talk shiFt
Retire Your Representative
How often does your representative show up? > You know, that person who is merely a version of you… not the real you. > You know, the more politically-correct, diplomatic version of you who attempts to keep up with... Read More »
Under A Rock?
For those who “put it out there;” those who contribute to the world, not just consume; those who have the nuts to take risks; those who refuse to live under a fucking rock their whole life… here’s some great advice from... Read More »
4 “Black Flag” Phrases
You know you’ve heard these phrases before… Perhaps you’ve likely said them yourself… I call them “black flag” phrases, and you should be very afraid of them… These statements are communication suicide for practitioners, though they usually don’t realize... Read More »
The 5%
A lot of well-intentioned folks are afraid of truth; afraid to get honest and look at things objectively. Based on a butt-load of personal experience and a bit of psychology, my bet is that 95% of people are. I... Read More »
The Realization
The realization… that your “voice” isn’t being heard. The realization… that your ideas are as important as anyone else’s. The realization… that everyone’s favorite subject is themselves. The realization… that this reality will remain until an audience is cultivated.... Read More »
The Loud Talker
Ah yes, the “loud-talker” in public… you know who I’m talking about… hopefully it’s not you. This is an interesting breed of apparently oblivious (though not always), self-indulgent gems who make it their mission to ensure EVERYONE within earshot... Read More »
Handshake Shocker
What has the world come to when common courtesy is no longer a commodity? How bad must things be when a simple handshake… an offering or gesture to politely greet another person becomes a big deal and an ordeal? In seminars... Read More »
Audacity of Certainty
Are you capable of being wrong? No, I mean really capable of saying “I got that wrong, I missed the boat on that one, I got some bad information, I blew that, I’m promptly removing my head from my... Read More »
The Hard Way
Pointing fingers and shirking responsibility. Defensiveness. Denial. Avoidance. Resisting change. Being self-centered vs. selfless. Taking vs. giving. Telling vs. listening. Condescension. Intolerance. Arrogance. Insensitivity. These are the paths of least resistance. The easier things to do. The most predictable... Read More »
Thanks, for Nothing
This entire post SHOULD be unnecessary, but unfortunately it’s not. To me, this all goes without saying… But I’m gonna say it anyway in the hopes that even just one person receives this message the way it’s intended. And that... Read More »
“Human Relations”… not-so-common-sense
I’ve taught a course for years at the college called “Human Relations.” The course is often misunderstood at the outset by both students AND staff because the title is so obviously deceptive. Many people zoom right on by the... Read More »
Tool IQ
In the very popular Tool Time series (pats self on back), I call out the nine parts of the “RPM” approach to avoid being a “tool” most of the time. Here is a self-survey to assess your potential toolness. Answer Yes... Read More »
Huff and Puff
While purposely rolling your eyes, squirming in your seat, huffing and puffing in apparent strong disagreement with another person’s comments, positions, or points-of-view, at least have the nuts to speak up when asked to share YOUR views. Otherwise, blow... Read More »
Reality is Perception
Many years ago, one of my mentors used to tell me that "the world is as you are, not as it is…" Read More »
