Category: General

The perfect bus for introverts? Or not?

February 14, 2010

I am not sure how I feel about this. Easy for me to say as an adult, but isn’t the school bus a kind of learning lab for social interaction? We learn how to make conversations and talk to people different than ourselves. We even get some experience in fending off the mean girls and rough boys. And what about getting the real scoop about teachers and school policies, etc.??? All of these are skills that serve us well as we swing through the workplace.

“Cool Coming Off As Cold” – Coaching Obama

February 7, 2010

I have been discussing the idea of the Perception Gap for a while now. Introverts often are misunderstood and considered aloof or disengaged when they don’t exude warmth. Newsweek’s writer, Jacob Weisberg, had an interesting take on President Obama’s temperament in the piece, Cool Coming Off As Cold and how this perception is becoming an issue for our President.

Being present with a lively pastor

January 16, 2010

Oh, you think just because I am a pastor, I just drink gingerale.” I want to be “politically correct,” was my retort. I think we included humor and quite bit of content in the 14 minute conversation.

Acceptance

January 12, 2010

Peter is an older man who puts one foot in front of the other as he sweeps the street each morning near the local school. I have seen him each December on my daily walks on this small island tucked away in the blue seas of the Caribbean. As drivers go to work, they give him a slight horn “toot” in their morning meet and greet. Peter looks up and responds with a gentle nod of the head. He then goes back to his task – walking the same steps ever

Plugging Into A Warm Network

January 4, 2010

“My brother lost his job,” said my friend, Sam. Will you give him some tips? I asked how much of a network his brother had and Sam turned to…

Booking It

December 8, 2009

I am taking a short break from blogging/tweeting/facebooking/texting and email. Actually am welcoming the chance to reading non work books – a bio of FDR, a memoir by speaker and coach, Shirley Garrett – A Tap Water Girl in a Bottled Water World and Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants.

“What Do Think, Fools?”

December 6, 2009

When you think of a successful business leader, you probably imagine an outgoing “people person” with a strong handshake, a warm laugh, and a booming voice. A commanding presence, in short…….

The Power of Facial Expressions

November 1, 2009

We all can smile more. Hokey, you say? Consider the story of Nelson Mandela, the great South African leader. Apparently, he was a pretty dull speaker. What he did consistently in every setting was break out his huge smile. This symbolized his lack of bitterness toward white South Africans and communicated hope and triumph to black voters. Mandela’s smile was his message.

Look Back and Learn

September 25, 2009

I ran a leadership program with a group of Public Affairs pros today. One introverted leader shared how his team had learned from a recent situation.

Category: General

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