communication | TechWell

communication

Groups of people networking at a conference Learning to Network: Fake It till You Make It

Failure is part of learning; we have to do things we are not good at in order to become better at them. To learn networking, we have to take the risk of failing and do what we fear. This means taking small steps to open up, asking questions, and listening—and even pretending to be interested until you really are!

Isabel Evans's picture
Isabel Evans
Unapproachable man scowling at his computer Are You Unintentionally Unapproachable?

Could you be giving off an air of unapproachability without meaning to? Is it possible that you exhibit some unwelcome behaviors that are so subtle you’re not even aware of them? Think about whether you have any of the following habits that could give your coworkers the impression that you are unapproachable.

Richard Estra's picture
Richard Estra
A speaker giving a presentation to a room full of people Simple Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills

If you want to improve your presentation skills, then whenever you attend a presentation, pay attention not just to the content, but also to the delivery of that content. In doing so, note what strikes you as positive or negative about the presentation. Then strive to emulate the positives and avoid the negatives.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
An empathetic software professional talking to her coworker Why Software Careers Are Great for Empathetic People

In a skills-driven world like IT, you should have programming knowledge, good communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. But being a highly empathetic person means you also have a set of soft skills that can give you an edge to have a great career in software. Here's why your strengths are a good fit for IT.

Miles Maftean's picture
Miles Maftean
Red "Emergency pull" lever How to Manage Effectively during a Company Crisis

Regardless of the size and scope of a crisis, any hope of resolving it quickly is made worse by something that often happens: when those in charge handle the situation poorly, such as going into denial, blaming others, or trying to resolve the situation secretly. Here's how you should deal with a company crisis.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Man shaking client's hand To Serve Clients Better, Learn Their Perspective

If your goal is to improve service delivery to your customers, it's a good idea to ask for and incorporate input from those very customers. Invite your clients to outline priorities, get clarification on points that confuse them, and vent frustrations. They'll appreciate being heard, and you'll both learn a lot.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten
Team members having a productive conversation in a meeting 3 Ideas to Prevent ‘All Talk and No Action’ Meetings

When many people are speaking in a meeting but it never translates into meaningful actions later on, it can leave us frustrated. But with some planning and collaboration, we can facilitate ways to make it easier for people to communicate better. Here are three ideas for a little less conversation, a little more action.

Barbara Kephart's picture
Barbara Kephart
Woman with her finger of her lips in a shushing gesture Use Silence as a Powerful Tool to Get Feedback

If you want feedback from your users, sometimes the best technique for gathering information is staying silent. After someone responds to your question, instead of continuing the conversation, just pause. This encourages the other person to keep talking, and that's when you may get the most valuable information.

Naomi Karten's picture
Naomi Karten