I give you the first rock single to go gold. The lyrics are cute, managing to work in Eve, Delilah and Jezebel. You can read about the songwriter here.
Recruiting employees? Which kind? From which pool?
Classical education is at the heart of what Hip Socket is about. One way I describe it: Wrestle and grow more organized, confident and influential. The tradition calls us to slow down so we can get organized in our knowledge of the problem before us … then wrestle with it, often in challenging dialogue, to get confident in our understanding …
Eight ways to ask a question well
As coaches, Mike and Mark spend a lot of time teaching clients how to coach their teams. You can learn powerful questions … you can master frameworks for the conversation … but how do you ask the question? This episode borrows liberally from Mark’s training with the International Coach Federation and from Michael Bungay Stanier, who we think is the bee’s …
A big announcement–and some thanks
I’m happy to announce that the International Coach Federation has credentialed me as a Professional Certified Coach. I’ve often thought of achieving PCC as similar to achieving CPA. The process is rigorous. You might pass one part but have to retake another. It takes years. But it’s worth it: PCC is the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval that you are …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Tower of Power medley
I’ve been pretty clear that funk is going to be a part of this ongoing series. In this live broadcast from 1977, you’ll hear the announcer mention that Tower of Power was opening for Santana. The fashions have certainly changed, but the music blasts right through those hairstyles and bellbottoms.
Making money, serving customers or impacting generations of families?
What if you could have all three? This article (warning, it’s from a conservative source) has a great summary of some of the things that make Ritz-Carlton a great luxury hotel chain. And it makes that summary in the midst of an article about how the hotel’s cultural behaviors could transform a family’s culture for the better. The hotel chain …
Empathy in retail
“I’ll show you wiggle room.” Jalopnik invited readers to send in their worst car dealership experiences. Quite an entertaining read. It will definitely make you think of “the Sales Badger.” Buried in the middle of Jalopnik’s list is a story shared by an employee of a dealership. Here’s the introduction: I’m lucky enough to actually sell cars at a dealership …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Skin Trade
I’m unclear why I haven’t featured “Notorious” yet on this weekly reminder that horn sections make rock better. I love that song. Still, from the same album, I give you Duran Duran. Some DD members also had a side project with Chic in The Power Station–lots of horn there, too.
Why I bought new tires: The value of coaching and CX
It took more than 3,000 miles, a trip to urgent care for asthma, altitude sickness treatments, a bloody nose that made a hotel room a crime scene, a hail storm, severe weather while fighting traffic during Stanley Cup celebrations and … well, anyway, we’re home from a trip to the Rocky Mountains. I bought new tires. I want to tell …
Podcast 114 – Crucial Conversations: Take action–and follow up!
That high-stakes, emotional conversation you just had? The one where you finally had a resolution to a big issue? It’s all for nothing if you don’t complete this final step. This episode is part of our series on “Crucial Conversations.” The first episode is at this link. We would love your questions and comments for future episodes: Email Mike and …