Laurie Wilhelm
Laurie Wilhelm is the author of the Express Yourself to Success. This eBook and website are designed to help you achieve success more quickly by using strong verbal communications skills. Achieve your success by working with others through improved social and interpersonal skills, public speaking, networking, negotiation, and conflict resolution. Find out how you can give your career a boost by going to www.expressyourselftosuccess.com.
Articles by this Author
How to Get People at Your Table Talking
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 10/9/2008
- Communication
- Unrated
Have you ever gone to a workshop or event where the attendees were all sitting tables of about six or eight and where no one was talking to one another? There's that awkward silence before the session begins and no one knows what to say. If you find yourself in such a situation, here are some suggestions that may help you to get everyone at the table talking and bring them together.
Don't Think You're Boring? Think Again
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 10/8/2008
- Personal Development
- Unrated
Nobody likes to think they're boring, yet it's easy to get wrapped up talking about things that you find interesting but that other people don't find as exciting. Being aware of how others are responding by their interaction and body language is a really important social skill. Here are five cues to look for that can tell you if you're boring the daylights out of someone.
How Many Social Skills Will Make You Successful?
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 08/4/2008
- Personal Development
- Unrated
The thing with social skills is that just having a couple won't make you succeed socially. We find ourselves in many different situations everyday where we need a combination and variety of skills to make us socially well-rounded. There are many subtle yet valuable skills that take some conscious awareness to recognize and rehearse.
Maybe It's Not You - Maybe It's Them
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 08/3/2008
- Personal Development
- Unrated
Most people recognize that part of their difficulty in social situations is that their own communication and social skills aren't very good. It's true that if you lack various social skills then you're most likely part of your problem. But let's look at this deficit from a different perspective: is it really all your fault? Does everyone around you have stellar social skills?
How Can You Improve Your Social Skills?
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 07/29/2008
- Personal Development
- Unrated
One common suggestion that is recommended for improving social skills is to practice. Practice meeting other people, going to social events, joining clubs, taking classes or practice being with different people in various situations. But practice what? Going to social events are the places to practice. Knowing how to interact while you're there is what to practice.
The Art of Poor Listening
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 07/23/2008
- Personal Development
- Unrated
Poor listening is an art. Fortunately, it's a talent that's easy to master. It takes little effort and if you're really good at it, you'll be able to quickly tune out the speaker or, better yet, get him to stop talking so that you can start. Here are five key ways to be an exemplary bad listener.
Characteristics of Good Constructive Feedback
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 06/11/2008
- Communication
- Unrated
We often confuse feedback with criticism - probably because much of our experience with it has had more to do with what we've done wrong than what we've done right or how we could do better. This is unfortunate. Feedback should not be viewed as a personal assault or a list of errors, mistakes, or mishaps. While the content of the feedback can be negative its delivery can always be constructive.
One Step to Making Small Talk
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 06/11/2008
- Communication
- Unrated
Just the thought of small talk congers up painful memories of stilted conversations that revolved around the weather and umpteen other dreadfully boring topics. Fortunately, the key to making good small talk is simple: be interested in other people. Here are a few small-talk tips to get the conversation going.
Four Common Myths About Social Skills
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 06/11/2008
- Personal Development
- Unrated
Many people misunderstand what social skills are - and what they're not. Here's a quick look at a few common myths and some information on what social skills really are.
Five Tips to Help You Improve Your Social Skills
- By Laurie Wilhelm
- Published 06/10/2008
- Personal Development
- Unrated
The expression "the total is greater than the sum of its parts" resonates loudly with respect to social skills. Knowing what to say and how to act are basic social skills that anyone can learn. Techniques and methods are available to develop all social skills. Here are five tips on how to learn and integrate social skills into your daily life.