Performance Reviews, Part I: How to Write Evaluations that Serve Employees and Organizations Alike

By Caroline M. Cole In the coming months, organizations may see an uptick in the number of employees stepping up their game; adopting their best behaviors; and working to make the strongest impression on supervisors, coworkers, subordinates, and clients—sure signs … Continue reading

How to Dazzle During an Interview

By Caroline M. Cole Many applicants know what they should do during an interview, and most can identify what they should not to do. Unfortunately, the conventional do’s and don’ts list applicants use when preparing for interviews configure these discussions … Continue reading

Setting Boundaries to Increase Productivity, Sanity, and Good Will

By Caroline M. Cole You’re working on a report that’s due by the end of the day and the phone rings; it’s a client you haven’t talked to for a while, wanting to discuss an idea for a new campaign. … Continue reading

“To My Dearest Reader:” Salutations to Target and Engage the Unacquainted

By Caroline M. Cole In a digital world, letters are less common than they used to be, but when they do appear, they may incorporate outdated salutation references or presumptuous forms of address, both of which can start communication on … Continue reading

To Make the Greatest Impression on Others, Listen Up!

By Caroline M. Cole In 1968, American visual artist and leading pop art figure Andy Warhol observed that “in the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes,” and the decades since have exploded with venues to make that possible. Television talk … Continue reading

Bypass Slogans and Develop a Mission Statement to Build and Pitch Your Reputation

By Caroline M. Cole DeBeers claims a “diamond is forever,” Exxon wants to be “a tiger in your tank,” Timex “takes a licking and keeps on ticking,” Energizer “keeps going and going and going,” and “Like a good neighbor, State … Continue reading

The Power of Words, for Bad and Good

By Caroline M. Cole Last week it was Rebecca Ann Sedwick, age 12, but there have been others: Erin Gallagher, 13. Bart Palosz, 15. Katie Webb, 12. Amanda Cummings, 15. Ryan Patrick Halligan, 13. Audrie Pott, 15. Phoebe Prince, 15. … Continue reading

Early, Prompt, Fashionably Late, or Rude? Punctuality as a (Slippery) Virtue

By Caroline M. Cole Colleagues walking into a meeting mid-discussion. Classmates strolling into a lecture in progress. Patrons looking for a seat once the movie or performance has begun. Patients checking in after scheduled appointments. Guests showing up as others … Continue reading

To Understand Why Everyone Should “Do Grammar,” Look to Ancient Greece

By Caroline M. Cole A National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) discussion on LinkedIn asked members to list their “BIGGEST grammar pet peeve… the one you would seriously consider giving real years of your life just to get students … Continue reading