“Don’t give people advice. They just might take it.” I heard this advice (there’s some irony) and immediately thought of some terrible advice we often give in our era: “Follow your heart.” There are variations on this advice. Follow your bliss … you do you … you’ve got to be true to yourself. … The theme seems to be that, …
Beyond the Golden Rule: You don’t lead a room full of you
The cross country meet ended in tears–and a reminder that people have incredibly different preferences for how to interact with the world and think. For the first time on the podcast, we discuss the timeless DISC model for behavioral styles. Are you coaching, recognizing and training in a way that meets your team members’ preferences? The Hip Socket site has …
“Run your race”
He was a little overweight. The rest of the middle-school runners had passed him by. He was mumbling an apology to us cross country spectators as he labored past us–something about why he got a late start. I yelled back encouragement: “Just keep going!” The older, wiser dad standing next to me didn’t yell at all. He calmly, firmly put …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Addicted to Love
Well, I didn’t know this existed: Robert Palmer, performing live, with UB40’s horn section. A commenter who claims to have been there says the Pogues also performed!
The shrine of capitalism
I had seen the bumper stickers as a kid. I indeed wondered, “Where the heck is Wall Drug?” (Had I lived off I-90, I would have seen the legendary billboards as well.) And in 2012, I made my pilgrimage to Wall Drug, truly a shrine of capitalism. It is a place where Something was made out of Nothing. And it …
Jane’s Austen’s manual for … changing your mind
Is the public clamoring for more hot Jane Austen takes from two males sharing tips for the workplace? Much to our surprise: Yes! Our recent Jane Austen episode on sarcasm was one of our most popular. There’s more. “Pride and Prejudice” has a lot to say about the dangers of … well … prejudice. Tune in for how Elizabeth Bennett …
The devil’s playground
Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the brothers should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading. We believe that the times for both may be arranged as follows. … With these sentences St. Benedict begins chapter 48 of his influential Rules. I’ll spare you the history lesson except to say that his short …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Clown in Broad Daylight
I wonder how many young Americans are like me: I discovered Rox Sexsmith because I had a stereo installed at 1990s-era Best Buy. The songwriter covered by hundreds of stars had his legendary “Secret Heart” featured on a Best Buy promo CD. It’s such a great song. But this one has horns. …
Jane Austen’s manual for … sarcasm
What is sarcasm? Can it be acceptable? What is the most effective form of feedback? The Workplace Book Club is back! This time we tackle an excerpt from “Emma,” another novel by Jane Austen. (Download our free excerpt and discussion guide.) If you think you’re about to read a bit of a romance novel, you’re in for a treat. Austen …
Good news and some mixed news about EV customers
Some good news for my car dealership clients from the latest global survey of consumers about purchasing electric vehicles. There are lessons here for all of us. From McKinsey & Company: Despite enthusiasm for digital, traditional approaches remain popular. Forty-four percent of consumers say that they value a personal connection, and 40 percent say that they appreciate the opportunity for …