How do you push back against someone else's criticism of something you love and appreciate?Do you tell them that they're "crazy"? You're not alone. Back in May, I listened to a podcast conversation between Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant wherein they discuss Adam's new book Think Again. (I'm … [Read more...] about “You’re crazy if you think that” (and other nonsense).
What does it mean to listen?
"Close listening occurs when we're fully engaged in the here and now" -Steven Kottler I help people find ways to communicate their ideas and their strategic perspectives clearly, simply and persuasively. There are many important elements to making your points sound persuasive to another party, but … [Read more...] about What does it mean to listen?
When We Get Hooked
Have you ever been in a conversation and felt like you have suddenly become completely hooked?I don't mean in a good way, rather in a way that you and another person are locked in some kind of emotional conflict that is difficult to pinpoint and harder even to break.Sometimes it is because … [Read more...] about When We Get Hooked
Ever Feel Like You’re Faking It?
In 2015 Harvard Business Review published a survey that explained how modern CEOs struggle with "imposter syndrome" and that they fear "that they don't know what they're doing and the world will find out." Sound at all familiar?If you are someone running a startup or a small business, that fear … [Read more...] about Ever Feel Like You’re Faking It?
Leadership Presence for Women: Communicate Your Value
Have you had one or more of the following experiences when talking in a group setting at work?Told that you are being too aggressive. Told that you need to speak with more authority. Interrupted or disregarded in a meeting. Felt shut out of the conversation.What does it take to project … [Read more...] about Leadership Presence for Women: Communicate Your Value
Collaboration Versus Cooperation
Lately I have been thinking a lot about the difference between collaboration and cooperation as it pertains to teamwork and collective excellence.First of all, what is collaboration anyways?Wikipedia defines collaboration as occurring "when two or more people or organizations work together … [Read more...] about Collaboration Versus Cooperation
Apologizing for Realz
There have been a lot of apologies in the news recently (mostly from men, but not all) and it has gotten me to think a little about what makes a good apology. To be clear, this isn't a post about how to get out of jail by apologizing really, really well. This is about what does it actually … [Read more...] about Apologizing for Realz
Intention vs Impact in Communication
Have you ever had the experience of your impact not matching your intentions?The more aware we are about how we are being received and what we actually want people to hear when we speak, the less likely we will be hijacked by subconscious intentions or misaligned impact.Join me in a short … [Read more...] about Intention vs Impact in Communication
Two Ridiculously Simple Ways To Communicate Clearly
Cultivate the Weirdos
What do Ann Richards, Rodin, Hamdi Ulukaya, Wilbert L. Gore and Maria Grazia Chiuri have in common?Answer: they are all weirdos.(Oh, and John Ritter. He's a weirdo, too.) Or at least they are all different from the society around them.The key is that they were able to take that … [Read more...] about Cultivate the Weirdos
Get A New Story
You might not realize it, but you spend a lot of time broadcasting your story to the people in your life.Every time you share that you are "not good at" something like public speaking, taking risks or being courageous, you reinforce a narrative about yourself and how you want people to receive … [Read more...] about Get A New Story