We all make mistakes. When you try to repair the damage, do you make the situation better or worse? We’ve all been raised to say “ I’m sorry ” after hurting someone through our words or actions, but is your apology disingenuous or a meaningful expression of regret? What are the ingredients of an effective… [Read More]
With All Due DISrespect … Clean Up Your Act
Did you ever walk through a city and see cigarette butts glowing on the pavement, half-empty soda bottles littering the sidewalk, and garbage blowing in the air? The sight is hideous, and the stench is nauseating. It’s an invitation for rodents and disease. The crazy thing is, there’s a garbage can on almost every street… [Read More]
I’m Not a Mind Reader. Are You?
“Pick a number between one and twenty-five. Wrong. Let’s try again. What’s my favorite color? Or my favorite food?” As crazy as this sounds, we bury our thoughts and then expect others to know what we’re thinking. Are you a mind reader? Why does this happen? Some folks have trouble expressing their thoughts and feelings… [Read More]
This Discussion Has No Room for Debate
Why do leaders surround themselves with “yes” people? Why do managers reward employees for thinking alike? Why do people tune into news that validates their existing beliefs? These statements beg the obvious question: Why do people need to confirm their own thinking? And what do they lose by limiting discussion and debate? Some folks seek… [Read More]
Being “All Talk” Speaks Volumes. Need I Say More?
Call it whatever you want: “All bark and no bite; All sizzle and no steak; All foam and no beer.” The meaning’s still the same — talk is cheap. The fact is, being all talk amounts to nothing more than hollow words. While some people believe that saying something will make it come true, nothing… [Read More]
Freedom of Speech Carries Responsibility
Freedom of speech is the right to express one’s ideas and opinions without censorship, restraint, or fear of retribution. But with that freedom comes implied responsibility. You have the right to shout obscenities out the window, scream racial slurs in a crowd, or be downright nasty on social media, but why would you? Freedom of… [Read More]
A Political Candidate I Could Vote For (Share If You Agree)
My Candidate Would… Put the country first. Do what’s right. Period. Be fair. Tell it like it is. Be compassionate. Find areas of common ground. Make tough decisions. Follow the law of the land. Keep their promises. Fix more problems than they create. Award contracts based on qualifications. Remain accountable. Honor tradition. Stop “gotcha” politics…. [Read More]
Prejudice: “All” Is an Ugly Word
All cops are _____. All Wall Street bankers are _____. All Mexicans are _____. All liberals are _____. You fill in the blank. Actually, please don’t. “All” is an ugly word. It’s naked prejudice. In the past few years, I’ve seen too many people assign labels to groups and call them derogatory names. It’s easy to… [Read More]