5-minute read It’s coming. At some point in your career you’ll be receiving and delivering a less than good professional assessment. It’s an important moment for all involved. Delivered thoughtfully, with good intentions, criticism can help you or a colleague improve and grow. Delivered badly, it can leave anyone angry, demoralized or confused. Offering and [...]
(2-minute read, and a puppy picture) It’s the season for parties. While we go to parties to celebrate and have fun, some gatherings, notably with business colleagues, offer unique opportunities to create memorable impressions that can help you in your career. This is Macie She’s the last puppy of a big litter. Friends brought her [...]
Read Time: 3 Minutes The Evolution of a Labor of Love Three years ago a labor of love began. I was approached by the Michael J. Fox Foundation to collaborate on a series of communication guides for Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers. Much had been written about managing symptoms. Yet, because of the complexities around confronting, [...]
(Read Time: 2 Minutes) Ever have a GREAT IDEA? One you KNOW will gather enthusiastic support? You're SO SURE of your idea that you JUST CAN'T WAIT to put it out there. But before you launch your idea into the world, talk it through with a Trusted Peer. Reviewer feedback helps avoid launching ideas that are confusing or mystifying The Value of Peer Review [...]
A 2-part collaboration with Michael J. Fox Foundation Difficult conversations are hard. Because the subject matter is difficult and the outcome is uncertain, the tendency is to approach and avoid difficult subjects in equal measure. In 2015, it was a pleasure to partner with the Medical Communications team at Michael J. Fox Foundation and put together a practical [...]
(Read time: 1 1/2 minutes, plus a lunchtime activity) Congratulations you're invited! (This invitation arrives in your Inbox) What's your first thought? Women: 'What am I going to wear?' Men: 'Is there going to be food?' Are you prepared for this? Getting out there in the world and sharing what you do is what networking is all [...]
In fairness, the strategy really comes from John Lassater, Chief Creative Officer, Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Although it's fun to visualize Pixar's storylines being hatched late at night by a bunch of caffeine fueled creative geniuses, in reality Pixar's exceptional movies are the product of controlled creativity. Controlled creativity creates a consistent level [...]
Read Time: 2 minutes-plus a joke (seems like a lot of text, but really it's a lot of examples) Jokes are awesome They capture us, hold out the promise of laughter, create an 'aha' moment and an escape from the endless 'To Do' lists cycling in our overstimulated brains. Why do we love jokes? Because we [...]
(Read Time: 2 minutes) Storytelling is hot. Companies and nonprofit organizations are digging into their personal interactions with customers and donors to create curiosity about what they do and why it's important. The goal is to create a bond and ultimately, make a sale or secure a donation. Here are 10 things a good story [...]
(2 minutes of good reading below) The Liar's Bench, a fixture throughout small American towns, was any place - general store, outside the courthouse, under the Elm tree - where people congregated to tell stories. It was a place to gather, to be entertained and to learn. We work in an increasingly data and metrics [...]
