Being persuasive is a vital skill for successful personal and business relationships. Whether alone or in groups, with friends or with strangers, at work or at home, we are often called to share a vision, an idea, and a plan for putting something into action. Maybe it’s the launch of a new product or service? …
How are you doing?
The start of a new year is a natural time to pause and reflect. It makes sense to assess progress over the past year, and to think about the goals of the new year. Kevin Daum, a regular contributor to Inc. magazine and seasoned entrepreneur, wrote recently about the power of self-reflection. He recommends asking the following questions …
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
A short poem for the day, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men. I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th’unbroken song Of …
7 treasured lessons from A Christmas Carole
We all know the story, nearly by heart. We know the scary parts, the funny parts, and the tender parts. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has entertained – and haunted – generations for over 173 years. Except for the Nativity story itself, it may very well be the best-known story of the season. Bob Welch, …
The four c’s of good conversation
When you think about all the conversations you have in just one day – with spouses, children, colleagues, customers, prospects, bosses, teams – it reminds you of the importance of having good conversations. And conversations come in many forms: meetings, one-on-ones, presentations, phone calls, emails, texts, etc. The ability to converse in a respectful, meaningful way …
Having a third space
If we’re not careful, work stress can easily become home stress, often at the expense of our families and friends. Work stress is natural if you care at all about what you do. But being able to set it aside for at least a little – to compartmentalize it – is the key to making …
With sincere thanks
In the spirit of this holiday week, I’d like to extend a simple and sincere thank you. Thank you, Readers, for letting me share an idea each week. Thank you, Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders, for sharing your insights, experiences, and advice, and for providing encouragement and ideas to fellow entrepreneurs. Thank you, Clients, for trusting us with …
Palmer’s secrets to winning
Pro golfing legend Arnold Daniel Palmer passed away on September 25, 2016 at the age of 87. Palmer was beloved by his fellow touring pros and fans alike because of his humility, determination and courage when it came to competing on the world’s biggest stages. Palmer was also very quotable, and spoke a great deal about …
How to take calculated risks, smartly
Reward and risk are the two sides of any opportunity. Both are present in any investment of time and capital. The real question is ‘how do we risk assets to keep growing without putting everything at risk?’ Whether you’re talking about your career, your business, or your household, you need to create an environment that …
How to make really hard decisions
Good judgement is critical for making hard decisions. But how do you get good judgement? It is an ever-changing mix of thinking, instinct, experience, and character. Joseph Badaracco, the John Shad Professor of Business Ethics at Harvard Business School, teaches leadership, strategy, corporate responsibility, and management, and says they are five practical questions that can …