In training your people, have you skipped one of the three main steps? I’m referring to the ancient method of classical education known as the Trivium, the “three roads.” You might call it the Karate Kid method. The Three Roads You know what society called classical education as late as the 1800s? “Education.” It’s just how education was done. Modern …
The two questions
In the last post, we tackled the fact that many modern employees are “depraved on account they’re deprived.” They don’t know how to do some things you thought they would as an adult: have difficult conversations, make small talk, dress professionally, etc. This is the hand a manager is often dealt. A lack of socializing and civilizing on the part …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Goody Two Shoes
Adam Ant doesn’t abuse substances. The paparazzi make guesses about his private life based on this. He makes a song about being a “Goody Two Shoes.” Which features him womanizing. The visual overrides the message, in my opinion. But man what a catchy song.
Depraved because you’re deprived
It’s an anecdote I found completely bizarre. Until I heard it from multiple clients. I suspect you have experienced it, too: There are employees who simply walk out of the room when conversations with bosses or customers get the least bit tense. If they are criticized in any way, they literally stand up and walk out. When they walk out, …
Common fallacies: Seeing through what’s not true (part 1–Avoiding the question)
Some informative new episodes related to our series on “Crucial Conversations:” This latest series focuses on “common fallacies,” arguments we make that, if you stop to think about them, just can’t be true. Identifying and naming these statements can keep you from losing focus on what truly matters. We encourage our listeners (both of you) to use these fallacies to evaluate …
Sensei suspended my kids from judo
“Don’t worry about the money. Do the right things, and the money will come.” Coaches and consultants like me say such things. Most people nod their heads. But do you really believe the statement? If you do, in the short term your team may look like losers. I can illustrate by taking you to the world of judo. Meet my …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Keep It Between the Lines
I love it when my worlds combine: KCRW’s online broadcasts of Morning Becomes Eclectic are the reasons I discovered Leonard Cohen, Ben Folds and Squirrel Nut Zippers in the 1990s. Sturgill Simpson is from a couple counties over from me. I know a few of his high school classmates. And, well, horns.
Developing confidence as a new leader
Are you a new leader lacking confidence? We’ve got some tips. Confidence wasn’t automatically included when you were promoted to your first leadership position. We can help. Questions? Comments? Ideas for future episodes? Email Mike and/or Mark. Listen here … subscribe on Spotify, Amazon or Apple … or watch below.
Why bother with corporate values?
Automotive News produces really informative videos. This 4-minute briefing on Serra Automotive’s inventory sourcing is a great example. One of my mentors worked for Al Serra for a long time and has great respect for the team. The opening lines from current President Matt Serra gives me clues as to why: From a values perspective, the way we think about …
Rushed? Restless? … Why?
Pardon me while I preach to myself. I’ve mentioned insights from Alexis de Tocqueville before. A French aristocratic lawyer, he studied the United States in the 1830s and wrote what is perhaps the best outside-the-fishbowl view of our democracy ever written. Here’s the latest nugget, presented without comment except to add a silly but related meme. He mentions how astonishing …