Communication Archives

How to Confront a Coworker Professionally & Wisely

A woman confronting a coworker professionally with a plant in the background.

Do you have a colleague who’s difficult to work with? Is there a professional and wise way to deal with them? In The Asshole Survival Guide, Robert I. Sutton offers wisdom for dealing with jerks—rude and tyrannical people of all kinds—especially in the workplace. He discusses considerations you should address before deciding if and how to go on the offensive and shares direct and subtle methods of confrontation. Keep reading for Sutton’s advice on how to confront a coworker professionally that can help you keep your sanity and your job.

How to Deal With Toxic People at Work: 4 Practical Approaches

A man knowing how to deal with a toxic person at work by putting his hand up to him.

Are toxic people making your workplace intolerable? Are you afraid that confronting them will make things worse? Just as there’s no one definition of what makes someone toxic, there’s no one way to deal with a toxic person. You must judge for yourself what strategies will be best depending on the situation and the people involved. Keep reading for some practical advice on how to deal with toxic people at work from organizational psychologist Robert I. Sutton.

Why Asking Questions Is Important: 6 Reasons to Be Curious

A man thinking and wondering in front of a city.

Why is asking questions important? What are some ways to ask questions without overwhelming your conversation partner? If people never asked questions, we’d likely never make breakthroughs. On a smaller scale, questions open opportunities for further discussion that’ll teach you more about other people. Read more about why asking questions is important, from learning new things to avoiding assumptions.

How to Not Be a Pushover: 4 Strategies to Stand Your Ground

An upset woman surrounded by people who are asking her favors.

Do you want people to stop walking over you? Do you know how to not be a pushover? When someone is a pushover, it means they’re easy to influence or take advantage of. These kinds of people have a hard time standing up for themselves and usually want to please everyone at their own expense. Check out the problem with being a people pleaser and how to not be a pushover.

The Language of Violence: How Words Are Used Against Women

How is language used to hurt women? How can women use language to spread awareness about abuse and sexual assault? A major aspect of the mistreatment and control of women is silencing them. According to Rebecca Solnit, silencing women is effective because language has a major impact on people’s beliefs and perceptions. Let’s explore the language of violence and the negative and positive effects it can have.

5 Body Language Exercises: Practice Reading & Giving Cues

Have you ever wished you could tell what someone was really thinking? How skilled are you at reading people’s emotions? What do you communicate with your body? Body language is a huge but often missed aspect of communication. We’ve put together five body language exercises that will help you explore how you communicate with your body, practice giving and reading cues, and learn to use body language to establish presence in stressful or uncertain situations. Continue reading for these practical exercises you can use on your own or in a group setting.

The Growing Threat of Online Violence Against Women

Why are women attacked in online communities? What levels of violence do these threats reach? Rebecca Solnit explains that language can be used destructively against women. This is well illustrated by the way sexism and misogyny manifest in online communities and on social media. Find out more about the phenomenon of online violence against women.

How Men and Society Silence Women’s Voices

Why are women being silenced in society? What prominent figures have silenced their victims in the past? The authoritarian belief that men have the right to control women is what motivates misogyny and the mistreatment of women. According to Rebecca Solnit, mistreatment and control include silencing women’s voices. Continue reading to learn the many ways men have used their privilege to shut women down.

How to Define Bullshit: Is It Just a Modern Term for Rhetoric?

What does “bullshit” mean? Is it just another word for misinformation? Is it different from rhetoric? According to professors Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West, bullshit is defined as the use of misleading evidence to persuade an audience. They emphasize the importance of the phenomenon’s intent and how it’s put into operation. Read more to understand how to define “bullshit” according to Bergstrom and West in their book Calling Bullshit.

Bullshit Media: The Wild Propagation of Lies in the News & Online

Does it feel like you can’t keep up with all the misinformation out there—much less refute it? Are you stuck in an echo chamber? Bullshit can exist in any era. But, Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West contend that two components of contemporary society—the internet and the mainstream media—are particularly potent vehicles for spreading bullshit. Keep reading to understand the phenomenon of bullshit media.