Carol Grubbe

Communication Made Simple

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PINS AND NEEDLES: ADAPTING COMMUNICATION STYLE CAN RESOLVE WORKPLACE CONFLICTS

Have you ever had that one co-worker who you have no idea how to talk to or even approach them?

Either what you say is not being heard or they never agree with you. Every. Single. Time.

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Have you ever had that co-worker who you have no idea how to talk to or even approach them?

Either what you say is not being heard or they never agree with you.

Every. Single. Time.

Or maybe you work with that person who flies off the handle over the smallest things. Leaving you nervous to approach them because you know it will bite you in the – – -!

Spiky plant. Picture used to depict importance of communication styles. Especially with someone who leaves feeling like you are on pins and needles!

It’s like walking on pins and needles.

OUCH!!!

So, how do you talk with this person when you need something from them?

Well, you could slip a note under the door. Or maybe send another poor sap to go in and talk with them. But would you really make someone else suffer?

You would rather have said nothing at all than to face the wrath!

But what if you KNEW they just liked direct, straight to the point, no frills communication?

I’ve experienced this myself!

Since I really liked my job and my clients, I decided to change my communication style based on the individual.

Normally, I would write in my emails with lots of exclamation points, LOLs, some added commentary.

But, nope! Not with this co-worker. I totally changed it and did the opposite. I went straight to the point with facts or my reasons.

It changed everything!

After a few months, I began to really understand this person more and respected them. I was SO glad I changed how I talked with them because it totally changed our relationship.

If your team is having internal conflicts or maybe you are losing team members because of this one person? Know that it doesn’t have to be that way.

Let’s talk. Reach out to me at carol@carolgrubbe.com today to discuss your situation!

Carol Grubbe LLC: Communication Made Simple
Understanding how to communicate with your team is as simple as knowing their communication style.

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My husband and I recently went camping in the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

There was one particular cactus that I just fell in love with called a teddy bear cholla.

If you were to see it in the sunlight, the top of it almost glows with its bright white spines while the bottom has brown spines looking like teddy bear legs. From a distance, it looks like something I could run up to and give a hug! (Don’t worry. I didn’t.)

Teddy bear cholla cactus. A cactus with spines. Picture being used to depict the difference between effective and ineffective leaders.

Now, you might be wondering, “Why is she talking about a cactus?”

Trust me. I’ve got a point and it has to do with effective communication!

Some cacti, like the teddy bear cholla, have spines to protect themselves from predators. Prickly, one might say. In a way, being very direct with making their statement known.

However, while most cacti do have spines, some do not.

For example, we have one at our house called the Opuntia aurea. Because this type of cactus has no spines, we like to refer to it as the “spineless” cactus.

Opuntia aurea. A spineless cactus. Picture being used to depict the difference between effective and ineffective leaders.

Well, these cacti got me thinkin’!

When I hear the word ‘spineless’, my first thought isn’t usually about a cactus. Instead, I think of people and, in particular, leaders.

I have experienced a lot of managers throughout my careers.

Many could be considered ‘spineless’. The type of managers who would let people walk all over them. They didn’t seem to have the ‘spine’ to manage internal conflict.

It felt like the office didn’t really have a manager, much less a leader.

But when I think of the managers who did have ‘spines’? I think of those who stood up for their teams. Those who had tough conversations with their employees. The ones that reached out to me if they saw I needed help.

I now realize that these managers had one thing in common.

They knew how to effectively communicate with their various team members to get the job done.

If you are a manager or leader, how effective are you in that role? Are you a prickly teddy bear cholla or more like the spineless Opuntia aurea?

Either way, I’m here to help you become a better manager and leader through effective communication! Visit carolgrubbe.com/inspire-leaders to see how I can do just that.

Carol Grubbe LLC:  Communication Made Simple

Understanding how to communicate with your team is as simple as knowing their communication style.