Want fresh content delivered straight to your inbox?

Sign up here.

Search the Blog

RECENT POSTS

thank you

Two More Difficult Words in the English Language: Thank You!

I recently posted a blog entitled “The Two Most Difficult Words in the English Language: I’m Sorry.” In these times in which we live – a sad loss of civility in the public square – two more difficult words in the English language are “thank-you.” As with “I’m sorry,” “thank you,” when sincerely given is both powerful and motivating. 

Read more
two women shaking hands after skill-based hiring

Three Tips for Skill-Based Hiring

In a September 2016 Forbes magazine article, an internationally known recruiter (Jorgen Sundberg) was quoted as saying that the cost of onboarding an employee is $240,000.00, while the Department of Labor indicated that the cost of a bad hire was 30% of her or his annual wages. The article went on to state “While the…

Read more
Ripple on a silence pond

The Power of Silence

A good facilitator makes it look easy-breezy, which is part of the magic. If the facilitator has accomplished this feat, then she is good! When one goes and graduates from “facilitator training school,” as I have, the first lesson is that “it takes twice as long to prepare, as it does to deliver.” Fortunately, over time and with practice, the preparation time is cut down considerably.

Read more

MORE POSTS

less is more communication

Less is More: Communication Tips for Maximum Impact

In this era of communication at our fingertips, social media with limited characters, and short, 80,000-word books, it’s imperative to make a point quickly, succinctly and with maximum impact. Our “lizard” brains are impatient: if we don’t capture another’s attention within a short period of time, we’ve lost our ability to make the case. This…

Read more
positive feedback

Essential Tips for Consequential Communication

The business rationale for developing strong communications competency was made by David Grossman, who surveyed 400 companies with 100,000 employees each. These companies “each cited an average loss per company of $62.4 million per year because of inadequate communication to and between employees.”

Communicating intentionally, accurately and clearly, while avoiding miscommunications is vital. This blog focuses on three essential tips that can help you get the best and most out of others.

Read more
the platinum rule of communication

Three More Tips for Consequential Communication

In her landmark 2013 article, Kelly Dickerson captured “8 Tragic Miscalculations and Miscommunications,” a few of the more consequential examples include: The 1977 plane crash in the Canary Islands that killed 583 people because of a miscommunication between the pilots and the air traffic controller; and, A miscommunication about what type of cold medicine to…

Read more
virtual communication

Three Tips For Consequential Communication

In an age of great volatility — fake news, diverse audiences, technology at our fingertips, and change at the speed of light, clear, concise and intentional communication is vital to successful human interaction. Add to that, the stresses and strains of a pandemic, the financial insecurity it wrought, a contentious political season…

Read more
Gaining engagement through persuasion

Persuasion Starts with Listening

As a child, I remember hearing the words “because I said so,” in response to questions asked of my parents. Of course, the questions were often why I had to do something I didn’t want to do. Rather than explain, the fallback was “because I said so.” I found that irksome and made a pledge that my children would never hear that phrase . . . and, they rarely did!

Read more
words matter words have power

Words Matter: Make Communication Reflect Intentions

“Words matter,” have been on the lips and fingertips of many. My own response: “true that,” yet has the phrase been defined, let alone put into action? What does it mean anyway? For me, it means carefully selecting words and phrases that both reflect what is intended and will begin to heal the great divide in our country.

Having spent the better part of this nascent year reflecting on words, intentions and healing the divide, two examples of what not to communicate spring to mind.

Read more

EARLIER BLOGS