In my communication keynotes and workshops, I frequently share this popular quote: Speak so that others love listening to you. Listen so that others love speaking to you. What I love sharing, even more, is HOW you go about doing that. How do you get a positive reaction from others when you speak…and when you listen? I sometimes share jokingly—truth…
On a Monday morning one of my colleagues ditched email and actually called a client. He had been wringing his hands and stressing all weekend after receiving an email from the client on Friday that led him to believe he had somehow unintentionally offended her. On the phone call, he was relieved when his client clarified that her message “I…
I learned from reading the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman that my preferred love languages are “acts of service” and “quality time.” In fact, my husband—with whom I celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary in December 2015—won me over with his acts of service such as offering to take me to the airport before dawn for a 6:00am…
“What brief thought would YOU share with young women on how to be content…even in tough times?” That’s the question that I recently posted on Facebook in preparation for a super-short presentation on “contentment”…and the responses I received are useful to EVERYONE, not just young women. I could have bypassed the opportunity to post this question. I could have just…
Golden Nuggets After speaking at a recent western-themed staff appreciation event, I was inspired to do a little mining for the golden nuggets in my popular presentation “How to Stay Positive and Focused in Uncertain Times.” Here’s what I dug up! In times of uncertainty and challenge your big picture serves as a “true north” which can be helpful in…
Back to S.C.H.O.O.L. My daughter is grown and out of the nest! However, August still feels like back-to-school time for me because it’s a month that I’m usually speaking to education groups to kick off the academic year. Three of my five paid speaking engagements this month have been on university campuses. I facilitated two staff retreats and served as…
Four-year-olds When my daughter was born [23 years ago] it occurred to me that I knew nothing about child rearing. Sure, I had been a working person and supervisor for many years, but my expertise on children was limited. Being the good educator that I was, I decided to do some research — a one year subscription to various parenting…
Are you a L.I.A.R.? Brainstorming in a breakout brought forth the brash but brilliant acronym L.I.A.R. Truth be told, it was some of my workshop participants who came up with it. With their permission I share this newfound abbreviation, and have embellished it with some of my own examples. Read on and see if you are a “L.I.A.R”….at least as…
I had the unique opportunity to read a REAL-LIFE “angry” email that a colleague had composed in response to a difficult workplace situation. The first list of words below was taken directly from that email. Thankfully, the email that was actually sent included the second set of words below. Positive, tactful yet still clearly conveyed the concerns. Perhaps this wrong…
Wedding Wisdom I was wowed by the words of wisdom in the wedding cards and the congrats comments following my 12-13-14 nuptials. I realized that many of these insights could be applied in ALL relationships…at work and at home. Here are some excerpts. Hope you find them useful! “Be loving. Be kind. Be caring. Be yourselves. Be loyal. Be understanding. …