5 tips for effective workplace communication

We're often overly ambitious when we make New Year's resolutions, which is why researchers say it's best to pick one resolution and "devote all your energy to it," writes author and speaker Eric Barker, who recommends writing down your plan in detail and making your goals small and achievable at first to create a new habit. "Then, once you've got some momentum, turn up the heat. It's like boiling a frog but with self-improvement instead of animal cruelty," Barker writes.

Put it into practice: Keep yourself accountable to your new goal by finding friends who are already doing what you want to do and "cling to them like a barnacle," Barker writes. "Their presence will remind you of your goal every time you try to backslide, like a walking, talking Post-it note of guilt."

Being a good communicator means that you care enough to communicate in ways people prefer, you listen closely, you're open to feedback and you take responsibility when you mess up, writes Shari Harley, founder and president of Candid Culture. Harley recommends preparing before you make a phone call and avoiding conversations when you're feeling busy, frustrated or tired.

Put it into practice: Improve your communication skills by listening not just to what another is saying but watching for non-verbal cues to sense their emotion, Harley writes. Listening and watching for body language allows you to alter your communication style to be better understood.

Pat Brothwell shares his unconventional New Year's resolution to be less productive, a decision that has surprisingly enhanced his professional success and personal happiness. Despite being a type A personality, Brothwell found that reducing productivity-focused tasks and prioritizing work-life balance led to more meaningful work outcomes.

Glitter pickles -- or "glickles" -- have become a viral sensation on social media, particularly on TikTok, where videos of pickles in glitter-infused brine have garnered millions of views. The trend involves adding edible glitter to jars of pickles, creating a visually striking snack.

I'm not a huge fan of New Year's resolutions (I mean, every day could start a "new year" if you want to make a change in your life, right?), but at the beginning of 2024, I vowed to get more exercise. I began a daily practice of yoga to improve my flexibility and strength. I am proud to say that I have skipped very few days of this practice over the past year and am indeed more flexible and strong. This year, I plan to expand my exercise goals to include more cardio and strength.

I am tempted to add a whole list of other activities I plan to make habits over the year, such as more guitar practice, more reading and an improved diet. However, I see the wisdom in the research Eric Barker writes about. I succeeded this year because I chose ONE thing to work on -- my fitness and flexibility. I developed other good habits along the way. My diet did improve this year and I have done more reading and guitar playing. By focusing on one thing, initially, I found that I had more motivation to do the other stuff, too.

Are you making resolutions this year? Did you make any last year that you stuck with? Let me know!

If this newsletter helps you, please tell your colleagues, friends or anyone who can benefit. Forward them this email, or send this link.

What topics do you see in your daily work that I should know about? Do you have any feedback you'd like to share? Drop me a note. And while you're at it, please send me photos of your pets, your office and where you spend your time off so we can share them.