Make Brainstorming More Efficient
Getting many people to think about a complex problem is often the best way to come up with a solution. But you have to take steps to make the collaboration efficient. When you invite others to contribute to a project, respect their time and show up pre…
When You Make a Mistake, Forgive Yourself
If a friend tells you about an ordeal they’re facing or a mistake they’ve made, how do you typically respond? In all likelihood, you offer kindness and comfort. But how do you treat yourself when you make a big mistake? You’re probably much tougher — s…
Change Your Default Response to Stress
Everyone faces pressure at work. But whether pressure turns into stress depends on how you react to it. The good news is that, with practice, you can change your default response. Even if you’re someone who typically gets flustered in the face of press…
Avoid Filler Language in Presentations
Presenters often use the phrase “Does that make sense?” to gauge audience understanding. But this can convey a speaker’s uncertainty and signals that the audience might not comprehend or appreciate the content. To be an effective spea…
Business Lessons From A Prison Gang
On an episode of “Lockdown” a prison warden spoke with a member of jailhouse gang. The problem being addressed was that there was a steady stream of contraband coming in and the guards couldn’t figure out how to stop it. Speaking cand…
Limit Constant Communication to Get More Done
You might be surprised to hear that some successful executives deliberately limit their phone and email use. It’s not easy to manage a team by phone — though phone conversations are a fine way to broadcast simple information, thoughtful listening while…
How to Encourage Trustworthiness
Success in business requires some willingness to trust people. When your company’s money and resources are on the line, how can you do a better job of gauging trustworthiness and thereby improve your likelihood of success? Try these tips to prompt trus…
Forget Your Expectations
The movie industry is filled with remakes, sequels and adaptations. The most common complaint about them is that they’re not like the original. However, when you separate yourself from the expectations of the original and look at the movie as som…
What You Should Watch Out For In A Coach
Coaches and consultants are everywhere now. Despite the existence of some training programs, there is no real certification so anyone can use those terms. If you are looking for a coach or consultant, watch out for these signs. Are they really a coach …