Management Tip of the Day: Don't Hurt Your Own Cause

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile DECEMBER 26, 2012 Don't Hurt Your Own Cause It's easy to get overexcited when you have a good idea. But in your enthusiasm, you may balk if other people don't immediately support your thinking. Don't let your impatience hurt your cause. Try to avoid these two things when pitching your idea to a skeptical group: Making it biased. Don't try to scare people into listening by painting the worst-case scenario. Be fair and balanced when presenting the various options. Offering your uninvited opinion. People will tune you out if you launch into a tirade about why you're right. Wait until you're asked to weigh in and try to positively engage your audience, not alienate them. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Are You Hurting Your Own Cause?" by Dorie Clark. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Communicating for Results A Harvard ManageMentor Skill Pack Effective communication is a key driver for achieving desired results on a personal or business level. This interactive, online Harvard ManageMentor Skill Pack includes four critical topic modules designed to help you apply the knowledge and skills you need to improve your communication. The four topics are: Presentation Skills, Negotiating, Persuading Others, and Writing Skills. Each online module includes a comprehensive overview in Core Concepts, a set of "how to" action steps, tips, a self-test, and interactive exercises that help you prepare for real-world challenges. Also of Interest: • Mastering Finance Fundamentals • Improving Productivity • Mastering Business Fundamentals • Managing More Effectively ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Spark Innovation with These 3 Words Get Ahead Without the Corporate Ladder Start Persuading Your Audience Before the Presentation Don't Grow Your Business Too Fast Create Rituals to Get More Done Take More Vacation Two Rules for Keeping Employees Happy and Engaged Focus Your Sales Pitch by Subtraction Focus on a Career Direction, Not a Specific Job Don't Sacrifice Long-Term Growth Just to Hit Your Forecast All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)