March 2011

Communication tips for leaders: from Dale Carnegie

Let's Hold Hands and Walk on the Beach ... Vintage Picture of Children Enjoying a Swim and Day at the Beach

I read Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People in the late 1960‘s, when I was an early teen, living in Cuba. I remember how my hungry mind devoured every page.

Even at that young age, I could intuitively feel that his writing was timeless. Much of what he wrote is just as useful today for effective business communication as it was when it was first published in 1937. This is because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Therefore, I decided today to share with you some of his quotes about Communication. Continue reading »

Best investment ever!

Have you had any good tips on good investments lately? I have one that can be the best investment you ever made: Invest in Yourself!

Why invest in yourself?

Because, in the end, you’re the only one that can control your life and your reality. The more you invest in yourself, the more flexibility, wisdom, and power you gain. The more flexible and wise you are, the faster you’ll be able to adapt and adjust to any challenge in your life and work. Continue reading »

Check your ammo!

Bottom of the Cartridge

Sunday morning I saw in my twitter stream a statement by Andrea DeBell @brite2briter “Assumptions are ammunition for our untrained minds.” It reminded me of how many times individual or organizational assumptions create limits to progress and costly conflicts. Assumptions are like bullets that can destroy and kill.

“If my boss is being nice to me today, he must want something. I better be careful.”

“Investors don't care what our values are.” Continue reading »

Dealing with complex challenges -Survival skills

A recent NY Times article titled: "Google’s Quest to Build a Better Boss." reports on a study Mr. Bock and his group from Google undertook to find out what makes a boss most successful.

Mr. Bock’s group found what employees valued most were even-keeled bosses who made time for one-on-one meetings, who helped people puzzle through problems by asking questions, not dictating answers, and who took an interest in employees’ lives and careers.

It should not surprise us that a focus on and return to the "basics" of effective business communication and human relationship is the secret, not only of being a successful leader, but also to dealing with complexity. Continue reading »

Dealing with complex challenges - An example

Conventional wisdom tells us that to have an effective meeting we need to have an agenda, keep things moving, and track action items. That is excellent advice when the purpose of the meeting is to work on everyday, routine issues. However, much more than an agenda is necessary if the group is to deal with complex challenges. Continue reading »

Dealing with complex challenges - Introduction

complexity

In the last few years challenges seem to be getting more and more complex. I see many organizations struggling with solutions that don’t work, because they require new approaches.

Have you been dealing lately with an issue that is proving exceedingly challenging? Have you been trying to find a solution for months without finding one that works? You are not a alone! Continue reading »

Growing something new

Each of us needs something new at some point. New clothes, due to a change in weight or work. New friendships, because we moved away. A new job, because we need another challenge. A new house, because we outgrew the old one. A new start, because our whole life needs changing. . . .

Some times new growth is so slow and gradual that we almost fail to notice it. Like a late coming Spring. It seems nothing is happening, until we realized the sun is shining, the temperature is consistently over 60 degrees, and the trees have new leaves.

Other times the new is dramatic. Like a fierce storm, bringing destruction in its path. The aftermath requires drastic reconstruction and healing.

New growth can be very hard work. Like the toil and problems the Pilgrims endured to be able to live a new life in a new country. Continue reading »

Rediscovering wonder!

Around us each day are little and great possibilities for wonder that we tend to overlook. They could be human inventions or astounding natural wonders. We rush through life and zoom through our routines, and we miss out on the pleasure of noticing interesting and beautiful things. We miss out on wonder. Continue reading »

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Why invest in yourself?