A good friend called the other day seeking advice on how to handle a tyrant in the office. Her co-worker, who was higher up the ladder, had a habit of verbally abusing the staff.   Life in the office became “my way or the highway” and people were edgy and defensive.  The worst part of the story was that everyone in the office was beginning to adopt a similar approach to communication. A plague was spreading through the office.   

We discussed a few alternatives for dealing with a dictator, and my friend went back to work. The next day she phoned, singing, “Ding-dong the witch is dead! Which old witch? The wicked witch! Ding-dong the wicked witch is dead…”  The tyrant had been terminated.

But, there was still a problem in the office…the communication plague. Rather than beating each other into submission, the staff needed to relearn diplomatic negotiation and persuasion skills. I pulled together a quick bit of advice for my friend and posted it here at Associated Content. Take a look, because mastering the skill of persuasion can reduce workplace stress, increase productivity, and open the door to career opportunities.