communication

The Abstraction ProblemAs technical people, when we give too much information in a project status meeting, we can overwhelm managers. Worse, if we don’t answer the implied question ("When is this thing going to be done?"), the managers will get answers elsewhere. Read on for ideas to get you speaking the same language.
A Simple Exercise to Strengthen Your Group

While engaged in the squabbles of the typical workday, it's sometimes hard to believe we're alike in any way at all. Yet, you and almost anyone else in your group have things in common that you don't know about because you haven't looked. Try finding what you and your group members have in common.

The Weakest Link in Your ChainThere is a saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. DevOps helps establish a pipeline to automate application and systems software deployments. DevOps also has an amazing way of very quickly discovering exactly which link in the deployment chain needs to be fixed or replaced.
Leveraging Learning Techniques for Distributed Agile TeamsCultural differences, geographical location, socio-economic level, and native language have a significant impact on learning styles. Understanding your global team and their preferred learning styles can play a big role in success. Explore these four different styles to get the most from your team.
Why It May Seem Like People Aren’t Listening to You

When you introduce a new policy or give instructions and people do something completely different instead, it can seem like they are deliberately ignoring you. But it might actually be something you are doing (or not doing). Consider three ways in which you could be contributing to the situation.

Averting Rude Behavior—Even if It’s Unintentional

How often do we glance a certain way, use a certain phrase, or make an innocuous comment and unintentionally offend a customer or coworker? Worse, how often do we do so and not even realize it? You don't have to worry whether every syllable or nod might cause offense. Just be conscientious.

Why Collaborative Workspaces Are Not for Everyone

Shared workspaces are becoming popular because they're said to encourage collaboration and interaction among employees. But a study of forty thousand American office workers found that they thought the downsides—increased noise levels and decreased privacy—outweigh the upsides. Let's take a look.

How to Give Instructions So That People Will Follow ThemIf you have asked for one thing and gotten another, maybe the problem is the way you gave the instructions. This is the “ curse of knowledge"; once you know something, it's difficult to imagine how it appears to someone who doesn't know. Read on to learn how to better communicate instructions.