Diversity is a wonderful thing. The benefits abound: a McKinsey study found that diverse boards of directors generate better returns and more money; a Tuft’s study concluded that diverse groups uncover more angles when serving on mock juries (which underscores the value all the more so); a combined study by Columbia, MIT, University of Texas-Dallas and Northwestern found that stock picks by diverse teams experienced 58%…
As the late, great Leonard Cohen wrote (and his fellow Canadian chanteuse Judy Collins sings so hauntingly) “who knows where the time goes?” As we gallop to the end of 2022, it’s time for reflection, compassion, and leadership to begin to heal the great divides in our country and worldwide. There is no better place…
Strolling – socially distanced and with my mask on – down a beach boardwalk this weekend, I saw a sign that read “first rule of 2021; don’t discuss 2020.” Although amusing, and many of us would wish that 2020 could go away. It won’t. We lived through it, and its after affects may live with…
Is it almost over with? Is 2020 yet “in the books?” Such a crazy year: first the pandemic, and then the very contentious presidential campaign. Both were all-consuming, and impacted the ways in which we communicated with one another. Time to rethink some of what we did, and didn’t do, and to offer up some…
It’s rather ironic that I am posting this blog on what would have been my dear old dad’s birthday: He and I often didn’t see eye-to-eye, and were in conflict on many issues – from the rather mundane, as in what time I needed to be home at night – to the more profound –…
In a recent blog, I addressed the importance of spreading a little kindness through words and deeds in these turbulent times. Today, it’s time to discuss the corresponding response, or the importance of accepting kindness with a show of gratitude through words and deeds. Think about the number of times an appreciative friend, colleague…
During my morning walk with the dog, we often cruise through a local, bucolic park, which has become a haven for the homeless. As we passed an individual who was hunched over on a park bench and diving into some leftovers he found in the trash, I said “good morning sir.” He straightened his body,…
Under any circumstances, receiving positive feedback is both wonderful and motivational. During these uncertain times, all the more so! And, as pleasing as it is to receive positive feedback, it is equally exhilarating to give it. This is the sixth in a series of blogs offering communication tips for these turbulent times. The first focused…
Communicate, communicate, communicate and over-communicate: Do whatever it takes to break through in these “very interesting times.” Whether it’s the global pandemic, the daily bombardment of “news,” fake or real, or just the discomfort of adjusting to a new normal, it’s vital that we understand first, and are understood second. So much in society today…
Communication Counts – moment-by-moment, hour-by-hour, day-by-day. This is truer now in these turbulent times – an international pandemic, the Black Lives Matter movement and “incoming” on social media. Uncertainty abounds, sensitivities are heightened, virtual meetings are ubiquitous, and the opportunities for miscommunication are multiplied. This presents an opportunity to assess how we communicate, what we…