What is Professional Presence? A person has professional presence if they conduct themselves in a confident and professional way. Being “professional” typically means keeping your conversations focused on work, and avoiding personal or potentially sensitive matters. However, professionalism also can mean many different things depending on your work environment and office culture. Some offices are … Read more
We all want to be liked, even managers and leaders. While making friends with as many people as possible is a great way to network, it’s not a good way to lead. Of course, a friendly and comfortable work environment is important. But resist the temptation to become friends with your subordinates. When on the … Read more
Assertiveness doesn’t come naturally to a lot of us. It can often bring about an uncomfortable feeling that we’re rocking the boat or disrupting the status quo. So many of us are inclined to try to “fit in”, whether that’s within our families, with colleagues or friends. Nevertheless, assertiveness is an important skill to master … Read more
Getting Started with Networking Skills Expos, trade shows and conferences are great opportunities to build new connections in your industry. But what’s the best way to start conversations with people at these events? Here are some simple strategies to get things moving. I also discussed networking skills and a variety of tactics with Julie during … Read more
Technical Presentations Here are three strategies that you can use to improve your skill at technical presentations and communication, especially when speaking to non-technical audiences. This is a frequent challenge I see with data scientists, BI analysts, financial experts, and others from a variety of different technical fields. Many of these individuals have to present … Read more