It’s Not Your Mother’s Fault

People should fear natural disasters, and the reaction to Hurricane Dorian is rational and responsible. They should fear violence and accidents. But to fear buyers, to fear making a presentation, to fear writing something—these are irrational fears. They are fears of

The great irony I find with people who approach me for coaching is that many of them are in the 40s, have a college degree, have a family to support, and have been in this business for five-to-ten years, and

A great many people mumble, especially when they're unsure of themselves or providing excessive detail. Some people have naturally soft speaking voices. Many listeners have minor hearing issues of which they are not always aware. Speak up at meetings.  It's ironic

"Multi-tasking" is kind of ludicrous for people. It usually means that we do several things poorly at once, rather than one thing superbly well. It's a quantitative not a qualitative endeavor. Focus on what's important and in front of you. If

Alleluia! Someone wrote me this morning to tell me he lost something I'd sent him and would I please resend it and he apologized. About 98% of the time the communication is more like: "You never sent the instructions and I've checked

Some woman on Linkedin, a lawyer of course, posted that the first time you try anything it will be awful, so get it over with. That's so cynical and crass I scarcely know where to begin with it. I'd certainly

What would you most complain to the boss about today to improve your life and job? Well, you are the boss, so take care of the employee and fix what's wrong.

Jack Welch, Steve Jobs, Ulysses Grant, Meryl Streep, Picasso, Willie Mays, Frank Sinatra, Steven Sondheim, Oprah Winfrey, John Adams: If we think about our candidates for mastery in any number of diverse fields, they all share one thing in common: They

My first grade teacher taught me that I can't just demand to have my way, I had to compromise with others. I soon had that beaten into me, and learned the arts of compromise and influence by the third grade. It

I once had a coaching client who took every bump and jostle in life as a personal insult. He  took offense at a client of his who was chewing on ice from his drink, and told him it was irritating.