Are You (Really) A Good Listener?
Do you want to know something shocking? At least, it was shocking to me. I recently analyzed the data for my Sphere of Influence research on how people use the twelve different interaction styles, and the results were a landslide. Of 6861 people surveyed, guess what the least used style was? You guessed it: Listen. […]
Denial: A Defensive Response to Stress
Do you often shrug off big events, only to regret it later? Like an angry customer, conflicts at work, or the repercussions of your own mistakes? Or perhaps you put tasks on the backburner, telling yourself they’ll be fine when they’re really, really very urgent to deal with now? Being in denial is a classic […]
The Secrets To Effectively and Politely Opposing Others
“Great idea!” “Right on!” Don’t you love hearing that you’re correct? It’s a good feeling when others back you up, share your vision, or can’t wait to implement your suggestions. We’ve all been there! The opposite, however, doesn’t feel as great. Many of us get uncomfortable even thinking about turning down someone else’s idea or […]
Mouse, or Elephant? Why Stress Makes Us Exaggerate
We all love a good story. They’re more entertaining than dry, hard facts, and sharing an interesting tale is a great way to bond with others. But do you ever catch yourself embellishing your narratives, expanding on them more and more with increasingly (fictional) detail? Like that small headache that became a migraine when you […]
How to Lead with Empathy
You’d be surprised how big of an impact the little things can have. When someone thanks you, acknowledges a job well done, or asks you about your weekend. Perhaps it’s that check-in from a colleague who knows you’re doing a tough assignment, or even just that smile as you pass in the hallway. It’s especially […]