Don't Say That at Work
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Don't Say That at Work

Essential Communications Skills for Software Professionals

About the Book

Are you an ambitious professional, striving to scale new heights in your career? The secret to success often lies in your communication skills. One misstep can create ripples, affecting your professional trajectory and interpersonal relationships alike.

Don't Say That at Work! is an intriguing collection of real-life communication errors, witnessed and committed by the author, a seasoned software developer with three decades of experience. This book is not merely a recounting of these incidents, but a treasure trove of hard-earned wisdom, offering a unique perspective on the subtle power of effective communication.

This book is your guide to:

  • Navigate the minefield of workplace communication, with anecdotes and advice to help you avoid common pitfalls.
  • Master the art of diplomacy, learning to express your thoughts candidly without sparking conflict.
  • Harness the power of digital communication, utilizing social media and other tools strategically to foster better professional relationships.
  • Interact with superiors in a clear, concise, and respectful manner that ensures your voice is heard.
  • Politely turn down requests or opportunities without seeming rude or unappreciative.
  • Improve your active listening skills, ask the right questions, and foster a richer dialogue.
  • Overcome barriers to effective communication, developing emotional intelligence to connect with colleagues on a deeper level.

Each chapter of Don't Say That at Work! is a standalone lesson, enabling you to focus on areas where you need the most improvement. The narratives are easy to relate to, and the lessons are easy to apply, making this book a valuable resource regardless of your career stage.

Don't let your communication skills be the chink in your professional armor. Order Don't Say That at Work! today, and learn to choose your words wisely, leaving a lasting positive impression in every interaction.

Get ready to transform your communication skills, enhance your professional relationships, and unlock your full potential. Embrace the power of exceptional communication with Don't Say That at Work!

About the Author

Michael D. Callaghan
Michael D. Callaghan

I began learning to program computers way back in 1981 in High School. The Data Processing teacher took pity on a young 9th grader and let me borrow time on the county's HP 2000 to teach myself BASIC. That experience grew into a passion for software development that has never waned. 

Though my early career took a 10-year detour, I finally began writing software professionally in 1995. I've been doing that ever since.

Table of Contents

  • Bonus Chapter
  • Foreword
  • Introduction
  • Don’t Succumb to Prejudice
    • Presidential Demonstration
    • President Bill Clinton
    • President George W. Bush
    • President Barack Obama
    • President Donald Trump
    • Introspection Time
    • President Bill Clinton
    • President George W. Bush
    • President Barack Obama
    • President Donald Trump
    • What Happened?
  • Don’t Assume Unwisely
    • Assume Noble Intent
    • Assume Ignorance over Incompetence
    • Assume Incompetence over Malice
    • Conclusion
  • Don’t Get Angry
  • Don’t Whine
    • Not an Architect
    • When Problems Arise
    • Propose Solutions
    • Solicit Help
  • Don’t Use So Many TLAs
    • Software Development Acronyms
    • Acronyms are Not Easier
    • At Best It is Amusing
    • But It Could Be Confusing
    • Some Are Condescending and Offensive
    • At Worst, Acronyms Can Be Exclusionary
    • And besides, it is rude.
    • Acronym Glossary
    • Exceptions
  • Don’t Talk So Fast
    • Background
    • An Idea Took Shape
    • Demonstration
    • Result
    • How You Can Apply This
    • Try It Yourself
  • Don’t Be Dishonest
    • I Am a Developer!
    • My Resignation
  • Don’t Be Too Honest
    • The Discovery
    • The Threat
    • 18 U.S. Code § 1621
    • The Attorney
    • The Call
    • The Resolution and Apology
    • The Lecture
    • What Could have Been?
    • The Moral of This Story
  • Don’t Criticize Publicly
    • Back-handed Compliments
  • Don’t Talk Politics
    • Obamacare Retaliation
    • Political Violence
    • You Can, But Should You?
    • An Exception to This Advice
  • Don’t Blab on Social Media
    • Potential Legal Repercussions
    • Protected Free Speech?
  • Don’t Give Unnecessary Details
  • Don’t Have an Attitude
    • Just
    • Easy
    • Actually
    • Should
    • It Seems to Me
    • Always and Never
  • Don’t Tell Me “No”
    • Disney Service Standards
    • Try to Agree
    • Five Whys
    • Possible Compromise
    • Does This Always Work?
  • Don’t Interrupt
    • Mobile Vending App
    • Listening to Understand, not to Respond
    • Understand the Context
  • Don’t Stare at the Floor
  • Don’t Throw Temper Tantrums
    • The Project - Compaq ActiveAnswers
    • Outgrowing Visual Basic
    • Initial Proof of Concept
    • Fateful Decision
    • The Phone Call
    • My Probation
    • Conclusion
  • Don’t Demean Others
    • Air Traffic Shutdown
    • Tired and Hungry
    • The Offer
    • Conclusion
  • Don’t Air Your Grievances
    • The Workplace is not Festivus
    • What I Should Have Done
  • Don’t Be Rude
    • Slouching
    • Headphones
    • Staying Seated
    • Chewing Gum
    • The Giant Beverage
  • Conclusion
  • What Next?
  • About the Author
  • Acknowledgements
  • Also by Michael D. Callaghan
    • Books
    • Pluralsight Video Courses
    • Other Video Courses

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