Beginnings matter. Whether you're an executive communicating a leadership message, a team leader building morale, or a solopreneur bringing your self to market, you've got something important to say. But. If you've got a great product/message/idea but can't...
communication
Here are articles on communication
How to Live Your Values (no, you don’t really care)
“Hello, valued customer, your call is very important to us. Now please wait 15 minutes because we don’t want to spend the money to staff our phone lines.” There was an actual human being who decided to record that message. That actual human being may really have...
What do CEOs do? A CEO Job Description
The Chief Executive Officer is one of the most coveted titles, and least understood jobs in a company. Everyone believes that CEOs can do whatever they want, are all powerful, and are magically competent. Nothing could be further from the truth. By its very nature,...
Quit Facebook & Change Your Life (for the better?)
It’s holiday time! My gift today is the story of a recent decision. You may want to try it. It's made life a bit more effortful, but it's produced real results. It has paid off in both expected and unexpected ways. Whoa! I quit Facebook. I quit Facebook. Yeah, it’s...
Two language tricks that mean they’re b.s.ing you
One of the most valuable distinctions you can make about language is to develop insight into active and passive voice. “Mistakes were made” is passive voice. It doesn’t say by whom those mistakes were made. People use passive voice to avoid...
Mind Reading for Fun and Profit!
Want followers? Want to get more from a negotiation than you go in expecting? Want more loyal relationships with your employees? Want people to be committed to your cause? Want deeper friendships and romantic relationships? Empathy is the key. It’s the ability to...
It’s OK to say “No” with former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss
We all like to hear a resounding “yes” in response to our questions. But sometimes, a “no” can get us what we really want...
Episode 413: It’s OK to say “NO” with Chris Voss
Today's Get-It-Done Guy episode features Chris Voss, author of the new book Never Split the Difference. Chris is the former top hostage negotiator for the FBI. Enough said. He joined me on the Get-it-Done Guy to talk about how to negotiate in unconventional ways that...
How everyone can use powerful coaching questions, with Michael Bungay Stanier
In this episode of Business Explained, I interview Michael Bungay Stanier, author of "The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More And Change The Way You Lead Forever." We discuss how to use some truly powerful coaching questions to boost your ability to help...
How would you know if you’re evil?
It's almost Halloween, which means it's time to confront our fears... The Evil Queen stood in the doorway. The terrifying thing wasn't the smoke rising from her hair, the sinister red glow emanating from her fingertips, or the half-eaten apple rolling on the ground...