• I’ve heard good things about you. Letting someone know that they’re liked by others helps them to like you. Warning: if you say, I have heard things about you, they will fear it’s negative!
• I think we have ___ in common. Holding things in common builds a relationship. Food, geography, people, find a connection!
• I’m following up about ____. Following up is very important and very few people do!
• Let’s set a definite time to get together! Rather than a lukewarm offer to get together “at some point”, get it on the calendar.
• Let me see if I understand where you’re coming from. This shows that you are listening.
• I’m not sure about that but I think we can do this. The that-this dynamic is effective because it acknowledges the other’s perspective and gives them a concrete option. Just because something isn’t a person’s first choice doesn’t mean it’s a bad one.
(From Communication Skills Program – Dr. Mimi Hull)
Six Things People Love to Hear
-
Dear Dr. Mimi – Backup
Dear Dr. Mimi,My boss favors another employee and schedules them for more shifts. We are on the same skill level and have had the same training, but I am being treated like a “backup” for them. I am afraid to bring this up to my manager for fear that they will reprimand or even fire…
-
Dear Dr. Mimi – Overworked Student
Dear Dr. Mimi,I am a working college student, and my company is supposed to be accommodating to students’ schedules. However, my boss keeps asking me to come into work at times she knows that I have classes or study groups. I have tried to make this issue known to her, but she keeps dismissing me.…
-
Dear Dr. Mimi — Frustrated
Dear Dr. Mimi,I trained a new employee about a month ago, but they still don’t seem to be getting it. They mess up almost every task I give them. What can I do to fix this? Should I just fire them?—Frustrated Dear Frustrated,It can be tricky working with new employees. If you think they are…
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.