Walking downhill from the Grand Hyatt Seoul, my colleague Mary Ann and I can hear a local merchant shouting, “Genuine imitation!” This oxymoron has us chuckling. Namdaemun, Korea’s largest traditional market is bustling. Local products, sundries and food. And, yes, genuine imitations of designer brand purses, watches, shoes, etc. Aside from obvious issues associated […]
No One is Shooting at You!
Stage fright is natural. Actually good, so long as you harness those nerves to your advantage. Nerves give you an edge of energy and focus. Adrenaline’s gushing (along with lots of other chemicals) and you’re acutely present. A presence your audience will embrace. Carol Burnett discusses the important role nerves can play in her book, […]
Can the Conniption! Extend Grace, Mercy and Redemption
Why has advocacy morphed into rabid confrontation? To quote one long-time judge in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area – “Being adversarial does not require that you bark like a backyard dog at every little thing.” Acting out is unpersuasive. “Stop stomping your feet and acting like children,” said another judge. She is turned off by […]
You’re Not All That! Just Chat.
One unintended, albeit human byproduct of conquering professional curriculum and licensure is we sometimes swell up. We’ve achieved. We’ve arrived. We personify the pomp and circumstance. Both comedy and tragedy. Our message succumbs. Professor Tom Baker warned me and my classmates that first week of law school in August 1988 – “When you leave this […]
Technical Competence vs. Persuasive Competence
You and I worked hard to become experts in our field. To obtain our professional credentials. Law school’s tough. Medical school’s tough. MBA curriculum is tough. Engineering, architecture, dentistry and psychology . . . tough . . . the list goes on. Not everyone’s up to the task. As professionals, you and I are already […]
Relationship Buttons
People instinctively push buttons. I am not sure why. Perhaps we marvel at the results. But relationships can suffer. Our fascination with buttons starts innocently enough. Toddler toys sport buttons of all sorts. Animal heads pop up, sounds abound and giggles burst forth. We move on to doorbell buttons, pushing them repeatedly until Mommy yells. I was born […]
Another Asinine Assumption
Miscommunication is epidemic in our society. In past posts we have explored technology as a culprit. But we can never exonerate ourselves, as we choose to communicate unwisely via virtual means. We also sometimes communicate based upon assumptions. The trite saying regarding what happens when we ass-u-me is unfortunately spot on. But must that truth […]
Communication from Afar — Is Anybody Out There?
I loved cartoons when I was a child. Still do. Have you ever noticed how simple communication appears in an animated world? I suppose that’s part of the make-believe magic. The Jetsons were as much a Saturday morning staple in my house as Malt-O-Meal. I loved watching George walk Astro on the moving sidewalk or […]
Please Spit Out Your “Um”! — Pauses Pack a Punch!
The proverb “silence is golden” makes me ponder, what is gold worth today? Well, at the time of writing this post, gold was priced at $1,659.54 per ounce (see above image). Ergo, a moment of silence – but a pause – can have great value. Much happens within a few-seconds’ pause – The rich audible […]
The NERVE of Some Words! (Communication Derailed – Part 2)
Tony Jeary has said, “Life is a series of presentations.” Indeed, we spend most waking hours attempting to influence or persuade our friends, children, spouses, bosses, coworkers, clients, opponents, even strangers. In our quest, we quickly learn that not any old communication will suffice. Persuasion hinges on credibility. Butchering the English language will gut our […]
