About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Winning Ways With People

Every month I receive the "Body Bulletin" from my retirement insurance plan. It has lots of good articles about health and exercise. This month, there's an article called "Winning Ways With People" and I thought I'd share it with you.



* Think before you speak. Say less than you think.


* Keep an open mind. Discuss rather than argue.


* Cultivate a soothing voice. How you speak often means more than your words.


* Respect the feelings of others.


* Refuse to discuss the shortcomings of others. To discourage gossip, change the subject.


* Exceed your employer's expectations of your work.




I think these are good tips not only for the workplace but also for dealing with family and friends, too. Needless to say, I'm perfect! (*tongue in cheek*) Are you?

21 comments:

geewits said...

Perfect? I'm happy if I can spend a day not being blatantly annoying.

I guess I've been behind over here because I just saw your Proust questionnaire. Good stuff.

Casdok said...

Not sure i have a soothing voice! But i do try and stick to all the others!

Russell said...

Good thoughts for any person!

I often tell my students I should have a pulpit instead of a lecturn! But I always, always tell them that communication skills are the most important ones they possess - and need to improve upon! (I know, I ended a sentence with a preposition, but forgive me...!!)

Without rambling too much, I tell them that if you approach a person in a positive, confident manner and look them in the eyes, you will come across as a strong, professional person. Nonverbal communication accounts for something like 90 percent of all communication.

A smile, an easy going manner, being able to listen are all traits that people like (normal people anyway...!!). If you approach a situation in a positive way, things will usually be fine. The poor person that attacks a situation in a negative way can be assured of a similar response!!

Nice post and great advice!!

Take care.

Lone Grey Squirrel said...

One of my favorite sayings, "If you remain silent, people may think that you are a fool but if you speak out, they will know for sure!"

Claire said...

I read these and decided like you Leslie I am perfect too which of course is exhausting!

Janice Thomson said...

Great post and good list Leslie. Thanks for sharing.

Leslie: said...

Hi geewits & casdok: it really can be annoying when one is perfect. *wink*
Hi casdok: I find the best way to have a soothing voice is to keep the volume down.
Hi russell: Yes, it's often not what you say, but how you say it. And a smile helps most of the time.
LGS: My mother used to say that to me all the time and I do try to remember that when faced with a difficult situation.
Hi Janice: thanks for popping by & happy you appreciated the post.

Liz Hinds said...

I'm perfect too! I never gossip!!! As if!

sandy said...

will this work with my daughter in law?????

Leslie: said...

sandy - just keep smiling! lol

Michele said...

I detest gossip in any workplace but it seems that wherever I go, it is always there and the more I avoid it, the worse it becomes because it seems that people think you're a snob if you don't participate in their "water cooler" discussions. Tsk tsk...

Ruth L.~ said...

Something to try for and be aware of . . . but perfect. . . . I've only been perfect once or twice. :>)

Nancy said...

Perfect, that's me, hehe! It is easier to be "perfect" now that I am retired, rested, and relaxed- all of the time (well most of the time)!

Great phrases for all of us to live by! Thanks for sharing.

jmb said...

Two out of six. Practically perfect.

Cultivate a soothing voice. How you speak often means more than your words.

Sorry, this is just so fifties and untrue.

But I do/did aim for the rest.

Jo said...

"Exceed your employer's expectations of your work."

I have always done that. It's excellent advice.

Mauigirl said...

Well, I do try to think before I speak, keep an open mind, not gossip, and consider other people's feelings. My voice? Not so soothing. In fact I tend to squeak when I get excited or annoyed! As for work, I don't know about exceed but I try to do my best...

Good post!

Rosie said...

aah so that's where I've been going wrong...

heiresschild said...

hi Leslie, i used to be perfect, then i got to really know myself. lol

i hadn't been blogging in a little bit. has your new grandbaby been born yet?

did you get my thank you card i mailed to you?

Country Girl said...

I'm not gossipping, I'm networking! I love it!

Kostas said...

Marvellous post, I thank that me you taught historical makes that I did not know!
Photograph with the writing splendid!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Far from it! Good tips.