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February 3, 2014
3 Communication Practices That Will Enrich Your Life
These few skills are the ones that we should practice everyday.
Just as high quality ingredients make every recipe more nutritious and delicious, a specific set of healthy communication practices can make every relationship more nourishing and life affirming. Read on to learn more about foundational communication practices that will enrich your life.
“Assertiveness for Women.” “Powerful Speech.” “Being Charismatic!” The list of self-help communication titles is endless. And it is true that to be a very competent...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on February 3, 2014
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January 2, 2014
3 Ways that Conflict in a Relationship is like a Pile of Tangled Holiday Lights
Resolving Conflict: 3 options to decide on the right course of action.
Sitting on the floor in a pool of winter sunshine, I contemplated the similarities between the pile of tangled holiday lights before me, and the conflict that arises in our most important relationships. Read on to learn 3 ways that a pile of tangled holiday lights taught me important lessons about how to handle conflict with people I love…
Yesterday morning, I had the unenviable task of taking down the holiday décor and storing it away for the year. Normally, I would simply shove...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on January 2, 2014
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December 8, 2013
Building a Positive Workplace Through Feedback
Two Tips For Improving The Way You Give & Receive Feedback
If you are like millions of other Americans who work full-time, you probably spend more time at work than you spend anywhere else. You probably want your workplace to be a comfortable and positive place where you feel valued and appreciated, and where you can learn, grow and express yourself to others.
Of course, many people don’t have workplaces like that. Unhealthy relationships, power dynamics and downright “bad” behavior poison the climate in some workplaces, making it...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on December 8, 2013
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October 27, 2013
4 Key Strategies to Engage Your Employees
You have more influence over employee engagement than you might think.
Many managers and supervisors tell me that they wish their employees would be more engaged. They want to see higher degrees of enthusiasm, ownership, commitment and accountability throughout the ranks on a daily basis. Maybe you have felt this way. But as a manager, you have more influence over employee engagement than you might think. Read on to learn 4 ways that you can positively influence employee engagement.
As managers, we dream of having employees that...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Management on October 27, 2013
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September 29, 2013
5 Questions Change Agents Use to Move People Forward
A Guide to Overcoming Resistance to Change
As leaders and managers we are often in the position of instigating or shepherding change efforts. Whether you are leading a process improvement team, implementing a new policy or system, or even driving cultural changes, you are, in effect, a change agent. You are introducing a new way of doing things, which means adopting new behaviors and letting go of old habits and patterns.
As leaders we have likely cultivated our own change hardiness, which may be one of the reasons we have risen...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on September 29, 2013
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August 25, 2013
The Power of Radical Ownership
3 Steps To Overcoming Powerlessness & Overwhelm At Work
Some days I feel powerless.
It starts with a trigger.
My manager uses “that tone.” My kids “overlook” their home chores. My direct report hasn’t completed the task that I thought was a given. A payment to one of my vendors is late because of an “error in paperwork” that no one called to my attention.
It could be anything. But the feeling is like hearing fingernails drawn down a chalkboard. It’s a low-level kind of...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Professional Development on August 25, 2013
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July 28, 2013
The Art of “Managing Up”
4 Things You Can Do To Ensure Your Own Success
If you are a frequent visitor to ManagingAmericans.com, your career is probably on an upward trajectory. You are likely looking to expand your knowledge, integrate new skills, and build new networks. And, if you are a growth-minded professional, chances are you are given new responsibilities and opportunities on a regular basis.
But with these opportunities can come stress and overwhelm. One of my clients recently told me about the struggle he was having after being given a “promotion”...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on July 28, 2013
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July 25, 2013
Claire Laughlin
Consultant & Trainer, Leadership 4 Design
Claire Laughlin
Consultant & Trainer
Leadership 4 Design
Biography
As an independent consultant and trainer with 20 years of diverse experience, Claire Laughlin brings a passion for improving relationships, experience in management, and a relentless dedication to transformation to all of her work. Claire started her career as a college and university communication instructor, and soon found her niche as an organizational trainer and consultant. She is fully committed to working with...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on July 25, 2013
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June 20, 2013
Breaking The Rules: Ensure Rules Are Not Limiting Your Effectiveness
Unleash the creative potential of each and every individual.
By Claire Laughlin, Consultant & Trainer, Leadership 4 Design
As managers, most of us spend a fair bit of time trying to move our organizations forward by orchestrating behavioral change. We look for ways to enhance some behaviors, while minimizing others. We work hard to create the conditions in which our people can perform at their peak, and in concert with each other, thereby creating satisfaction for the individual and success for the organization. One way to improve our effectiveness in this...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on June 20, 2013
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May 30, 2013
Running Effective Meetings by Mastering 3P’s: Purpose, Process & People
Learn how the right planning can create better outcomes for your meetings.
By Claire Laughlin, Consultant & Trainer, Leadership 4 Design
Meetings should be dynamic and engaging events that bring the talents and diverse experiences and knowledge of team members to bear on important problems and decisions that must be made. But far too often, they are painful, unnecessary, and a colossal waste of time. If you want to start running effective meetings, you need to start paying attention to three key areas (the 3 Ps) during your meeting planning. Your efforts will...Continue reading
By Claire LaughlinPosted in Communication Skills on May 30, 2013
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