“What quality should we continue to develop as we transition from college to our careers?” This question was posed to me a couple years ago by my undergraduate teaching assistants as we celebrated the end of a great semester and their upcoming graduation. Before I tell you what I said, what would you say? Think about it before you scroll past the image below. Now, if you had to pick from the following list, which of the following qualities would you say is most important? Cri

I’ve come across Marge Piercy’s poem “To Be of Use” in a few different places over the years and each time I read it, I appreciate it in...

The uncertainty brought on by difficult experiences triggers fear in our brains. From an evolutionary perspective, this has helped our species survive. However, in modern times, the fear can lead to anxiety, panic, and poor decision making. Leading in difficult times requires leaders to have high self-awareness, regulate their emotions, and monitor their reactions. A leader’s behavior in these high-stakes situations can determine the fate of their organization. When others ar

Students and executives arrive in my classes and workshops with a desire to improve their communication skills. Without exception...

When I was in college I read a book titled, “Write It Down, Make It Happen.” The book prompted me to begin writing down my goals, and I...

by Pablo Neruda Now we will count to twelve and we will all keep still. For once on the face of the earth let’s not speak in any...

One of the primary reasons so many people fear public speaking is they are uncertain about how the audience will respond to their...

During my early childhood I learned the value of offering hospitality to others. When we hosted family from out of town, I helped prepare...

When given the opportunity to present our ideas, we all want to perform well, and most of us have heard public speaking advice that...

About ten years ago I recall meeting a student of mine for lunch on campus. He was standing outside the dining hall and looking at his...