All of us must receive feedback to grow. There’s no other way. Sometimes the feedback is organic: a consequence for our actions, a bad outcome from a hasty decision or a positive outcome from our hard work, unintentionally hurting someone’s feelings because of a poor communication. Through these experiences, we learn. But other times, feedback comes to us directly from …
People Acting Badly
Is it just me? Or have any of you had the out-of-body experience of severely overreacting to something said to you at just the wrong time, in just the wrong way, in just the wrong circumstance, with just the wrong words and intonation, and (BAM!) suddenly you feel your face peeling off, your fangs popping out, and Cujo exploding from …
Speaking Out
When we were kids, we could position ourselves in the back of the class and avoid raising our hands to dodge being called on to speak at the front of the class. It’s one of the most dreaded forms of communication even from an early age. But in the professional world, public speaking is a vital skill to have and …
I Have a Dream
Today is the day we celebrate one of the greatest men in American history who also happened to be one of the greatest orators and speakers of our time. I’ve listened to many of King’s speeches in their entirety, and I believe there is much we can learn if we pay attention to the things that made King memorable and …
It’s Like a Kiss… You Can’t Do It Alone
John Cheever, the prolific American writer, said, “I can’t write without a reader. It’s precisely like a kiss—you can’t do it alone.” Whether you’re a writer, leader, manager, professional, or lover, when you are communicating with another person, it is vitally important to consider their point of view and what they might need from the conversation. For example, …
Panic or Prepare?
This is a guest post from our friend, Adrienne Twigg. Have you ever awakened in the middle of the night dreading a meeting, a decision that must be made, or a conversation that you anticipate will be difficult, challenging, or contentious? Absolutely, I would raise my hand and say, “guilty as charged.” Also, how many of us put that “event” …
When Emotions Highjack Our Logic
Disclaimer: My husband is a saint. While I did ask Tom’s permission to recount the following story to all of you… if you ever meet him, please thank him for his willingness to submit himself frequently to my weekly messages and for contributing greatly to our continued mutual and communal learning. Some weeks, it just has to be hard to …
Non-Negotiables
Many of you probably already know that I’m a country girl at heart. Hence, I live in a beautiful home just off the main highway on a dirt road which makes owning a black vehicle of any kind completely out of the question. When we shopped recently for my first new car in 11 years, I had one “non-negotiable.” …
The Destination of a Conversation
One of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday is to jump in the car with Tom and head out to explore an area without any particular destination in mind. I love stumbling upon quaint little towns with their specialty shops, unique restaurants, hidden history, and interesting conversations with proprietors or patrons. I instantly relax into the freedom of wandering …
Stop the Boredom – Part 2
In our last few MMS’s, we’ve discussed how to use an integrated meeting structure to support the realization of your company vision. The structure we’ve suggested looks like this: Annual Calibration Retreat Quarterly Strategic Meetings Monthly Growth Meetings (for entire team) Weekly Leadership Check-Ins Daily Focus Meetings Individual Employee Growth Conferences Courageous Conversations (as needed) In this MMS, I’m going …