Three ways to make small talk more meaningful

Small Talk

Small talk is everywhere. Like, everywhere. And if often involves our first interaction with a person — either a brand-new person, or our first interaction with a friend/acquaintance when we reconnect with them. The thing is, it typically doesn’t mean anything. It’s all… Continue Reading

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The leadership parable of the roofer, the carpenter, and the inline skater

Leadership and Different Ideas

Most “leaders” at organizations: Don’t understand that organizational breakthroughs can come from anywhere Aren’t really that comfortable with ideas outside of their own This varies by organization, of course, but most managers/leaders I’ve worked with fall into those camps. If… Continue Reading

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Try to avoid “zombie personal branding”

Zombie Personal Branding

I feel like the idea of “personal branding” is important — it’s basically what you show to the world, or what the world perceives of you — but the concept sounds very buzzword-y, so people that often talk of their… Continue Reading

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Are we becoming less religious?

Are we now less religious?

First, look at this chart (it’s from here): In general, then, richer nations — UK, Germany, Japan, Australia — tend to be less religious, but the U.S. actually seems to be far more religious than other nations among its wealth-generating peers.

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Office Politics: People aren’t creatures of logic; they’re creatures of emotion

Let's abandon professionalism

That’s a Dale Carnegie quote right there. I had heard it before somewhere — one of those moments you can’t exactly place — and I just saw it again in this article. That article talks about the underlying psychology of office… Continue Reading

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Onboarding: Hit the ground running = total farce of a concept

Onboarding, Baby! HR!

Love the concept of onboarding (an employee’s first days/weeks/months at a company). Love it. Went to school to learn more about it, that was a waste, and I ended up working in marketing. Oh well. Life happens, I guess. You live and learn. Just… Continue Reading

Replace vague praise with specific praise

Specific Praise at Work

Just a few days ago, I saw someone at work do something cool (and ahead of schedule) at work, and their manager said “Great job!” to them. That was it. Done and done. That’s cool in one way — hell,… Continue Reading

Richard Branson and leadership through listening

Richard Branson Leadership

From here: Richard has so many attributes as a leader that I respect and want to replicate at Virgin Hotels, but what I commend the most about him is his listening skills.  Given his success, you might think he would… Continue Reading