Communication and technology—are they enemies?

I've been worried about this question for some time. In our headlong rush to create technology that helps us say more things to more people on more subjects in more places faster than every before—have we lost the ability to communicate on a human level? I believe in the workplace this has happened more often than we think.

As a manager, you must communicate effectively with people below, above and beside you on the corporate hierarchy. If you don't, you won't be effective as a manager. So anything you can do to improve your skills in this area is an investment in your career.

"Crucial Conversations" is a fabulous book that addresses the art of discussing touchy things in a civilized way, and this article is an interview with the author. Check it out — here's the link.

IT Business Edge

Networking: an essential management skill

Here's a great article by my friend and colleague, Lynda Goldman. Follow these tips next time you must attend a networking event, and see how much more successful you'll be.

Sales Exchange

E-mail accumulates when you are away

I've just come back from a couple of weeks on vacation, which is why you haven't heard from me for a while. I spent all day yesterday wading through a pile of e-mail, which is how most managers spend their first day after vacation.

Here's a tip to lighten the post-vacation e-mail load. If you have even sporadic access to a computer, either a laptop or even an Internet cafe, do visit your e-mail as often as you can. Note I didn't say read it, or answer it, but just visit and it should last just five minutes or so. All you need do is quickly scan to trash any accumulated junk. Also, if you get a lot of e-zines as I do, put them all in a separate folder where they will stay until you have time to read them on your return. That will isolate the real messages, which makes it easier to deal with them on your return.

Try to avoid actually answering e-mail while you are on holiday because it takes your mind out of vacation mode. But just a few moments every couple of days or so can make life much easier when you get back.