Listening is a critical skill—Take this audit to see how you’re doing
Cindy and I have been traveling this year, and after every trip, we remark to ourselves about how seldom people ask us a question and then really listen. So I thought I’d take a few minutes of your day and remind you about the impact of your listening on others. “We...
I have no idea…
“I’ve had some of my best conversations with strangers, she said, because they have no idea who they are dealing with.” —Brian Andreas, American author and Storypeople creator I enjoy spending time with the children of friends and engaging them in conversation...
Jazz, Wisdom, and Swing
One of my favorite quotes is from Charlie Bird Parker about playing jazz: “You've got to learn your instrument. Then, you practice, practice, practice. And then, when you finally get up there on the bandstand, forget all that and just wail.” I don’t play an...
A story about being remarkable
“Nothing is so ordinary as the desire to be extraordinary.” —Al Capp Some people in life are freaky good. There aren’t many, but they are easy to spot in every discipline. For instance, in the world of rodeo, there are both amazing riders and amazing animals. I...
Wait for it… wait for it…
Just being in the same room with your kids is often all you need to get a conversation going. You don’t have to ask questions. You don’t have to make comments. Just being present, maybe doing something that doesn’t require your whole attention, creates space for a...
Ask Paul: How do I advance my career? Can your book help? Thanks, Rusty
Love the question, Rusty. Here’s my take: You are either moving forward or you are losing ground. You are either making a positive impression or you are not. Even a neutral impression doesn’t serve you well. Your career is not something to take for granted. I also...
THERE IS NO PLACE TO GET TO!
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function — F. Scott Fitzgerald I read David Brooks’ column this week in the New York Times and in it, he mentions the idea of...
Whoa, let’s slow down.
If I’m not happy in this time and place, I’m not paying attention. –Jodi Hills, American author Sometimes I get upset about how life is going. It’s as though life should actually be the way I think it should be, and if it isn’t, I am personally offended and resentful....
Ask Paul: I cancelled 8 of my last 10 staff meetings because they included only information sharing. Now, my managers say they miss the opportunity to interact with their peers. Thoughts?
Thank you for the question, Wes. First, I give you credit for choosing to respect the time of your managers by being thoughtful about whether or not to meet. Questioning the value of sharing information is also a step in the right direction. Second, the path to making...
Nineteen Things I Love About You
It is easy to come up with things we like about our kids. And every once in a while, it’s useful and fun to push the boundaries of our awareness by stretching to come up with more than just a few. I love going for 19 when I think about things for which I might...