Do you consider the other person’s viewpoint? The other day a few people at the local workout place were chatting about a person who had recently passed on. “He had good run.” They were all in agreement. “He had a good life.” They all nodded. “Pretty old at 75, can’t complain about that.” One older gentleman passing by this group said, “Hey guys, from your viewpoint sure, maybe so, I’m 74 and I’m not ready to go yet. I’d like a bit more of a run if it’s all right with you.” He … [Read more...]
Are Soft Skills Hard Skills For You?
Are soft skills hard skills for you? Yes I know the term soft skills sounds so, well, limp. Soft skills are the skills that enable us to effectively get along well with other people. The top of mind essentials to note are: communication adaptability stress management teamwork organizational problem solving decision making time management critical thinking Now when I read through what I just typed in this list, it has business, career and work written all over … [Read more...]
Do You Recall Having A Conversation?
Do you recall having a conversation with someone? With anyone? Sadly, this isn’t a lead in to a joke. Think about it. First there is the lead in to the Covid Era – as it will be marked in history. There was already a lot of email, texting and does anyone even listen to a voicemail? Then we have the years of the Covid Lockdown – as it will be marked in history. Zoom calls, conference calls, 24 X 7 texting and email invites all the time. Where were the actual one-on-one … [Read more...]
Improving Your Language Skills
“The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion it has taken place.” George Bernard Shaw How are your language skills? As we reemerge from COVID lockdown back into the world it seems that more people are scattered and rushed than ever. Are your communication skills out of practice? Have you noticed a need for improvement in yourself or others? Everything begins with the ability to communicate. To accomplish this everyone involved must be open and willing to communicate … [Read more...]
How Do You Argue With The Facts?
This story is one I’ve heard on CNBC – from CEO’s, COO’s, Analyst and many others. “In order for something to happen at xyz, (whatever company they’re speaking about) it’s going to be like stopping a loaded Supertanker at sea. It’s going to take forever!” Let’s begin with a fact – Yes, if a Supertanker was fully loaded and traveling at full speed ahead and then stopped the engines it would take awhile to stop. Now that is a fact. In reality why would a Supertanker need to all of a sudden … [Read more...]
Shh! Can You Keep A Secret?
An interesting thing about communication and ships is the secretive nature of information from HQ – headquarters - or the home office to and from the ship. Most of us can easily understand why this would be the case for Naval Vessels. Why has it continued to be a practice for merchant vessels? Some would make the case that this became a practice from WWI and then more so from WWII. Where the ships were heading and when they would be going were key strategic pieces of information. Without a … [Read more...]
