people see things differently and/or have differing expectations about the process of getting things done. Consequently, to minimize fights about chores:

1. Talk about the process before there is an issue. Who will do what chore, when and what does that chore look like? For example, in my own relationship, my husband signed on for doing the laundry. However, in my mind that meant getting it washed, dried AND put away. In his mind it meant washed, dried, and put on the living room chair to be picked through as needed. Clarifying all details of the process is key.

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The Manager’s Role and How They Can Be Effective

Interview: Carol Barkes on The Manager’s Role and How They Can Be Effective.

Some Talking Points from Carol Barkes on

The Manager’s Role:

A manager will be most effective if they teach their employees to think about thinking. Instead of telling employees what to do, effective managers should walk their employees through the process of solving their own problems. By doing so, they gradually are not needed for decision making as much, thus empowering their employees and freeing up their own time for more productive endeavors.
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How to Be a More Outgoing People Person

Interview: Carol Barkes

This comes from a communications expert, Carol Barkes. Here are some talking points for an interview on how to be more outgoing:

1. Smile more. Sometimes being outgoing is really just being about being perceived as outgoing. A simple way to seem more approachable is to practice a genuine smile. This is a smile that activates the muscles around your eyes—not just your mouth. The easiest way to get one is by thinking of someone or something that brings you immense happiness and joy. For instance, I think of the day my son was born; it was magical. This smile generates trust in the brains of those with whom you are interacting. Our brains are always assessing whether someone is a friend or a potential threat. With a genuine smile, we seem more approachable, friendly, and outgoing.

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How to Negotiate Medical Bills

Interview: Carol Barkes

This comes from a communications expert, Carol Barkes. Here are some talking points for an interview on how to negotiate medical bills:

1.Make yourself have the difficult conversation.Many times, people avoid communicating about bills that they cannot pay. This makes their position much weaker and potentially escalates the bill to a collection agency. Instead, have the difficult conversations and be honest about your capabilities to repay. Your honesty and lack of avoiding the situation will typically create a more collaborative relationship with the provider.

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7 Tips for Discussing Your Elderly Parents’ Estate Plan

Available for Interviews: Glenn Matecun.

Glenn R. Metecun, CELA, is certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation. Here are some talking points on how one can engage in a thoughtful and crucial conversation with his or her elderly parents on estate planning:

Have the talk. Talking about your parents’ estate plan with them is not easy, but it is critical if you are to be able to carry out their wishes if they become incapacitated or after they are gone. And a great time to talk is when you are sitting around the house during the holidays. Continue reading “7 Tips for Discussing Your Elderly Parents’ Estate Plan”

5 Ways to Fine-Tune Workplace Communication

Interview: Carol Barkes on Workplace Communication.

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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