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Turning Potential Into Results
Take the keys away!
The Abilene Paradox refers to a situation in which a group of people make a collective decision that is counter to the preferences or interests of everyone in the group. The paradox was first described by Jerry Harvey in his 1974 article “The Abilene Paradox: The Management of Agreement”. Here’s the story: “On a hot…
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WYSIWYG: Who is the You?
When someone says “What You See Is What You Get”, they are saying “I’m being upfront and open.” As they are proclaiming being transparent, they are also say it’s up to you to believe them or not. Surprise! It’s you! While no truer words were every spoken, I think the profoundness (and actuality) of the phrase WYSISWG is often missed. We think it’s…
Read MoreLearn to Interrupt (yourself, not others)
Before last month, if you would have asked me if I was a good listener, I would have quickly and assuredly said “Yes.” Now, my response is, “I’m learning to be a better one.” Why the change? I’ve been engaged in dialogues, the art of listening. Dialogue is the discipline of collective learning and inquiry.…
Read MoreWhat Washington Politics can teach us about Office Politics
Both networking experts and relationship gurus tell us the same thing: If you want to develop a relationship that lasts, don’t begin it by discussing religion or politics. Why? The topics are too emotion-laden, too side-taking, too side-making, too divisive. This conventional wisdom advises us to steer clear of discussing either topic at work. It’s…
Read MoreDon’t be bored: Gather clues!
When I was a kid (and not damming up Yellow Creek), my brother and I played two board games, Monopoly and Clue. My brother liked (and usually won) Monopoly which probably paid off in his role as a VC. Clue was my favorite. I liked it because I was good at making educated guesses. Nothing…
Read MoreStop Putting up with the Glare
Client story: An employee wanted to move to another workspace because the extreme glare on her desk made it hard for her to work. She was convinced that the glare was coming from a newly painted office building outside her window. To try and solve the problem herself, she put a row of plants on…
Read MoreSwallowing the bitter pill of rejection leads to a diet of success
No. Thanks, but no thanks. Decline. Not interested. Dismissed. Rejected. Your idea might not be adopted. Your application might be declined. Your declaration of love might receive a blank look. It’s ok to not like rejection. But, if you avoid it when something really matters to you, I promise you’ll regret it. Why? …
Read More2 Degrees of Separation (Subtitle: Be careful what you resell.)
Kevin started it. Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon is a parlor game based on the “six degrees of separation” concept which posits that any two people on Earth are six or fewer acquaintance links apart. Today, with connectivity being what it is, I think we’re down to two. On my “get-better-at” list, I have…
Read MoreCan you hear yourself now?
Time for a hearing test. No, not the kind that someone else wants you to get because they think you need hearing aids; this is a more of a “listening” test that can help you be more effective, more confident. This test is not age-related; it’s performance-related. “It’s not what you say, it’s what people…
Read MoreBeen nudged lately?
I got a D in English when I was a sophomore in high school. I don’t remember who my teacher was or if I liked him or her. I don’t remember who I sat next to in class. I don’t remember being yelled at by mom or dad; it’s likely they expressed their deep, deep…
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