We are entitled to our own opinions, but none of us is entitled to our own facts. In fact, most of us hold our opinions with little respect for facts. For instance, when you ask a passionate partisan why she voted… Read More »Let us now praise specifics
You may be familiar with the prayer-like song that Bob Dylan wrote in which he wishes that someone, or all of us, can “stay forever young.” May you always be courageous Stand upright and be strong And may you stay…… Read More »Forever young and distrusted: The five languages young professionals need to know
When she was a year old, I held my daughter Georgia at the closed window of our 30th floor New York City apartment so we could look out over Times Square. Across the street, stretching the full length of a… Read More »Public speaking as empathetic assertiveness
Look at this ad from Microsoft. It appeared in a newspaper exactly as it looks, I have not done anything to it. At first glance, it looks like a mistake. It doesn’t belong in a newspaper or a magazine. It’s… Read More »Effective Communication: The unexpected gets attention
Meghan called. She was a high school senior, my daughter’s friend and highschool classmate. She had a summer job selling for the CutCo Knife Company, and wanted to make a presentation to us in our home. I said, “Yes,” although… Read More »Sales Presentations: Selling by Doing
The Geico gecko, the AFLAC duck, and Jared the Subway sandwich guy all have the same job. They are likeable characters who appear in very short stories (ads) on TV. The gecko is low-key and sensible while his boss, the… Read More »Persuasive communication and the Geico gecko