A recent question from a person in one of our courses: “Is it okay to apologize or admit error to someone who works for me? My supervisor told me it’s a sign of weakness.” From one of the other course members: “Just say you’re sorry he...
As any self-respecting 5 year old can tell you, questioning is a valuable communication tool. But for many people, the use of this device seems to fall off as we get older. One complication is the perception of the question as an attack. “Have you had lunch?” “Why...
“Listening Will Change Your Life.” I say to people in my classes and I’m not surprised by either their smirks when they hear me say it, or by their astonishment when they later experience it. I know this is a big promise, and let me be...
Extreme events lately have called forth extreme language to describe them: devastating, horrific, outrageous, unbelievable, and incredible. But while the events are not only extreme but also unusual, the words aren’t. These words lose weight when we’ve been hearing them to describe things that are...
Meet Martha. She is a third year associate at a busy law firm. She is personable, enthusiastic, and a hard worker. She likes her job, is attentive to clients, values her colleagues, and wants to do well in her career. But here is what she...
Fall pulses with the heightened energy of important and urgent projects and initiatives. We stride into the fall with vigor: we have a crisp focus at work; we scan catalogs of self-improvement workshops; we resolve to reignite simmering social connections. We have a lot to...