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New & Improved! How many times have you seen that on a product label? And just how improved is it? It might have a new scent, slightly improved packaging, or perhaps a new ingredient that doesn’t really translate to an increased benefit. So, from the user’s perspective, it’s not very improved at all. This is [...]

You may have seen Anne Kreamer’s post at HBR.org, about the potential career impact of using headphones in the office. After outlining a number of pros and cons about headphone use in today’s changing workplace, Kreamer offered her opinion: But organizations need to develop protocols that avoid making isolation the universal default office norm, and that [...]

We talk a lot about communication on this blog. We advise you on what to do about mismatches in communication styles,  how to communicate with difficult people, and we provide shortcuts to better communication. We’ll even tell you why your communication stinks. But we don’t specialize in communication channels, or the history behind them. Perhaps that’s why this [...]

It’s not uncommon to read through the results of your DISC assessment and disagree with some of it. But that doesn’t mean your report isn’t accurate. Our coaches here at Balanced WorkLife have a bit of experience with folks who want to argue over the content of their DISC reports. And I was one of [...]

How well do you listen? Do you give people your full attention when they speak, or are you preparing a strategy and waiting for your turn to talk again? Active listening involves hearing a person’s words, understanding their message and its importance to them, and communicating that understanding back to the person. But how often do [...]

Even if you’re not a fan of the Mythbusters, you’ve probably heard of them. Unless you’re anti-Discovery Channel, you’ve likely seen these guys attempt to prove (or disprove) urban legends and modern-day tall tales. Although the team has grown since the show’s humble beginnings in 2003, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman are the primary Mythbusters. And while [...]

There’s a sign in our office that makes me smile every time I look at it. Since clear and purposeful communication is the basis for nearly everything we do at BalancedWorklife, it’s a great daily reminder. Yes, even communication specialists sometimes need to be reminded that the message they intended to deliver isn’t always what gets [...]

“I can’t deal with him. He’s just so annoying.” Ever said that? Or something close to it? You might not realize that your annoyance is costing you. Big time. Although choosing to focus on a person’s annoying tone of voice, their annoying (lack of) manners, or their annoying habit of arranging their desk “just so” [...]

A few years back, I was mentoring Jen – a much younger friend of mine. Just a year out of college, Jen had established her own business, consulting with individuals and small firms on personal productivity and office organizing. Business was good, but not without some occasional bumps and bruises. As a result, we ended [...]

Sometimes your customers drive your organization to greater levels of success: they might reveal profitable needs you hadn’t previously considered fulfilling, their high expectations can inadvertently identify new opportunities for your company,  or their glowing satisfaction can result in a wave of referrals and a continuous stream of new business. And sometimes your employees do [...]