emotional intelligence
How to Get (and Keep) a Conversation Going
Conversations don’t fail because we have nothing to say. They often stall because we ask questions that accidentally shut them down. Think about how often we ask questions that
How To Offer Unsolicited Feedback
There have been many times when people have come up to me after a talk to tell me what they got out of it, how much the content resonated, and
What Kind of Listener Are You?
If communication is the foundation of every relationship, then listening is the part most of us overestimate. We think we’re good at it. We nod. We make eye contact.
How to Harness Anxiety
A few weeks ago, I wrote about if Fear Is a Good Motivator. With so much going on in the world and in my little part of it, anxiety is the
Unhappy at work? This may be to blame.
I’m sure you’ve heard some version of the phrase, “You reap what you sow,” or “What goes around comes around,” or even “Karma’s a bitch.” There are so many idioms
Is fear a good motivator?
Last year about this time I wrote a post called, Is Guilt A Good Motivator. The conclusion I made was that sometimes guilt can be a powerful driver of needed action. It turns out,
Am I Being Efficient or Just Impatient?
If you have been reading my musings for a while, you may recall some feedback my kids have given me a few times during our family feedback sessions. (Yes, we really
When Small Talk Falls Flat: How to Create Real Conversations
Small talk is often where conversation begins — but it’s not where connection lives. You’ve likely been there: you run into a colleague, client, or peer. You exchange pleasantries.
Before You Fix It: Ask This Question First
My natural inclination, when someone comes to me with a problem, is to immediately jump into action mode. Thinking to myself, “What can I do? How can I make this