Top tips

Below you'll find a selection of our Top 5 tips to help you in your daily work

1. Find out the other person’s stance by listening, before you communicate.

2. Allow enough time for discussion.

3. Act relaxed, interested and positive.

4. Pay attention to what they say and summarise appropriately “So if I understand this right, you want...” “I’m hearing that you....”

5. Speak slowly and clearly, with an even tone and volume.

1. Get your body language right e.g. good eye contact, smile, open stance.

2. Be assertive i.e. clear, direct, professional and approachable.

3. Understand what makes you feel confident and use these things.

4. Listen more than you talk, respond to show that you’ve heard the message.

5. Always follow up promptly on actions, meetings and requests.

1. Step into their shoes and see things from their side. Know their pressures.

2. Understand where your agendas match up and where they don’t.

3. Never get personal, avoid surprises, share information and your view.

4. Listen more than you talk.

5. Aim for win-win solutions, where everyone gains something.

1. Give direction, set clear standards and allocate clear roles.

2. Make enough time to listen to, understand and help your team.

3. Create development opportunities through coaching, shadowing, training.

4. Meet the team regularly. Encourage their feedback and act on it.

5. Acknowledge and reward good performance, deal with underperformance swiftly.

1. Create a “to do” list, as the first thing you look at each day and the last thing you update before you leave. 

2. Prioritise and know the difference between urgent and important.

3. Plan your time for the day / week / month, start tasks early if you can.

4. Know what your distractions are and work to remove or avoid them.

5. Take breaks and reward yourself for completing tasks on time.

1. Pinpoint sources of stress in your life, write down how each makes you feel.

2. Replace negative thinking (“I can’t...”, “No one cares....”) with positive thinking (“I can...”, “I will....”).

3. Regain control by clarifying your role, planning your time, learning to say no.

4. Take regular breaks away from your desk, especially when you are busy.

5. Sleep well, eat well, take exercise, talk things through with someone.