Showing posts in the category “Communication”

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• September 6, 2021
  6Sep2021

  Managing Difficult Conversations as You Return to School, Work, and Post-Pandemic Life

  

  There seems to be a surfeit of difficult conversations these days that hover around topics like masks, vaccines, back to school policies, world affairs, and the federal budget, just to name of few. I'm not even sure the title of this post accurately reflects our current state, as the "pan"-demic, according to many scientists and medical professionals, is becoming "en"-demic. The Covid 19 virus, they say, will be with us for a while, endemic to our health landscape, though that is also up for debate.

  An article by Meg Griffiths about the kinds of questions we have as the pandemic changes and continues to affect our work, family and communities came across my screen recently. Please read on to learn Meg's background and thoughts about transforming anxiety-ridden conversations into opportunities to listen, learn, and clarify intention....

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• June 29, 2021
  29Jun2021

  The Non-Comeback Comeback After an Insult

  

  Tammy Lenski is a frequent guest on my blog. I read her posts consistently, and I love sharing them. This one gave me pause not only because the Zen koan was so poignant but also because I have been on the other side of Tammy's story. I've had moments of judgment about mask wearers. I've never spoken my judgment out loud, but I've been there. Most of the time I center myself and shift fairly quickly to wonder, curiosity, and non-judgment. And now, thanks to Tammy's story--to compassion.

  As always, I'm grateful to Tammy for sharing her wisdom, and for the insight I gained. Enjoy this great story and the Zen koan.....

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• June 15, 2021
  15Jun2021

  The Gift of Asking for Help

  

  Last week my car battery died unexpectedly. Early in the day, I went into my garage and put a CD into the car player to check if the CD still played (my home player wasn't working). It did (yay!) so I ejected the CD, came into the house and went on with my day. 

  About 2:30, I looked for my keys to get ready to drive to an appointment about 20 minutes away. My keys were not in their usual place. I got a sinking feeling. I went out to the garage, and there they were in the ignition (in "alt" position) where I'd left them five hours earlier. Oh no. No juice left in the battery. I'd drained it.

  My husband was unavailable and so was his car. I thought of a few friends I might call. Although this was an appointment I didn't want to miss, I hesitated. I don't find it easy to ask for this kind of help--for someone to drive me somewhere or (heaven forbid) loan me their car, especially on such short notice. It felt like a big favor, and I went back and forth for a while. Do I cancel? Reschedule? Call someone? ....

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• June 1, 2021
  1Jun2021

  Should I Say Something? When to Speak Up In a Group

  

  A reader wrote in recently with a difficult (and common) question about when to speak up in a group, and what to do if you speak and then wish you hadn't.

  From my reader:

  I read your message on how you can always center yourself--anytime and anywhere. However I have a hard time knowing when to speak up in a spiritual circle I belong to. We’re supposed to listen and not acknowledge our reactions, and this is hard for me. Sometimes I speak and have a tough time feeling okay afterward, as if I'd done something wrong. Any advice?

  I love this question because it hits on something that happens to me quite often, and I know from experience what it's like to wonder whether I should say something or stay quiet in a group setting....

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• May 18, 2021
  18May2021

  Thinking Again: Why "What We Don't Know" Is Important

  

  The more you think you know about something, the less you actually do. I just finished reading Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know, by organizational psychologist Adam Grant. 

  The book's full of great stories and interesting facts (and great cartoons!). For example, here's an exercise directly from the book:

  Compared to most people, how much do you think you know about each of the following topics--more, less, or the same?

  • Why English became the official language of the United States
  • Why women were burned at the stake in Salem
  • What job Walt Disney had before he drew Mickey Mouse
  • On which spaceflight humans first laid eyes on the Great Wall of China
  • Why eating candy affects how kids behave

  You might be surprised by the answers, I know I was...

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• May 4, 2021
  4May2021

  Questions About Common Conflicts

  

  In my workshops and coaching, I'm often asked about how to resolve specific conflicts. Especially now that workshops are happening on Zoom, the questions that appear in "Chat" will often have similar themes. Two themes that appear frequently are ones around new relationships and others around "letting go."

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• January 26, 2021
  26Jan2021

  The Power of Noticing

  

  I'm very fortunate to meet many wonderful coaches, trainers, and consultants in my day to day work. Janice Cohen is one of those people. Specializing in healthcare leadership, Janice supports those who support us. I've worked with Janice and watched her courageously coach leaders to discover their personal strengths and values, and the behaviors and experiences necessary to meet these challenging times.

  I loved her recent post, which struck a chord that is near and dear to my heart--the power of noticing. I think you'll enjoy and learn from it, as I did.....

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• December 15, 2020
  15Dec2020

  When Opinions Contrast Sharply, Practice Scales

  

  As my friend and colleague, Tammy Lenski says on her website, she supports people and organizations to...

  "Disagree better. Buffer important personal and professional relationships from the negative effects of conflict without sacrificing creativity and collaboration."

  I've know Tammy a long time and admired her work and dedication to providing ways we can touch into our humanity in order to meet each other half way and get along better. As a professor, professional mediator and coach, Tammy practices what she teaches and always has something interesting to say in her writing. I'm happy to share a recent post today:

  When opinions contrast sharply, practice scales

  By Tammy Lenski

  Practicing scales is an elegantly simple way to get a read on where someone stands along a continuum. It’s useful for illuminating the nuances in disagreements that sound polarized.

  When arguments sound black and white, it’s time to find the gray....

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• September 22, 2020
  22Sep2020

  Batter Up!

  

  I'm delighted to share a new post from my friend and fellow blogger and coach, Carrol Suzuki. As Carrol says:

  Listening is an endangered skill in today's quick-bytes, hurry-up world. Although listening is one of the most neglected business skills, it's possibly the most vital. The good news is listening intention and capacity can be learned.

  And that's what Carrol does--helps us become attentive and authentic listeners. She's also a great blogger. Enjoy!  ....

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• September 8, 2020
  8Sep2020

  Looking Through Their Window

  

  In Turn Enemies Into Allies, I share multiple stories about seeing events through another’s eyes. I sometimes find that easy to do, and other times not easy at all. I think wearing masks in this Covid environment when we’re in close proximity to one another is a good idea, for example, and I’m not trying too hard to see the other side of that argument. And… I know there is one....

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