WORDSMITH'S
TOOLBOX
Being able to use the right words
for the right occasion, writing or saying them correctly in the proper context...it's
a skill that anyone
aspiring to be a "better communicator" must learn to acquire and constantly,
improve on. As the line in that popular song, "Words", by the
Bee Gees says: "It's only words, and words are all I have to take your
heart away....", the right words are the key to bridging that
communication gap and bringing people closer and working well with each other.
So, from our wordsmith's toolbox, here are some tips on
how we can make "words work for us".....
A 'Parking Lot' saves Time
You can save time and keep people
focused meetings if you use this "parking lot" technique:
- Write "Parking Lot" in
Large letters at the top of a flip chart.
- Explain that the lot is reserved
for important items that come up but are unrelated to the current discussion
or for which the group needs more information. Caution: Don't use the lot
to silence opposing views.
- Place, or assign
someone to place, appropriate items on the lot. Option: allow attendees to
add items without immediately announcing them to the group.
- Reserve enough time at
the end of the meeting to decide when to deal with the items in the lot. Option:
Make those who put items on the lot responsible for bringing them before the
group later.
Source: Mangers and Facilitators,
by R W Weaver & J D Farrell, SF. Cal. CA 94111
Productivity Tip
Give yourself a weekly performance
review by candidly answering these questions. Did you:
- Take on a new responsibility
this week?
- Find a better way to handle
a job or to speed work?
- Suggest a new procedure?
- Save the organisation
money?
- See a suggestion you made
several weeks ago carried out?
Source: Secretary's Letter, The Economics Press Inc. Fairfield NJ 07004
|
