Have you ever bought a fake consumer product — Gucci, Coach, Rolex, Dooney and Bourke? Let me guess. You just couldn’t pass up “the bargain.” No one can tell the difference in yours and the legitimate high-dollar brand. Besides, those corporate giants still net millions every year, despite the knockoffs out there. You’re not alone. I know many good people who rationalize […]
Third Way to Get Galvanized — Lead Yourself to Action!
We need galvanized leaders, not lemmings! Most of us well know the myth of lemmings purposely plunging off of cliffs. Sadly, the myth is often perpetuated by so-called “leaders” who are more akin to lemmings. The moral – We must carefully choose leaders. The best choice might be in the mirror. Yes, I’m suggesting that […]
Second Way to Get Galvanized — Smile Insatiably!
Smiles are action-packed! For instance, do you know someone who has a “million-dollar smile”? I am talking about the kind of smile that lights up an entire room! – A smile that automatically makes you smile, too! Former Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith has one. In fact, I have never seen Emmitt when he wasn’t sporting […]
First Way to Get Galvanized — Become a Lifelong Learner!
One vital catalyst to action is learning new information. Lifelong learners are galvanized more often than those who think they’ve “seen it all.” Children have unparalleled curiosity; discovery is at the core of their being. During our youth, we often experience that “rush” inside when the metaphoric light bulb comes on. We feel more alive […]
Motivation is not Enough — Get Galvanized!
We universally agree that motivation is good. Yet far too few of us act on that motivation. Thousands have eagerly attended one popular seminar billed as “Get Motivated.” I have witnessed firsthand the passion that this event evokes. With speakers such as Rudolph Guiliani, Colin Powell, Terry Bradshaw and others, who could help but get excited? […]
Do You Actually Own Your Copyright? — Maybe, Maybe NOT!
Business owners often just assume that they own all intellectual property rights (e.g., copyright, trademark, etc.) in and to materials created by their employees and independent contractors. This assumption may be only partially correct. The law indeed presumes that employers own all materials created by their employees within the scope of their employment. The burden […]
Beware of the Crayon Cartel that Quashes Creativity!
I hear so many people say, “I’m just not creative.” Nonsense! Everyone is creative. So why do so many deny having an artist side? Answer – Perhaps there’s a conspiracy at play. Gordon MacKenzie, a retired career executive of Hallmark Cards, asked elementary students around the country, “How many artists are in the room? Please […]
To Be or Not to Be? — Depends on the Context!
Context is crucial, not only in communication but life itself. Ani DiFranco has said, “Taken out of context I must seem so strange.” Without opining in any way about Ms. DiFranco personally, she makes a valid point. This came to mind the other night as I searched every nook and cranny of our bedroom for […]
Communication Cadavers
The words were carefully chosen. You spoke them warmly. Yet your colleague misinterpreted the message. Why? Check the pulse of your communication . . . It may be a cadaver. In a prior post, we discussed Dr. Albert Mehrabian‘s findings that in face-to-face conversation the emotional or attitudinal message perceived is 7% words, 38% tone […]
Technological Communication Should Never Replace Face Time!
Technology has given us the “luxury” (or curse) of 24-7 accessibility. Unfortunately, this has not improved our communication; technology has worsened it. We too often”hide” behind technology by habitually texting and e-mailing. While those modes of communication are not bad per se, our misuse thereof gets problematic. I have fallen off my technologic bicycle more […]
