How would you evaluate your parenting? If you’re like most of us, you probably do some things well, and some things not so well. My husband and I have been parents for two decades. We have two daughters. We haven’t been perfect parents; anymore than either of our own.
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As someone who studies human motivation, here’s what I have observed, when people talk about striving for a bonus, or driving company earnings, they tend to look eager, and frankly quite stressed. Yet when people talk about making a difference to their team, students, customer, or constituents, they beam.
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Remember when everyone said email was going to save us so much time? How’s that working out for you? Progress comes with its price. The printing press spawned junk mail. Alexander Graham Bell’s fabulous phone begat tele-marketers. Now, thanks to the accessibility of the web, people have gone trigger.
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I lost my Dad, Jay Earle, last week after a 6-month battle with cancer. Regular readers know my father’s stories: The skinny 1950s teen who played sax in a dance band with Warren Beatty, the 18-year-old who became a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy by volunteering for dirty jobs,.
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Everyone wants to influence and persuade. Worthy causes want to attract donors and volunteers. Marketers want you to buy their products. Teachers must persuade students to put their time and attention into the subject. People who believe in their cause (be it a product, idea, or subject matter) often.
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Have you ever watched one of those TV shows where people get advice from an expert? It’s an odd dynamic, people go on the shows for help, but when the experts weigh in they become defensive and resist. It’s an exaggerated version of what happens in any work setting..
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A critical decision is one that shapes your future, things that affect your career, your relationships, and your reputation. We often agonize over non-critical decisions. Deciding what kind of car to buy is probably not going to have a big impact on your career. Deciding how to cut your.
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When our firm first introduced Noble Purpose, we had a concept, but we weren’t very systematic in our methodology. It was more hit or miss, getting by where we could and figuring things out along the way with our clients. I’m grateful to those early adopters, with their help,.
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Last year I was working with the CEO of a pharmaceutical firm that specialized in allergy medicine. He’d just joined the company and was preparing for his first big town hall. As the new CEO, he recognized that people would want to know his plans. He prepared several slides.
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I confess. I’m an optimist. I’m one of those people who always look on the bright side and believe that a good attitude can turn around even the most miserable of situations. The problem with being an optimist is that other people often assume you’re an idiot. In fact,.
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