Welchlin Communication Strategies

My last speaking event of 2024 was for the Dakota County Community Development Agency. The Dakota County CDA is a local government agency whose mission is to improve the lives of Dakota County residents. I have delivered a handful of presentations to this CDA staff over the years and know the impact they have on their communities. The Dakota County CDA administers over 30 different programs that serve the residents of Dakota County and manages over 2,900 units of affordable rental housing for working families and seniors. One of their goals is to enhance the economic vitality of the communities within Dakota County through housing and community development. #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #FarewellTour #OneLastTime

Some people stand really close to each other when they talk. Some people stand across the room when they chat. So, do you close the gap or ask people to back up and provide some space? Often different cultures have different orientations to social space. Spatial distance is just as powerful a communication component as sight, sound, smell, and touch. There are a number of different theories when it comes to space. Watch to learn about a few of them! #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #OneLastTme

You are a reasonable person, but maybe some of your coworkers by the middle of the morning start to become demanding, and picky, and angry, and start whining that nobody cares. Talk about difficult people. Have you ever wondered why do people become difficult? One of my favorite books is entitled, "Dealing with People You Can't Stand" written by Dr. Rick Brinkman and Dr. Rick Kirschner. The books claims that we all have four intentions in the workplace; to get it done, get it right, get along, and get appreciation. #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #OneLastTime

Do you get so sick of people that become angry and difficult? You wish they would leave and take their stinky dispositions with them. You don't want to understand them and you don't want to help them. However, you know it is an important part of your job. Then, you ask "How do I help difficult people?" It is emotionally draining to have to work with difficult people day after day. We wish they would just go away. But that would be taking the easy way out. #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #OneLastTime

As the year is ending and my Farewell Tour is coming to a close, I can't help but reminisce on all the amazing times I've had over the past 30+ years with Welchlin Communication Strategies. It has been an incredible ride, filled with unforgettable experiences and the privilege of working with such talented and inspiring people. If you feel like humoring me, share a favorite memory with Welchlin Communication Strategies in the comments below. Let's celebrate the good times together! #FarewellTour #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #Gratitude

When is the last time you have been complemented on your listening skills?

It was a lot of fun to speak at the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association’s Technical and Operations Conference in St. Cloud, Minnesota. My keynote presentation was on “Creating a World-Class Customer Service Culture” and my breakout session was on “Handling Difficult People.” When the power goes out, citizens can get a little wound-up and can become somewhat demanding. When an organization has had a history of delivering world-class customer service, people believe your team is doing their best and give you the benefit of the doubt. It is critical that when the lights go out, that your organization is prepared in advance to communicate effectively and respond professionally when people are scared and worried. I have delivered many presentations at MMUA events and find the folks that work in utilities to be some of the nicest people I have ever worked with. Be sure this holiday season to say, “Thank you” to your local utility workers. #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #OneLastTime

Wherever you go there is going to be someone that is difficult to work with. Sometimes a co-worker can become difficult and unreasonable temporarily. Sometimes you have a coworker that becomes difficult permanently. In this video, Kit Welchlin presents some techniques to minimize the damage to yourself and your organization. #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #OneLastTime

We are always judged by our poise and professionalism in the workplace even when we are under attack. In this video, Kit offers four techniques to neutralize those negative attacks that come from difficult people. Follow these four techniques to neutralize negative attacks. #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #OneLastTime

It is sometimes difficult to keep up with the trendy terms, the technical jargon, and the buzzwords. Here’s a new one: empowerment. Sounds like a fancy word for “someone dumping their work on me”. So, what is empowerment? What I have found is if you ask five different people that question, you will probably get five different answers. But there are some common themes that we can recognize concerning empowerment. #WelchlinCommunicationStrategies #OneLastTime #EmployeeEmpowerment