Interpretations and Drawing Conclusions

I recently facilitated a leadership seminar. The attendees were first and second line supervisors, having been in that position for up to 10 years. We were talking about staff members being focused on the success of the team and the … Continue reading

Whose Eyes Are You Using?

As I was watching my two dogs …  a 58 lb. 10-year-old basenji-shepherd-touch-of-lab that is not very assertive. and a 40 lb. 2.5-year-old female corgi-terrier mix.  I thought about how well they get along now … and how it was … Continue reading

When is a question not a question?

The human factors in aviation accidents is fascinating.Looking at this from a communications perspective, one of the events that sticks out in my mind, probably because it happens frequently to all of us, is the air traffic controller made a … Continue reading

Stopping at the amygdala ….

while en route to your neo-cortex can cause you all sorts of problems! A key point to know is how your brain reacts to threats.  We feel before we think. Emotions come before thoughts. Your amygdala houses your emotions and … Continue reading

Fiddler on the Roof

One topic that comes up fairly regularly when my clients want to improve employee engagement and loyalty.  One action that can easily show their appreciation is to praise their staff.  Remember: our emotions ‘arrive’ before our thoughts.  How we feel … Continue reading

Smart-Aleck Student Quips …

TEACHER: Johnny, why are you doing your math multiplication on the floor? JOHNNY: You told me to do it without using tables. TEACHER: Glenn, how do you spell ‘crocodile?’ GLENN: K-R-O-K-O-D-I-A-L’ TEACHER: No, that’s wrong GLENN: Maybe it is wrong, … Continue reading

Oh no!? Or Oh yes!

According to AIN Alerts in October of 2009 “Transportation fatalities in the U.S. decreased by 4 percent last year, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the NTSB. Aviation deaths dropped substantially, from 784 to 545 year-over-year. Nearly 90 percent, … Continue reading

One Solution to Smelling Badly?

Has this confusion ever happened to you? There’s an old tale in the Marine Corps about a lieutenant who inspected his platoon, and told the sergeant that the troops smelled badly. The lieutenant suggested that the troops change their underwear. … Continue reading

Subliminal Communication Rituals

This is an excerpt from an article on How Subliminal Advertising Works.  One paragraph states: The more stressed-out we are by the financial crisis and other problems, the more we unconsciously adhere to familiar, comforting rituals. Think how this affects … Continue reading

HR vs. CEO: ‘People’ vs. ‘Bottom Line’

Speaking of natural behavioral styles, the Washington Business Journal had an article about this very topic … why are more HR executives not at the executive table? There are a variety of reasons; however one of the top set is … Continue reading