With so many issues vying for your attention, having a way to think about how you spend your time and energy is essential. I’m sharing the following story about how I have come to understand the issue of homelessness with the hope that it will give you a new lens with which to see problems in your own life. While participating in a leadership development program over a decade ago, I had the opportunity to tour a homeless shelter and help make breakfast for 40 men. During the

On the first day of my persuasive communication course students are eager to learn how to convince others to see things their way. They want to know how to negotiate employment benefits, get assigned to the best projects, and sell their ideas. But before we learn to persuade others, we discuss how to be critical receivers of persuasive messages. Not only do I want them to think critically about the persuasive arguments their classmates will present during the semester, but I

I once had an acquaintance who was really smart and fun to hang out with, but he had a really bad habit. He told elaborate lies. Research suggests most people lie, on average, one or two times a day. However, this individual’s habit of lying verged on compulsive. Much of what he said was more than exaggerations or misleading; he routinely communicated messages that were deliberately deceiving. He lied with ease and only in hindsight did I recognize his signs of deception. Som

From the pegboard above the stove in my grandmother's kitchen hung utensils, a few small pots, and a metal sign that read: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When I was old enough to read those words, I thought if my teachers in school encouraged the Golden Rule and my deeply religious grandmother found it important enough to display in her home, it must be important. The maxim was reinforced in college when I learned that the idea is expressed in many religio

We experience various levels of tension every day, stemming from personal challenges, work pressures, relationship dynamics, and global events. These tensions are common thread in the human experience, ultimately shaping shaping our responses to the world around us. However, we don't like tension and prefer to resolve it as fast as possible. Pema Chödrön, an American Tibetan Buddhist, writes, “When we feel powerful energy [tension], we tend to be extremely uncomfortable until

“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...