When we have a fully-formed idea in our mind, and try to communicate that to other people, it’s easy to overlook details that seem obvious to us. That perfect picture in our mind is still a black screen in the minds of others, waiting to be filled in with what we communicate. It’s important to confirm
One early morning, I watched local fishermen tending their nets as the tide slowly retreated, following the setting moon. Fishermen understand the importance of timing. They take in many factors of nature to decide when to cast their nets. In persuading & influencing, we benefit from learning the right timing too. In Pre-Suasion: A Revolutionary Way
The limits of my language are the limits of my world. — Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosopher Are ideas independent of language? Can one person’s idea conceived in one language be completely translated into another language without loss? In our global world, even with Google translate or human interpreters, perfect communication is rarely possible. If you have
Teams often suffer from a hierarchy of 5 major dysfunctions, starting with a basic lack of trust, according to Patrick Lencioni, author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. Without trust, they hold back opinions from others. Without open expression, the team will have difficulty committing to group goals. Without 100% commitment,
Inigo Montoya, a character in the story “The Princess Bride,” provides a simple lesson on communicating. Step 1: Give a polite greeting. Step 2: State your name. Step 3: Establish a personal connection. Step 4: Manage expectations of the relationship. Learn effective communication, leadership, and soft skills at Soft Power Skills Academy, at https://www.softpowerskills.com Network
When I was in the US Air Force, I witnessed several examples of the downside of goal-setting. The structure of promotion often rewarded holding certain positions over the actual performance in the position. One example particularly sticks in my mind of a “fast burner,” or someone on the fast promotion track, who was shifted over
Life is difficult, and we will encounter challenges. We’ll come to places where we need to step up and grow. This is a common story about everyone, told in different ways. Here’s one story about making a decision to change…to break barriers. Your Story: Your Experience of Soft Power Skills Academy from Soft Power Skills
Our own brains can battle against effective decision-making because of cognitive biases. Limited models in our minds and unconscious efforts to take the easy and obvious road skew our view of the world of possibilities we should consider in a decision. But these 5 methods help us open up our options for better solutions.
While the digitally-driven economy disrupts established ways, calling for workers with a balance of hard and soft power skills, the old education system is failing to produce what employers need. There is a solution. Just like Amazon, Uber, or Airbnb, technology can cut out the middle man in paradigm-shifting ways, connecting potential employees with employer needs, and motivating learners through autonomy, relatedness, and competency.
Three types of thinking styles tend to reflect your cultural background. Try this quiz to see how you think!
