“I’m Not Complaining—I’m Explaining”… Are You Sure? This past week, I was listening in a call between a client and her employee. In response to my client’s question regarding why her employee had—essentially—dropped the ball the employee… Read More
Decrease the Pressure = Increase the Traction Let me begin by saying that I don’t think anyone should drive on the beach for anything less than an emergency. I recognize others feel differently. One of these people… Read More
Hope: When Can it Lift You Up? When Can it Let You Down? Emily Dickinson famously said, “Hope is the thing with feathers/ that perches in the soul” and I agree. Delicate and sometimes elusive, hope can keep us going when we are… Read More
2 People Meet = 6 People Present: What to Do When You’re Perplexed, Agitated, or Aggravated by Those Around You This past week my attention was caught by a quote from psychologist and philosopher, William James: “Whenever two people meet, there are really six people present. There is each man… Read More
Anatomy of a Crummy Apology (and How it Could Be Improved) I write a lot about apologizing because I think it is an important, and under-rated skill. Important because—when done well—apologies cause people to forgive: to give as they did before.… Read More
Sometimes Perfection is Messy… Greetings and salutations, it’s wonderful to reconnect in 2021. If you’ve been receiving the Wow for a while you know each year I pick a theme I hope will serve… Read More
What Would Success Look Like? As some of you may remember, in 2019 I spent time training at the Edward Lowe Foundation. Among the many things I learned was the value of asking clarifying questions… Read More
“Not This Story Again…” Have any of you had the experience of hearing a colleague or loved one launch into a story you have heard them tell many, many times? In these moments—if your… Read More
“We Interrupt this Thanksgiving…” Those of you old enough to recall watching television programs in a scheduled way may remember hearing the announcement, “We interrupt our program to bring you this important message…” After… Read More
Catalyze Complaints: Turn Your Complaints (and Others’) into Coping, Calm, or Conquest If your days are anything like mine, it’s possible that you run through a daily internal—or external—litany of complaints… your job is making you nutty, your family is unappreciative, your… Read More