I’ve got a funny relationship with optimism and pessimism. After working in corporate PR for decades I’m pretty jaded about business and government leaders. When a CEO or anyone in government makes a stupid decision with painful consequences, I’m not … [Read more...] about Pessimistic optimist?
For real. Never do these things
In April I wrote a newsletter issue on things every leader/communicator should always do, and then another on things a communicator should never do. And then I had a great time writing Jones, the villain in the WidgetCo story who did all of the bad … [Read more...] about For real. Never do these things
Asking with elegance
None of us is capable of doing everything we need/want to do in the world alone. Part of being alive is about giving and receiving help. But asking for help can feel so awkward. So how can we do it with elegance? I think it’s about recognizing … [Read more...] about Asking with elegance
The customer is king
This year, the question I get more than any other is: “How do I deal with someone who is trying to derail my meeting?” We’ve addressed several internal meeting scenarios, but what if it’s a customer meeting? Well, that’s a whole different ball … [Read more...] about The customer is king
It depends on who’s interrupting
When clients ask me “How do I deal with someone who is trying to derail my meeting?” my answer is, “It depends.” What is the purpose of the meeting? How much time is left to accomplish that purpose? Who is asking? How emotionally or … [Read more...] about It depends on who’s interrupting
Managing meeting chaos
Here’s something weird. This year, the question I get more than any other is: “How do I deal with someone who is trying to derail my meeting?” I’m not sure what it is about 2023, but apparently the humans in the meetings my clients are trying to … [Read more...] about Managing meeting chaos
The sky IS blue
When I was in coaching school, I met a wonderful human who told me that he taught his clients this beautifully simple practice. Whenever they’d have a negative or scary thought, he asked them to add this short statement: “And the sky is blue.” As … [Read more...] about The sky IS blue
Looks like we made it
Well here we are, at the end of another chaotic year. Will 2023 be more “normal”? Do we even know what “normal” means anymore? Regardless, we made it. We piloted our rafts through whatever rapids came at us. We got thrown out of the raft and … [Read more...] about Looks like we made it
Take the opposite view
My head loves worst-case scenario thinking. It was great when I was a PR person who needed to envision and prepare for any potential crisis, but it’s not so awesome when I’m just trying to live my life. One tool I’ve learned from a few coaches is … [Read more...] about Take the opposite view
Your brand
Your customers and prospects are a skeptical bunch. They have been burned before, so they are super careful about committing time and money to someone new. How do you get them to trust you? Table stakes: You listen. You do what you say you’ll do. … [Read more...] about Your brand
