Healthcare Executive - September/October 2013 - 44

Professional Pointers

Offering an opinion as fact. We’ve all been guilty
of making declarations that sound as though they should
be carved in stone. For example, “That’s the best Italian
restaurant around.”

The fix: Make the other person feel good before you say
goodbye. “Richie, it’s been a pleasure (smile, offer your
hand), but I have to get back to my office. Hope to catch
you later.”

The fix: To avoid being labeled a know-it-all by your coworkers, colleagues and clients, all you have to do is
preface such statements with “It seems to me” or “I’ve
come to believe” or “I think.”

Spoiling a compliment. Many of us have a difficult
time accepting compliments. Two of the most common
mistakes people make are contradicting the person who
tells you that you look great, “Nah, I’m a mess today,” or
discounting their words by bouncing it right back, “You
too.”

Trying to be overly charming. Do you feel the
need to tell jokes, throw around fancy words and be the
life of the cubicle? Being overly charming can backfire.
The fix: Good conversationalists talk about plain, simple
subjects when trying to get to know and get along with
other people. Forget about being super eloquent, clever
or pretentious. Keep your exchanges simple and direct.
Trying to impress others will only come across as disingenuous and fake. It’s alienating to others.
Forgetting to speak body language. You may
be distracted at work and merely mumble a hello when a
co-worker walks past. Or when you meet someone new,
you simply announce your name and that’s your greeting.
Body language is as important as verbal language when
it comes to making first impressions, giving your message
effect and winning people’s trust.
The fix: When greeting a work associate, look up from
what you’re doing, make eye contact and smile. You’ve
just told that person with your body language, “You’re
worthwhile, and I’m glad to see you.” When meeting
someone for the first time, say your name while extending
a firm handshake; research shows the person is 75 percent more likely to remember you.
Exiting awkwardly. It’s common to have difficulty
ending conversations graciously with someone we’ve just
met, not to mention those annoying people who corner
us at the water cooler where we can’t easily escape.
Don’t make up an untrue excuse, such as a phone call
you’re (not) expecting, or say, “Well, uh, I gotta go.” If
you do, it will create a feeling of bad will.

Healthcare Executive
sEpt/oct 2013

The fix: Take it in, and let the other person know that
their gesture of generosity is meaningful. Smile, and say
something like, “Thanks! You made my day.”
Texting, not talking. How many times have you
been in the elevator or break room where people who
know each other are focused on their smartphones? This
sends a rude message to the other person that they don’t
matter. In business, it’s a missed opportunity to connect
and possibly learn something.
The fix: Save texting and emailing for times when you’re
alone or actually in the presence of strangers, such as on
the long commuter ride home on the train. Practice the art
of small talk by asking a polite question about a topic—a
current event, perhaps, or a specific detail about that person’s family or interests. “Have you been golfing yet this
year?”
Taking criticism poorly. There’s nothing worse than
an employee or co-worker who won’t hear feedback,
gets defensive and thus impedes progress at work.
The fix: Try to listen to what the other person is saying
about your work, not about you personally. Then respond
with a simple statement that shows appreciation, such as
“Thank you for pointing that out to me,” or “That’s really
helpful—you just did me a big favor.”
Source: Adapted from an article by Marvin Brown, author of How
to Meet and Talk to Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime: Simple Strategies
for Great Conversations.

Healthcare Executive - September/October 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Executive - September/October 2013