Workplace Communication

The kids on the small floating village of Koh Panyee in Thailand had a problem: Though their village held not an inch of soil, they were determined to start a soccer team and play the game they spent hours watching on television ... Now the Panyee Football Club is regarded as one of South­ern Thailand’s best soccer teams.

It took Apollo 12 astronauts Alan Bean and Pete Conrad exactly two tries to figure out the equation for teamwork on the lunar surface. Lesson: Teamwork takes practice. Don’t expect it to go perfectly the first time.

Employees who turn out not to meet the definition of “disabled” can still sue for disability discrimination based on their employer’s perception that they are disabled. That doesn’t mean, however, that supervisors can’t express concern and sympathy when an employee reveals a problem. Nor does it mean they can’t offer accommodations at that point or explain what types of leave are available.

Diane started out as an administrative assistant at her current company, then applied as a client services coordinator. The good news is she got the job. The bad news is her admin tasks didn’t disappear. What should she do?

Manners are an important part of the work world. And knowing cultural and regional differences is just as important as we move toward a more global economy. Here's what recently polled admins and executives had to say about business etiquette.

Reconnect with someone in your network with these two steps: 1. Don’t pretend that no time has passed. Instead of ignoring the ele­phant in the room, give the time lapse some rationale. 2. Explain the “why now?” Include the event that prompted you to get back in touch.

Do you tend to eschew the limelight, think before you speak or feel most ener­gized by spending time alone? In a survey by TheLadders.com, 65% of senior managers said that introversion was an impediment to reaching higher management levels. That finding is easily debunkable.

Whenever possible, choose concrete words to express your ideas, says Deborah Dumaine, author of Write to the Top. “Abstract writing is open to many interpretations, all potentially inaccurate,” she says. “Make a real effort to clarify your ideas so that the reader understands your intention.”

Every day brings new initiatives, new market developments, new personnel. Sometimes, I wish I could download every last bit of the latest news and e-mail everyone, so that no one feels left out. In theory, the managers who report to me are supposed to relay my messages to the troops. Here's how I make sure my messages cascade down accurately:

The time to register for those fall-season administrative profes­sional conferences is now. As appealing as they look, though, are they worth the cost and time investment?