The lost art of listening None of us are good listeners all the time. It’s human nature to get distracted by what’s going on around you and within you. Great listening takes time and effort. Like reading, you pay attention to some things while skimming others. But if you don’t Read more…
In interpersonal communications, even the best-laid plans can go side ways and that’s perfectly normal. You might take account of all the possible scenarios, prepare for all upcoming situations, know exactly who you are and what version of you needs to come out for that meeting. You’ve read the other Read more…
The term ‘Brag’ is a negative word. ‘Brag Better’ is here to change that. Bragging Better requires cultivating pride in your work and then taking small actions that help you share it with those around you. “Bragging Better is about giving yourself credit and getting your megaphone out.” Brag Read more…
The ability to know exactly what to say and the insertion of a few magic words, could be just the tonic that moves you from counting conversations into making conversations count. #1 I’m not sure if it’s for you, but… Imagine receiving a comment from your employer that started Read more…
The Flooding Smile Don’t smile immediately. Look at a person face for a second. Pause. Soak in their persona. Let a big, warm, responsive smile flood over my face. Spilt-second delay convinces people my flooding smile is genuine and exclusive for them. Sticky Eyes Pretend my eyes are glued Read more…
The first step to feeling better is to notice your cognitive distortions, or the dirty tricks your brain plays on you. Psychologist Martin Seligman identified the “three Ps” we tend to focus on after a negative event: Personalization: thinking that the event is all your fault Pervasiveness: thinking that the Read more…
1. Frame your suggestion as a question. Have you thought about…? Have you considered…? What if you/we….? Would you/we be able to….? 2. Use ‘May’. You might want to consider… May be you/we could… It might be a good idea to… 3. Use ‘Past’ tense. I was thinking Read more…
Western Society Favors Extroverts. From the prestigious Harvard Business School to a lesser known religious organization, extroverts are more likely to be welcomed and fit in. HBS structures its curriculum and extra-curricular activities in a way that promotes openness and collaboration. Businesses eliminate physical and communication barriers to encourage employees Read more…
All change efforts have something in common. For any change to happen, someone must decide something and start acting differently. Knowledge rarely changes behavior. That’s why we have obese doctors, and divorced marriage counselors. 3 Things to successfully implement any change Direct the rider – What often looks like resistance Read more…
To craft a sticky and compelling message useful for speaking, marketing, writing or anytime you need to make people listen, believe and act, remember the SUCCES principle. S – Simple If you try to convey 100 ideas, you might end up conveying nothing. Simple sticks. Complicated doesn’t. Strip your idea Read more…