Dealing with Bosses and Coworkers/Expert Profile


Ask A Question

Expertise

I can answer questions on resolving professional and personal conflicts or communication issues in the workplace, with clients, in the home, or any encounter that needs or requires people conform to authority or common goal. My responses will be centered on tactics for getting more from the people around you, and toward gaining their voluntary compliance, cooperation, or collaboration. Please note that the answers will not be in the form of a “Dear Abbey” response and my personal opinions will rarely be offered, but rather a soft or hard argument toward resolving the issue or demonstrating that words alone will not solve your dilemma or predicament.

Experience in the area

I am the Vice President of the Verbal Judo Institute, Inc., and for the last twenty years I have traveled between 240 -300 days annually conducting training seminars on Verbal Judo in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and in England. I specialize in resolving conflicts that rise from workplace differences, emotional issues that impact cooperation and compliance, and communication issues within relationships.

Publications

I have been interviewed regarding Verbal Judo as the subject in magazine articles ranging in interest from Conde Nast Traveler, Broker Magazine, and sports publications like Referee Magazine; to newsprint articles in the USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, and several small town newspapers. I have been broadcast internationally on CNN, nationally on NBC, ABC, and Fox, in Canada on CBC, and on local television; and interviewed on radio across North America and in Europe. In addition to the video clips I am currently producing, the President of the Institute, Dr. George J. Thompson has four published books on the market (with more in current development), and several audio and video programs.

Education/Credentials

My educational background includes degrees in English, Business, and Organizational Communication with additional work in Psychology and Behavioral Science.

Past/Present Clients

My client list ranges from corporate and customer service industries, and city and county government facilities; to airlines, banking, and real estate operations, universities, and referees in professional sports. My audiences number several hundred thousand people attending Verbal Judo lectures world-wide and as a company our associates have collectively trained over one million people. A web site with references and a partial client list is available upon request.

Average Ratings

Recent Reviews from Users

Read More Comments

    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    P = Politeness
UserDateKCPComments
Leanne05/21/12101010 
Kevin02/27/12101010 
Kevin02/09/12101010 
Kevin11/22/11101010 
Brianna10/23/11101010Great advice, thank you so much.

Recent Answers from Lee Fjelstad

2012-05-17 Is this a legitimate complaint to bring to HR?:

Leanne;    People trying to “fix things” without either skills or sincerity often makes the situation worse.  Group dynamics are complicated and occasionally the attempt to help will even appear as if

2011-11-25 Dealing with Co-workers due to change of status.:

Sabrina;    First, let me note sincere my apology for my lateness of this response to your question.  Complications with email and internet provider during my travels prevented my timely action on your

2011-11-21 Shoul I ask my boss about the rumour?:

Kevin;    Times are changing, but people rarely change.  Patterns form, behavior sets into a way of doing things.  With tough economic times if you do see change it is usually for the worst.  The self

2011-09-29 Find it compicated:

Hello again Prashant;    I wanted to again respond to you but some of this is inter-related to a question of a few days ago.  This response will specifically be for how to deal with bosses (assuming developers)

2011-09-21 Can't get a clear picture:

Hello Prashant;    The “double-faced” behavior is timeless.  And, you are not “stupid” for missing the transition.  Office politics and work personalities usually come with agendas and hidden agendas.

 

Ask A Question

Dealing with Bosses and Coworkers

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.