Perfect Phrases for Office Professionals: Hundreds of ready-to-use phrases for getting respect, recognition, and results in today’s workplace

Perfect Phrases for Office Professionals: Hundreds of ready-to-use phrases for getting respect, recognition, and results in today’s workplace

by Meryl Runion, Susan Fenner
Released July 2011
Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
ISBN: 9780071770545

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Book description

THE RIGHT PHRASE FOR EVERY SITUATION . . . EVERY TIME

As an office professional, you are the point person for critical day-to-day activities. That means effective communication with your manager and internal and external stakeholders is key to the success of your office and organization.

Perfect Phrases for Office Professionals has hundreds of ready-to-use phrases for any situation you’re likely to face. From defining your role in the office to promoting interdepartmental communication to getting the credit you deserve, this handy, quick-reference guide provides the most effective language to:

  • Establish a quality relationship with your manager
  • Clarify and manage assignments
  • Get results without formal authority
  • Handle customer complaints like a pro

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. PERFECT PHRASES™ for OFFICE PROFESSIONALS
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Contents
  5. Foreword
  6. Preface
  7. Introduction It’s a New World Out There
  8. CHAPTER 1 Perfect Phrases to Establish Yourself in Your New Role
    1. Perfect Phrases to Introduce Yourself to a New Manage
    2. Perfect Phrases to Forge a Manager/Admin Partnership
    3. Perfect Phrases to Relate Your Best Work and Communication Style
    4. Perfect Phrases to Discover Your Manager’s Preferred Work and Communication Style
    5. Perfect Phrases to Establish Your New Role with All Levels of Employees
    6. Perfect Phrases to Collaborate with Other Office Professionals
    7. Perfect Phrases for Questions About and Comparisons with Your Predecessor
    8. Perfect Phrases to Initiate Meaningful Small Talk
  9. CHAPTER 2 Perfect Phrases to Manage Inevitable Learning Curves
    1. Perfect Phrases to Ask for Help Getting Oriented
    2. Perfect Phrases to Handle Questions You Can’t Answer
    3. Perfect Phrases to Let People Know You’re New
    4. Perfect Phrases to Request More Detailed Explanations
    5. Perfect Phrases to Clarify Office Jargon
    6. Perfect Phrases to Get Support from People Who Know Your Job
    7. Perfect Phrases to Admit Mistakes and Look Good in the Process
    8. Perfect Phrases to Admit You Are in Over Your Head
  10. CHAPTER 3 Perfect Phrases to Establish Communication Agreements
    1. Perfect Phrases to Establish Communication Agreements with Your Manager
    2. Perfect Phrases to Establish Communication Agreements Within Work Groups
    3. Perfect Phrases to Arrange for Regular Meetings with Your Manager(s)
    4. Perfect Phrases to Assure That You Are Consulted on Decisions That Affect You
    5. Perfect Phrases to Discuss Solutions to Communication Breakdowns or Confusion
    6. Perfect Phrases to Explain Special Communication Needs
    7. Perfect Phrases to Adapt Communication Modalities to Preferred Styles
    8. Perfect Phrases to Select the Best Communication Technologies
    9. Perfect Phrases to Get the Focused Time You Need
  11. CHAPTER 4 Perfect Phrases to Manage Managers
    1. Perfect Phrases to Correct a Manager’s Mistakes
    2. Perfect Phrases to Get a Manager to Admit Mistakes
    3. Perfect Phrases to Break Bad News to a Manager
    4. Perfect Phrases to Organize Your Manager
    5. Perfect Phrases to Get Your Manager to Learn and Use the Latest Technologies
    6. Perfect Phrases to Challenge Questionable Decisions
    7. Perfect Phrases to Get Your Manager to Make You Look Good
    8. Perfect Phrases to Summarize Information
    9. Perfect Phrases to Get Your Manager to Prioritize Your Work
    10. Perfect Phrases to Suggest That Your Manager Ask for Help
    11. Perfect Phrases to Get Managers to Manage Rather than Abdicate
    12. Perfect Phrases to Give Advice to Managers
  12. CHAPTER 5 Perfect Phrases to Manage Multiple Managers
    1. Perfect Phrases to Clarify Your Role in Multiple-Manager Relationships
    2. Perfect Phrases to Get Multiple Managers to Collaborate When Delegating
    3. Perfect Phrases to Get Multiple Managers to Agree on Your Priorities
    4. Perfect Phrases to Address Late, Inaccurate, and Incomplete Projects
    5. Perfect Phrases to Get Yourself out of the Middle of Multiple-Managers’ Conflicts
    6. Perfect Phrases to Address Managers Who Bypass the System
    7. Perfect Phrases to Clarify Communication Pathways Among Multiple Managers
    8. Perfect Phrases to Handle Confidentiality with Multiple Managers
  13. CHAPTER 6 Perfect Phrases to Deal with Sticky and Unethical Situations
    1. Perfect Phrases to Address Disrespectful Manager Behavior
    2. Perfect Phrases to Address Inappropriate Manager Behavior
    3. Perfect Phrases to Respond to Unethical Requests
    4. Perfect Phrases to Respond to Unethical Behavior
    5. Perfect Phrases to Deal with Your Manager’s Family and Personal Requests
    6. Perfect Phrases to Deal with Inappropriate Personal Requests from Your Exec
    7. Perfect Phrases to Address Requests Outside the Scope of Your Job Description
    8. Perfect Phrases to Balance Loyalties to Company, Manager, and Others (Including Clients and Board)
    9. Perfect Phrases to Sidestep Being in the Middle of Rumors, Gossip, and Conflict
    10. Perfect Phrases to Deal Compassionately with Employee Personal Tragedies
    11. Perfect Phrases to Manage, Defuse, and Resolve Conflict
  14. CHAPTER 7 Perfect Phrases to Optimize Work-Flow Procedures
    1. Perfect Phrases to Get Support for Developing Standard Operating Procedures
    2. Perfect Phrases to Identify Obstructive, Counterproductive Procedures
    3. Perfect Phrases to Suggest Changes for Existing Standard Operating Procedures
    4. Perfect Phrases to Get Buy-In for New Procedures and Procedure Changes
    5. Perfect Phrases to Simplify Systems and Procedures for Clarity
    6. Perfect Phrases to Communicate Protocol for Work Requests and Assignments
    7. Perfect Phrases to Establish Administrative Deadlines
    8. Perfect Phrases to Address Procedure Violations
    9. Perfect Phrases to Establish Priorities for Reporting to Multiple Managers
  15. CHAPTER 8 Perfect Phrases to Make Requests and Negotiate
    1. Perfect Phrases to Negotiate with Vendors
    2. Perfect Phrases to Negotiate Assignments
    3. Perfect Phrases to Ask for General Help and Assistance
    4. Perfect Phrases to Ask for Tech Help
    5. Perfect Phrases to Ask for Additional Office Help
    6. Perfect Phrases to Request Technology Upgrades
    7. Perfect Phrases to Ask for Office Equipment
    8. Perfect Phrases to Request Reasonable Accommodation
    9. Perfect Phrases to Ask for a Raise
    10. Perfect Phrases to Ask to Be Sent to Conferences and Receive Training
  16. CHAPTER 9 Perfect Phrases to Clarify Job Expectations
    1. Perfect Phrases to Differentiate Between Job Standards and Goals
    2. Perfect Phrases to Clarify Job Description Content
    3. Perfect Phrases to Prioritize Job Activities
    4. Perfect Phrases to Align Your Job Priorities with Evaluation Procedures
    5. Perfect Phrases to Address Job Obstacles
    6. Perfect Phrases to Finesse Your Job Description
    7. Perfect Phrases to Enhance Your Job Responsibilities
  17. CHAPTER 10 Perfect Phrases to Clarify and Manage Assignments
    1. Perfect Phrases to Ask Questions to Clarify Work Assignments
    2. Perfect Phrases to Say Work Isn’t Ready for Admin Input
    3. Perfect Phrases to Make Your Work Visible
    4. Perfect Phrases to Decline, Adapt, or Defer Assignments
    5. Perfect Phrases to Get Results Without Authority
    6. Perfect Phrases to Delegate Up
    7. Perfect Phrases to Eliminate Unnecessary Paperwork and Bureaucratic Hurdles
    8. Perfect Phrases to Get a Manager to See You’re Stretched Too Far
    9. Perfect Phrases to Communicate the Scope and Challenges of an Assignment
  18. CHAPTER 11 Perfect Phrases to Be the Office Innovator
    1. Perfect Phrases to Offer Training and Coaching
    2. Perfect Phrases to Train and Coach Gracefully
    3. Perfect Phrases to Suggest New Opportunities
    4. Perfect Phrases to Express Opinions
    5. Perfect Phrases to Recommend Initiatives
  19. CHAPTER 12 Perfect Phrases to Bring Out the Best in Everyone
    1. Perfect Phrases to Promote Interdepartmental Communication
    2. Perfect Phrases to Get Office Members to Work Collaboratively
    3. Perfect Phrases to Encourage and Empower Office Members to Be Self-Sufficient
    4. Perfect Phrases to Address Company Layoffs and Terminations
    5. Perfect Phrases to Manage Emotions
  20. CHAPTER 13 Perfect Phrases to Speak for Your Manager
    1. Perfect Phrases to Get Your Manager to Authorize You to Speak on His or Her Behalf
    2. Perfect Phrases to Get Your Manager to Stop Undermining Your Authority
    3. Perfect Phrases to Get Your Manager to Credential You to the Rest of the Office
    4. Perfect Phrases to Get Others to Come Directly to You
    5. Perfect Phrases to Gracefully Inform Someone of Your Manager’s Mistakes
    6. Perfect Phrases to Make Your Manager Look Good
    7. Perfect Phrases to Address Complaints and Criticisms About Your Manager
  21. CHAPTER 14 Perfect Phrases for Professionalism and Empowerment
    1. Perfect Phrases to Determine and Expand Your Empowerment Level
    2. Perfect Phrases to Establish Peer Regard with Your Manager’s Colleagues
    3. Perfect Phrases to Get Others to Respect Your Profession
    4. Perfect Phrases to Get Others to Respect Your Professionalism
    5. Perfect Phrases to Get Others to Refer to Your Position Appropriately
    6. Perfect Phrases to Request Advanced Training or Education
    7. Perfect Phrases to Ask for Support in Obtaining Professional Certification
  22. CHAPTER 15 Perfect Phrases for Career Management
    1. Perfect Phrases to Identify Your Career Path
    2. Perfect Phrases to Request Strategic and Interesting Assignments
    3. Perfect Phrases to Tie Your Job Functions into Your Career Path
    4. Perfect Phrases to Tie Your Career Goals into Your Manager’s Best Interests
    5. Perfect Phrases to Position Yourself for Promotions
    6. Perfect Phrases to Request a Raise or More Responsibilities
    7. Perfect Phrases to Get a Manager to Give You Due Credit
    8. Perfect Phrases to Network for Career Advancement
    9. Perfect Phrases to Explain When Your Loyalties Have Changed Due to Promotion
    10. Perfect Phrases to Find a Good Mentor and Develop a Mutually Rewarding Relationship
    11. Perfect Phrases to Gracefully Leave a Job, a Manager, or a Work Team
    12. Perfect Phrases to Deal with a Demotion or Loss of Status
    13. Perfect Phrases to Address Getting Passed Over for a Promotion
    14. Perfect Phrases to Get Support for Involvement in a Professional Association
  23. Conclusion Office Professionals Can’t Afford to Play Small Anymore
  24. Resources
  25. About the Authors
  26. Footnote
    1. ch03_fn01
    2. ch15_fn01

Product information

  • Title: Perfect Phrases for Office Professionals: Hundreds of ready-to-use phrases for getting respect, recognition, and results in today’s workplace
  • Author(s): Meryl Runion, Susan Fenner
  • Release date: July 2011
  • Publisher(s): McGraw-Hill
  • ISBN: 9780071770545