6 Simple Changes That Will Boost Your Influence at Work

6 Simple Changes That Will Boost Your Influence at Work6 Simple Changes That Will Boost Your Influence at WorkThis article is from our friends at DailyWorth, a premier site for all things money, career, and entrepreneurship.Before there was The Power of Positive Thinking and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, there was Dale Carnegies How to Win Friends and Influence People, arguably one of the first self-help bestsellers in history. Since Carnegie first penned this guide in 1936, more than 15 million copies have been sold. What makes this book endure? At its core, the book teaches readers how to gain influence and power over others, not by force but with kinder, gentler means. Simply put, to change others behavior, you have to first alter your own. ansicht days, we have social scientific research to back up a lot of Carnegies claims. Here are some that have stood the test of time, plus what new research has shown us.1. Listen UpThink you can win friends with your gift of gab? T hink again, says Columbia University research published in the Journal of Research in Personality. When subjects were asked to rate former work colleagues, scientists found those with the most influence were the best listeners, not talkers. Many academic and popular accounts stress that those capable of effective expression- speaking up and holding-gesellschaft forth- often garner influence, say the study authors. But research suggests otherwise Those who listen well may reap both informational and relational benefits that make them more influential. The reason? Hearing what colleagues have to say fosters two key elements for gaining influence forming trust and learning new information.2. Forget Stats, Get PersonalNumbers may not lie, but it looks like they may not have the same powerful effect as personal stories, according to University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of Business research. Trying to get others behind you on a particular cause or agenda? Appeal to their emotions, a nd skip the stone-cold facts even when theyre irrefutable. When the study authors evaluated subjects reactions to a charitable cause, grim stats still didnt move them to action as much as personal stories that tugged at their heartstrings.3. Start Saying Yeah MoreWhen MIT researchers studied the art of the successful business meeting, they found it possible to predict if a proposal would be accepted or rejected- just by the kinds of persuasive words used by the speaker. Two of most powerful words for the boardroom yeah and start.It appears when you begin a response with the positive word, yeah, youre framing a suggestion as an agreement with a previous suggestion, say the authors. Apparently, when your idea comes across as if it were in line with the previous thoughts by others, the suggestion has a higher weg of being accepted. In a similar fashion, begin with the word start when giving a command. The MIT researchers found meeting attendees complied more readily when this kinder, g entler version of do this was used.4. Smile Genuinely (and Dont Keep Eye Contact for Too Long)To just grin and bear it may not do you any good when youre trying to gain influence. People can usually tell youre faking it, say researchers. Drum up a real smile, dubbed a Duchenne smile for the 19th century French neurologist who first formally documented the physical attributes of a genuine smile (that is, your cheeks rise and you create crinkles or crows feet around your eyes), and you can actually persuade people youre authentic and trustworthy. Even when youre good at showcasing your Duchenne, be sure you dont hold the gaze of the listener for too long or youll undermine your persuasion, found research published in the Journal of Psychological Science. A new study suggests that eye contact may actually make people more resistant to you, especially if theyre inclined to disagree with you in the first place. Looking into someones eyes can also be perceived as an attempt to stare down or exert dominance, a real no-no in the Carnegie school of influence. Looking at the other persons mouth can help take the edge off in a potentially heated conversation.5. Dont Avoid ApologizingSaying youre sorry doesnt undermine your influence (as long as you use it sparingly, and when youve genuinely done something you know you shouldnt have). Rather, it can strengthen your appeal to those around you, say scientists. In one Harvard Business School study, researchers discovered apologies can build trust in those around you by demonstrating empathetic concern. In another study on the effectiveness of apologies by managers, Israeli study authors concluded similarly that apologizing is more effective than not. In fact, the less expected they are, the greater their effectiveness.6. Give Lots (and Lots) of PraiseDont skimp on the compliments, even when you actually want to improve the performance of those around you, found Japanese researchers. When study subjects were praised for their sequential finger-tapping ability, their actual fine motor skills improved after a mere 24 hours (a time gap chosen so they wouldnt have time to practice)- thanks to the compliments they received. These results are the first to indicate praise-related improvements in motor skill memory are not due to a feedback-incentive mechanism, but instead involve direct effects on improving motor skills, say the authors. How can we apply this on the job? Praise the new assistant who got through her first week without (too many) glitches. It will set the tone for her to put her all into a workplace that appreciates her skills.More From DailyWorth7 Soft Skills You Need for Career SuccessBe More Powerful No Matter What Your Job TitleDont Let Your Co-workers Bring You DownPhoto of woman working courtesy of Shutterstock.

ASME Pipeline Technology and Standards Training Week to be hel...

ASME Pipeline Technology and Standards Training Week to be hel... ASME Pipeline Technology and Standards Training Week to be hel... ASME Pipeline Technology and Standards Training Week to be Held in AprilASME Training and Development will offer a special Pipeline Technology and Standards Training Week event from April 11 to 14 in Denver, Colo. Discounted registration rates are available for ASME members as well as attendees who register for more than one course during the training event, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt Denver.With input from pipeline experts and ASME Code leaders, ASMEs Pipeline Technology and Standards Training Week is designed to meet the training needs of pipeline engineers and technical professionals who are involved with the design, construction and operation of oil and gas pipelines. The training event is comprised of a variety courses that focus current technologies, codes and regulations, and key issues relevant to todays market. The courses, which are conducted by established industry experts and code authorities, will feature discussions on proven techniques and best practices for pipeline design, construction, and integrity management.One highlight of the training event will be the plenary session, Pipeline Safety Implications of Proposed Rule Making (Recent NPRMs), which will be held Tuesday, April 12 from 400 p.m. to 530 p.m. This special workshop, to be led by the training events co-chairs, Thomas Bubenik and Keith Leewis, will discuss the recent proposed rule makings for liquid transmission pipelines and future gas transmission pipelines. The session will provide attendees with a review of the recent NPRMs and an open discussion of these new U.S. pipeline regulations and their implications. The remainder of the event will consist of 11 training courses, including five courses that will make their debut in Denver Pipeline Stress Corrosion Cracking Management, on April 11 and 12 Integrity Management of Natural Gas Pipelines U sing ASME B31.8S Standard, on April 11 and 12 Integrity and Repair of Process Piping and Tanks, on April 11 and 12 Pipeline Defect Assessment, on April 12 and 13 Pipeline Integrity Issues, Mitigation, Prevention Repair Using ASME B31.8S Standard, on April 13 and 14.The other classes to be presented during Pipeline Technology and Standards Training Week are Onshore Pipeline Design and Construction, to be held April 11 and 12 ASME B31.4 B31.8, Liquids and Gas Pipelines, from April 11 to 13 ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code, from April 11 to 14 Practical Welding Technology, from April 11 to 14 Bolted Joint Assembly Principles Per PCC-1-2013, on April 13 and 14 and In-Line Inspections for Pipelines, on April 13 and 14.ASME members who register for the event can save up to $200 on the price of course registration. Attendees who sign up for multiple courses will save an additional 15 percent on registration.To learn more about Pipeline Technology and Standards Training Week, or to register , visit http//go.asme.org/pipelinetraining. For more information on the training events technical program, contact Jennifer Delda, manager, ASME Training and Development, at deldajasme.org.

How caring for your feet affects your body and workplace health

How caring for yur feet affects your body and workplace healthHow caring for your feet affects your body and workplace healthIts important to put your best foot forward right? In order to do that, lets take a closer look at our actual feet.1. A firm foundationAny house thats constructed starts with the foundation. And the foundation of an organization or company is the mission statement the crux of what it does. In the same way, your feet are the cousine for your entire body and hold a lot of weight (pun intended). Your feet are the first to step out in any direction, and therefore, movement is a strong characteristic of strong feet.In 1017 AD, Chinese doctor Wang Wei documented the importance of the feet in treating imbalances and disease. He often noted that the feet were the most sensitive part of the body and contained great energizing areas. Although a form of foot therapy was used in Central Europe during the fourteenth through sixteenth centuries, the knowledge of Chinese ene rgy medicine and acupuncture were not recognized by the West until 1883, when Dutch doctor Ten Tyne discovered a scientific basis for reflexology.According to studies in reflexology and acupuncture, Chi needs to flow throughout every part of the body. Therefore, your feet and toes must be kept healthy, so they can move with strength and flexibility. This allows the bodys structural foundation to be strong and stable.For better or worse, lifestyles have changed since the early 1900s. Many of our six-hundred-plus muscles are now underused or unemployed. We must get all of our muscles back to work however, good health is more than possessing an active, strong, flexible, and balanced body. It also involves actively gathering information to help us make healthy choices on a holistic level.Instead of thinking of the feet as just extremities, we would all do well to begin viewing them as both an integral and foundational part of our overall health. Similarly, when problems arise in an orga nization, we often need to go back to the basics and see where issues may be growing from the roots and affecting the entire structure.2. CirculationJust as communication is key to keeping an organization healthful and full of life, feet provide a key part of circulation (or communication) for the body. When feet and toes are healthy, they move with strength and flexibility, allowing the bodys structural formation to be strong and stable.Toes actually act as our second heart. If we wear shoes that bind our feet and minimize toe movement, our second heart will not be able to function well. Anybody remember the 80s trend of sporting tennis shoes with pantyhose and power suits? There might have actually been a deeper reason for that.A pointed-toe shoe may be in fashion and fine to wear in moderation. At the end of the day, whats more important fashion or good health? Therefore, considering what types of shoes we wear on a daily basis is a practical decision that can affect our overall health, in and out of the workplace.Feet are also a very important source of blood circulation. With the force of gravity, the process of getting blood circulated to the feet is easy, but how is the body able to circulate blood against gravity from your feet back up to your heart? The answer is the movement of your toes You can feel muscles of your feet, calves, thighs, and pelvis when your toes move, lifting up and down and spreading wide. You might not be a twinkle toes pro, but keeping your toes moving regularly is essential for heart health.3. Proper placement and postureEvery employee provides a skill set to an organization and eventually finds the best fit within its overall function. In much the same way, proper posture, beginning with the placement of feet, is vital to overall health.The position of your feet resting under your body whether standing or sitting is actually very important for alignment. When standing still, your feet should be facing forward, firmly planted, with your body weight evenly distributed. Think of your body as standing or sitting tall versus slumping or sinking down in a chair. When walking, the feet are at their best when instead of a typical heel-to-toe motion, one places the tanzfest of the foot down first, then rolls back to the heel. Also, remember to keep feet pointing forward, as opposed to turning outward or inward.Interestingly, our posture can affect not only how we feel but even how we think. If our alignment is off, we arent getting the messages coming through our bodies and blood, moving through our brains for optimum creativity and problem-solving. From the feet up to the head, proper posture is imperative. The tech neck is something almost everyone suffers from today. Keeping the head up when reading and scrolling through social media feeds can alleviate pressure on muscles. When focusing on your computer screen at work, the computer screen should be level with your line of vision to reduce neck stress. In addi tion to promoting an aura of confidence, good posture also contributes to a positive mental attitude. And who doesnt need a little help with that on a long workday?So what can you do to improve your foot health and in turn, better your workplace health?Get up and move dont sit for extended periods of time. Walk away from your desk once an hour.Uncross your legs for better circulation. Ladies, think duchess slant. Besides having an aesthetically pleasing effect by making limbs look elongated, its also heart smart for circulation.Wiggle your toes and stretch your legs throughout the day to increase circulation.Consider swapping out high heels for sensible shoes for at least part of the day.Utilize a standing desk or elevate your computer screen to a proper level for your eyes and neck.The above steps are small changes that produce larger results. Proper alignment, from head to toe, is like an schmelzglas address - if one letter is off, the entire message is compromised.Being aware o f your body and its movements on a daily basis, and making a few adjustments now, can help to minimize health issues down the road and optimize workplace well-beingAlice Ann Dailey, M.S., began her career as an elementary school classroom music and piano teacher. Her teaching career transitioned into physical fitness, and she became the first Pilates teacher in Dallas, Texas. She owned a successful exercise studio for two decades, Oasis Mind-Body Conditioning Center, and later taught PE Pilates at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Her mission in writing Dailey Strengthening 6 Keys to Balance Core Muscles for Optimal Health is to provide the information she has learned from her students and her own self-healing experiences so that others may create a plan to maintain their body, mind, and spirit in good health.