Editor's Picks

How to use humor in your conversations When people are looking to make friends, the qualities they are searching for are not identical from one person to the next. But one thing that normally tops the list when looking for a friend is a good sense of humor. A great sense of humor is an almost universally sought-after trait.

There is no magical formula for impressing someone with your sense of humor. But then, most good things in life don't come automatically or easily. While your ability to use humor in conversations will not change overnight, you can work to improve it. These tips will help you achieve your goal.

Studying the horse-human connection Yes, it's a rather strange title, but despite the rather fascinating analogy the author uses throughout, this piece is not about horses! Both men and women are struggling daily with misperceptions, misunderstandings, and rampant confusion as to how to communicate with people of the opposite gender, whose styles of communication and interpersonal interaction may seem very different from one's own. The communication and behavioral tips for both genders presented here will help improve productivity, working relationships, and chances for advancement in one's career.

This is quite a long tutorial, but well worth a careful study, especially if you want to succeed in the workplace (and yes, even if you're working in an all-men or all-women environment.)

How to impress your boss Whether you're working toward a raise, a promotion, or your work ethic just won't let you do otherwise, you probably aspire to hear the words "good job" from your boss. If that's you, one of the quickest ways to impress your boss is by making his or her life easier.

Although every supervisor is different and will be impressed by different actions, here are three things you can dothat are likely to give any boss a favorable impression of you.

Reading body language: 5 mistakes people make Human beings are genetically programmed to look for facial and behavioral cues. We see someone gesture and automatically make a judgment about the intention of that gesture. Indeed, the ability to 'read' nonverbal signals can provide you with crucial information about other people, which will give you a significant advantage in judging how to interact with them in all kinds of situations. But you have to avoid these five common mistakes that lead people right off the track when they attempt to read body language Check out all the details here.

Communication bloopers: funny, but no joke! When management recruitment ads call for excellent communications skills, do they mean the ability to use language in a clear and unambiguous way? Judging by the statements of some high-ranking executives and public officials, one might well be excused for believing just the opposite, as these amusing examples show.

Speak assertively...and win respect! If you want to put your relationships onto a more assertive footing, and earn more respect from others (while at the same time, showing your respect for them also), there’s no better way to do it than with these techniquesto put paid to the problem and give yourself a life again.

Conversing with highly opinionated people Unless we agree with them, talking with highly opinionated persons can be a real challenge. You've all heard the old adage that we should "never discuss politics or religion" because discussions on these topics can lead to contention and personal dislike. Often opinionated people identify personally with their opinions, dogmas or ideologies. When they discover that your opinion is different from theirs, they may personally feel challenged, as if you are questioning their intelligence or character. This can lead to unpleasantness and a feeling of frustration when you find yourself wittingly or unwittingly engaged in conversation with them. So how should you react on such trying occasions?

Easy ways to bring fun back to work Especially in these trying times, a little fun can go a long way - even in the workplace! When we lighten up, we reduce stress, break down barriers, open the way to more dialogue, and gain a renewed sense of hope. Try some of these fun ideas

How space invasion ruins business deals One of the easiest mistakes to make during a business encounter is to misjudge how much space the other person needs. Respecting another person’s space can help you build rapport with your colleagues and close sales with your clients. Learn why, and how to do it right.

Start your day with a vocal warm up Do you warm up your voice? If you don't, you should. Good speech takes muscle. And just as your leg muscles work better if you warm them up before a run, so will your speech muscles work better if you warm them up at the start of your day. Here's what to do...

How to speak about tough topics in tense times Most people avoid difficult conversations. In the workplace, for example, research shows that many folks will even leave their positions and walk away rather than manage any interpersonal conflicts. When sensitive issues go unaddressed, life can feel like walking in a minefield. Each step must be carefully taken. Even when you're hyper-vigilant, there is still the possibility of an unexpected 'Ka-BOOM!' It is not surprising, then, that people prefer to stay away from them.

But avoidance creates a false sense of safety. The mines are still there. Good communication skills will give you the confidence to walk in the minefields unscathed. Learn the secrets...