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 […]
No Tomatoes!
We take communication for granted. Why not? After all, we have been communicating since birth (actually before birth – just ask any mother who has been kicked from the inside out)! Our gut tells us that communication is not rocket science; in its simplest form, one person transmits a message to another person . . […]
The Greek Salesman and a Yankee Union Boss
Perhaps we most often miscommunicate when we get the proverbial “cart before the horse,” but need to get “heart before the discourse”! Communication is first and foremost about relationship. Why then do we typically launch straight away into the factual content of our message, and marvel at the recipient’s rebuff? This is not a new […]
