Many individuals struggle to find fulfillment in their work, often questioning whether jobs can provide meaning beyond financial stability.

From the sidelines of a weekend soccer game, you can often hear the “joysticking” parent or coach—calling out a continuous stream of instructions to the players on the field. “Pass it! Stay wide! Shoot! Get back!” The player glances over nervously. Instead of reacting to the game, they freeze, unsure of their next move because every decision is being dictated. Their goal shifts from playing the game to avoiding mistakes. In the process, they become passive, waiting for instru

You’ve been preparing for an important presentation. You’ve written out your remarks and rehearsed them over and over. By the time the big day arrives, you feel confident—after all, you’ve said the same thing a dozen times already. Then, something unexpected happens. Maybe the technology falters, or the audience asks a question that throws off your timing. Suddenly, the steady flow of your presentation gets disrupted, and you find yourself scrambling to get back on track. You

This is the second in a series of articles about ceremonial speaking. You can read the first article here . I’m often approached by individuals who’ve been asked to speak at a special occasion. They want to deliver a memorable message; however, they usually tell me that they are not sure what direction to take. Through these conversations I’ve learned that good examples of ceremonial occasion remarks are difficult to find: movies are full of cliches and most of us haven’t be

Intrapersonal communication is more than just a stream of consciousness; it is the foundation of our self-awareness and emotional regulation

Between my professional experience as a hiring manager and academic experience teaching business writing at the university-level, I’ve...

Two seeds were buried side by side in a field. The seeds—Amara and Brio—lay dormant, dreaming of the sky. One day, a gentle rain whispered promises of growth. Amara felt the call of the world above and thought, “It may be time to sprout. But what if the sun is too harsh, or the rain too scarce? What if I emerge too soon?” Fearful, Amara decided to wait. Beside Amara, Brio also heard the rain’s song. Excited, Brio thought, “What wonders await above! Yes, there might be storms

Not too long ago I was at a Cornell event listening to a speaker open his presentation. In an attempt to build his credibility, he shared his title and the name of his employer. Then, before getting to the main point of his talk, he shared a long list of personal accomplishments. Somewhere between his fourth and seventh achievement, my impression of him changed from being somewhat impressed to being somewhat underwhelmed. What happened? The presenter, hoping to impress, had

An agreement is communication that establishes expectations between two or more parties. Most agreements share foundational principles...

From an early age, many of us are taught to view career success through the lens of pay and promotion. This perspective, which is deeply ingrained in our cultural fabric, positions financial gain and hierarchical advancement as the primary objectives of professional life. Society, media, and even educational narratives have long championed this view, painting a picture of success that emphasizes ascending the corporate ladder and achieving monetary wealth as the hallmarks of