Lynn Espinoza is a broadcast news veteran with more than a decade of media, presentation and executive coaching experience. She has developed personal coaching sessions for Fortune 100 C-level executives, corporate communicators of all kinds, doctors, lawyers and leaders in non-profit.
New Year’s Resolutions for Business Communicators
Posted on January 5, 2009. Filed under: Latest News, The Tip Sheet
There is something magical about January. We get to toss out the sins of last year, forgive, and give ourselves permission to start fresh. We’ve made it to a new year. We’re smarter and stronger, and still fighting the good fight. It’s a great time to take a truly naked look at the things we did well, and resolve to stop making the same mistakes.
We spent so much time at work last year - communicating constantly with our co-workers and clients. Last year, some of our business communication was brilliant. Some of it could use a serious tune-up in 2009. And because we’ll probably spend at least as much time in the office this year, it’s time for some business communication resolutions:
RESOLVE to be nicer: The economy is sketchy. The world-scene is frightening. You and your co-workers are spending more time in the office and away from the people you love. All of that adds up to increased stress and an increased chance that you’ll be irritatable at the office. We’re all in the same boat! Resolve to eliminate snide comments, office gossip and back-stabbing. Tearing down a co-worker never improved the dynamic. As in all aspects of our lives, a little kindness can go a long way.
RESOLVE to speak like a human: Though you want to articulate a dynamic vision for how you’ll bring to bear the power of your best-of-breed ecosystem… STOP IT!! Please, let’s make 2009 the year we stop talking like Harvard case-study robots, and start speaking for real understanding. No one will think you any less brilliant. In fact, they might even get what you’re trying to say.
RESOLVE to bring your professional self to work: Businesses are struggling with economic realities, and they are looking for ways to stand out - to look better than their competition. Help them by bringing your most professional self to work. Reserve your blue jeans for nights and weekends. Yes, even on casual friday. Leave your flip-flops for the company picnic, and take down the pictures of your drunk weekend. Show more respect for your employer - and for yourself! No one ever lost a job for looking and behaving too professionally. If your employer has to downsize this year - and well they might - you want to be at your professional best. A thong sticking out is as good as an X on your back. Or your butt.
And I hope you resolve to keep your life in balance in 2009. Play hard, work hard - and bring your best to both!
Cheers!
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