Tough conversations at work can be difficult, derailing, and sometimes catastrophic. They don’t have to be though. Often we get caught up in the emotion of the moment. Perhaps we don’t take the time to structure our conversation. Our communication may be unclear and misleading causing greater obstacles to navigate. All of these reasons are common. With the pressure of business today conflict can be prevalent in many organizations. Having a strategy can make the world of difference.

Every business professional needs to master the skill of networking. It’s essential to build a network of supporters who can help you navigate difficult business and personal obstacles. However, it’s not that simple to always ask for assistance. A network needs to be seeded, watered and cared for long term. Often misconceptions about the purpose of a network present barriers to growing one effectively. The following eCourse is about building your network.

Recently I was asked to present a webinar for the Los Angeles Chapter of American Society for Training and Development. Although I am writing this blog post, well in advance, the purpose is to serve as a follow up for the attendees. The date of the webinar is May 6, 2010 at 12:30 Pacific Time. Although the link to register for the webinar is not up as of the publishing of this post, you can click on the ASTDLA link to stay updated.  My goal for the webinar is to help Learning Professionals move beyond skepticism regarding the use of Twitter, and see it as a evolution to the learning process.

Difficult people can range from a speed bump to Armageddon when it comes to progress. They can interrupt meetings, cause mutiny, raise your anxiety and in some cases make you think the unthinkable. Lucky for you and us, you haven’t acted on the latter (we hope). Difficult people are a challenge. This is true whether managing or simply falling in the rank and file. This blog entry will help you de-code their behavior and perhaps even turn those difficult people into one of your top performers or advocates.

This isn’t a movie review of my recent screening of George Clooney’s newest movie, “Up in the Air”, but more of a surgical dissection of a few of the leadership lessons I took away from it. Fear not, there are no spoilers so you still can see the movie, which by the way I did thoroughly enjoy. George Clooneys character and the situations presented were fairly realistic reflections of the anxiety that plagues much of today’s business world. Allow me to briefly set up the movie.