This page contains posts which form series. They are more specific and chronological than categories by taking a single theme and develop it. Series are the reverse of Collections which group related posts under a single theme. It’s easy to view series as sequels to a good story. I either received many visits to a post or commenters stimulated my thoughts that encouraged me to revisit the post’s topic and develop it. My first series was “Leadership vs. Management.” It came about because the first post received many hits (it still does). I also use series to describe steps in a process. The series, “Change Management,” is an example.
Apocalyptic Decision Making
- Dealing with Ambiguity
- Dealing with Complexity
- Apocalyptic Decision Making – Dealing with Uncertainty
- Apocalyptic Decision Making – Dealing with Volatility
- The Four Horsemen of Apocalyptic Decision Making
Strategic Complimenting
- Strategic Complimenting vs. Spontaneity
- Strategic Complimenting (Pt 2): Six Expectations
- Complimenting with These Two Words is Powerful
- Inadequacies of the Generic “Good Job” Compliment
- Strategically Using Compliments in Relationship Building
Pricing, The Secret
- Storytelling’s Importance in Business Valuations
- Tapping Pricing’s Secret (Pt 2): Setting the Stage
- Tapping Pricing’s Secret (Pt 1): Story, Symbol, Emotions
- Pricing, The Secret
Vanilla Words-Vanilla Thinking
The words we use tell much about us. Vanilla words are common words used to facilitate understanding and minimize confrontation in much the way vanilla ice cream and chicken are often served to minimize the offending of palates. As a result, while we avoid offense, we don’t create anything memorable and leave the impression that we are neither noteworthy or creative.
- Vanilla Phrasing, Vanilla Thinking, Vanilla Ideas
- Vanilla Words, Vanilla People, Succumbing CEO’s
- Vanilla Words and Uncreative Personalities, Cultures
- Standardization: A Form of Thought Control
Leadership – The Secret
- The Accountable Role Of Followers In The Leadership Process
- Trump and Hillary Showing the Lawlessness of Leadership
- With More Power Less Thinking Occurs?
- With More Power Less Empathy
- Leadership’s Secret Physical Characteristics
- Leadership, The Secret (Pt 9): Problems Defining & Studying
- Leadership, The Secret (Pt 8): Top Rule Violator
- Leadership, The Secret (Pt 7): Experts, Research & Beauty Contests
- Leadership, The Secret (Pt 6): Scientifically Unproven
- Leadership, The Secret (Pt 5): Persona
Three Key Emotional Triggers
- Emotional Triggers In Advertising, Wall Street Journal Case Study
- Three Key Emotional Triggers (Pt 5): Emotional Recognition
- Three Key Emotional Triggers (Pt 4): Novelty of Experience
- Three Key Emotional Triggers (Pt 3): Long-term Security
- Three Key Emotional Triggers (Pt 2): Three Manifestations
- Three Key Emotional Triggers
Leveraging Relationships in Communications
- Leveraging Relationships, Manipulation or Influence?
- Leverage Relationships in Conversations, A Technique (Pt 3)
- Leverage Relationships in Conversations, A Technique (Pt 2)
- Leverage Relationships in Conversations, A Technique (Pt 1)
- Leveraging Compliments in Conversations, A Technique
- Technique Personalizing Communications and Conversations
- Techniques Leveraging Relationships in Communications
Thank You
- Post 600, Thank You to the Disagreeable and Dislikeable People
- Thank You for Your Encouragement and Motivation at 500
- My 400th Post: Thank You for Your Growth and Endorsements
- My 300th Post: Thank You for Your Encouragement, Motivation
- My 200th Post: Thank You All – Again – For Your Inspiration
- My 100th Post: Thank You for Your Inspiration
Leveraging Group Interactions
Tapping the relational opportunities inherent in every group interaction we manage to mold relationships and business cultures
- Leveraging Group Interactions The Complete Strategy
- Advance Work for Positioning Group Interactions
- Leveraging Group Interactions Afterwards
- Forming and Tapping Relationships in a Group Interaction
- Encouraging More Questions in Group Interactions
- Initiating Questions and Comments in Group Interactions
- Attacking Relational Challenges in Group Interactions
- Group Interactions, the Two Types and Their Ratio
- Group Interactions, Molding Relationships and Culture
Inspirational
- Finding The Essence Of Business In A Cup Of Coffee
- The Company and Family, Their Birth Of Breaking Bread Together
- Lessons About Success And Failure From Black Panther Movie
- 5 Tips When Going Against the Tide of History
- Book of Job, Favorite in Bible
- You, Center of the Universe – Demystifying Assessments
- Work, Life are Like Heartbeats
- The One and Only One Coming Around Only Once Never Again
Feelings, Emotions, Intuition – Difference
- Emotions vs Intuition (Pt 4): Party Throwing as Example of Differences
- Emotions vs Intuition (Pt 3): Examples of Differences
- Emotions vs Intuition (Pt 2): Operational Difference
- Emotions vs Intuition (Pt 1): Conceptual Difference
- Feelings vs Emotions: The Difference
- Feelings, Emotions, Intuition And Their Differences
Practicing Safe Science
Understanding the real application of science, especially its relational aspects, so we can become better consumers of science.
Introverts and Extroverts
- Dealing with Fame, Extroverted And Introverted Differences
- Distractions Working From Home, Differences For Extroverts Introverts
- How Extroverts And Introverts Are Different in Reacting To Change
- How Extroverted and Introverted Status Seekers Differ
- Introverts and Extroverts as Builders of Our Lives
- Extroverts and Introverts Differences as Innovators
- Powerful Introverts and Extroverts and Their Effect on People
- How Introverted and Extroverted Car Drivers Differ
- Introverts and Extroverts as Speakers
- Introverts and Extroverts Working Together
Change Management Tools
- 4 Key Change Management Planning Tools
- 4 Key Analytical Tools for Change Management
- 4 Key Strategic Change Management Tools
10 Morale Builders That Don’t Cost A Cent
- 2 Final Free Morale Boosters for Work to Use Now
- Another Two Morale Builders for Employees That Don’t Cost a Cent
- Still 2 More Morale Builders for Work That Don’t Cost a Cent
- 2 More Morale Builders That Don’t Cost a Cent
- 2 Morale Builders That Don’t Cost a Cent
Challenging Assumptions
Almost all problem solving experts cite challenging assumptions as a gateway to effective problem solving. Few though actually show how to do this. Learn from one of the top Google-searched sites on challenging assumptions. This series of posts contains tips, examples and exercises that will help you become better at quickly seeing the hidden assumptions in many problems.
- 6 Challenging Assumptions Exercises From Business
- Without Question Easiest Tip To Challenge Assumptions Like A Pro
- Challenging Assumptions in Three Black and White Thinking Examples
- 3 Common Examples of Challenging Assumptions at Work
- Solving Problems by Challenging All Things Equal Assumption
- Challenging Assumptions Exercises
- Challenging Assumptions Example
- Challenging Assumptions Behind 1+1=2 As Case Study
- How Challenging Assumptions Every Day Improves Problem Solving
Big Five Personality Traits
- Conscientiousness Personality In The Workplace And On The Team
- How to Use Bad Personality Traits to Assess Personalities
- Neuroticism Personality Trait Calmed and Cooled
- Agreeableness Personality Trait Aligned And Affirmed
- Extraversion Personality Trait Exposed and Exhibited
- Conscientiousness Personality Trait Detailed and Perfected
- Openness Personality Trait Unwrapped and Uncovered
- Understanding The Big Five Personality Traits For Use At Work
Secrets About Experts
This series shares rarely discussed secrets about experts. These secrets will help people better assess the advice of experts. The problem this series seeks to address is the over-weighted influence authority figures, such as experts, have on people. For instance, research shows that the influence of authority figures is such that that it can talk people out of what they know is right and factual. In such cases, this has led people to confess falsely and to believe leaders over facts.
- Most Conspiratorial Secret About Experts That’s Hard To See
- The Most Blasphemous Secret About Experts That’s Hard To Believe
- Most Social Secret About Experts Making Them Political
- Most Defensive Truth About Experts Makes Them Dangerous
- Most Important Taboo About Experts That They Keep Secret
Undermining Truth
- Three Funny And Fun Ways To Talk That Undermine Truth
- Two Easy Conversation Tips For Undermining Truth
- Next Step to Undermining Truth, Pulling Emotional Triggers
- Undermining Truth for Gain, Two Crucial First Steps
Relationship Building Techniques
- Crash Course On Becoming A Better Conversationalist By Tomorrow
- Reflection Tip to Build Strong Relationships in Conversations
- Relationship Building Technique #7: Summarization
- Relationship Building Technique #6: Synchronization
- Relationship Building Technique #5: Encouragement
- Relationship Building Technique #4: Acknowledgement
- Relationship Building Technique #3: Pause
- Relationship Building Technique #2: Closed Questions
- Relationship Building Technique #1: Open-ended Questions
Creative Innovation
- Experts As Biggest Obstacle To Innovation, New Thinking
- Maximizing The Business Relationship Between Innovation And Creativity
- Difference Between Innovation And Creativity In Business
- Creative Innovation (Pt 15): Prototypes as Obstacles
- Creative Innovation (Pt 14): Time Alone
- Creative Innovation (Pt 13): Overcoming Biases
- Creative Innovation (Pt 12): Associative Thinking
- Creative Innovation (Pt 11): Quantification Restricts Creativity
- Creative Innovation (Pt 10): Information & Interruptions
- Creative Innovation (Pt 9): Pessimism’s Positivity
Beauty as Power
This series developed from the responses to my initial post and from my email correspondence with Ali Handscomb regarding leadership and love. Our discussion involved beauty, and Ali had some insightful questions that helped to guide me on a direction for the series.
- Beauty as Power (Pt 7): Lessons from Men’s Movements
- Beauty as Power (Pt 6): Sexual Business Strategy
- The Defensiveness Beauty Triggers At Work Shows Its Power
- Beauty as Power (Pt 4): Subliminal Influence
- Beauty as Power (Pt 3): Appreciation
- Beauty as Power (Pt 2): Attraction vs. Beauty
- Beauty as Power
Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People
This series evolved from my work experiences; however, its significance as a collection of techniques did not hit me until a recent opportunity. They had such a profound effect on this person that the results inspired me to codify the approach and techniques.
- Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People (Pt 9): Oak & Apple Trees
- Emotional Self Defense Regarding Decision Making For Sensitive People
- Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People (Pt 7): Team Intelligence
- Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People (Pt 6): Defeatism & Courage
- Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People (Pt 5): Intimidation
- Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People (Pt 4): Talent
- Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People (Pt 3): Self-Awareness
- Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People (Pt 2): The Unconscious
- Emotional Self-defense for Sensitive People (Pt 1): Awareness
Change Management Tips
This series came about after reading The Hot Spotters, by Atul Gawande in the January 24, 2011 issue of The New Yorker. Even though it spoke primarily to minimizing medical costs, it had much relevancy to my experiences in effecting change. It mentioned five change tactics which I expanded into including more as different posts.
- How to Succeed at Culture Change Management
- Change Management – Tactic #8: Management by Walking Around
- Setting The Mood For Change As A Change Management Tactic
- Time Management Of Employees During Change Management
- Change Management – Tactic #5: Request Demonstration
- Change Management – Tactic #4: Repetitiveness
- Change Management – Tactic #3: Break Into Small, Simple Steps
- Change Management – Tactic #2: Strengthen Relationships
- Change Management – Tactic #1: Pick the Right Moment
Emotional Intelligence vs. Intuition
- Emotional Intelligence vs. Intuition (Pt 6): Music Analogy
- Emotional Intelligence vs. Intuition (Pt 5): Group vs. Individual
- Emotional Intelligence vs. Intuition (Pt 4): Conscious vs. Unconscious
- Emotional Intelligence vs. Intuition (Pt 3): Problem Solving
- Emotional Intelligence vs. Intuition (Pt 2): Distinct as Head and Heart
- Emotional Intelligence vs. Intuition: The Difference
Over Thinking Decisions
- Over Thinking Decisions (Pt 3): Antidote
- Over Thinking Decisions (Pt 2): Warning Signs
- DANGER! Over Thinking Decisions
Education Bias
- Education Bias (Pt 5): Understanding vs. Appreciation
- Education Bias (Pt 3): Leadership Over Knowledge
- Why More Information And Education Don’t Solve Problems
- Problems With Asking “Do You Understand?”
Placebo Management
- Coronavirus, Employee Productivity And The Power Of Caring
- Using The Placebo Effect To Your Advantage In Leadership
- Difference between Doing Good and Being Good at Work
- Better Bedside Manner, Lower Malpractice Risk
- Planning and Developing Employees’ Confidence
- Placebo Management (Pt 5): Emotions, Health, Performance
- Placebo Management (Pt 4): Tiger, Golfers, Superstitions & Performance
- Management Tips From Changing Taste Using Stories
- Placebo Management (Pt 2): Tapping Emotions
- Placebo Management: Impacting Employees’ Beliefs
Leadership vs. Management: The Difference
This series began when I read on the Harvard Business Review site the posting “True Leaders Are Also Managers” by Robert I. Sutton, Professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. It blossomed from the initial post because I received questions and a high number of visitations. I take an intuitive perspective incorporating change, emotions and informal power.
- Key To Telling Leaders And Managers Apart In Any Workplace
- Aligned Leadership And The Leadership vs Management Debate
- Leadership vs. Management: The Difference (Part V)
- Leadership vs. Management: The Difference (Part IV)
- Leadership vs. Management: The Difference (Part III)
- Leadership vs. Management: The Difference (Part II)
- Leadership versus Management and Their Difference
Cooperation vs. Self-interest
- What’s In It For Me Under Attack By Nobel Prize Winner
- How Altruism in Groups Plays Out Against Self-interest
- Cooperation vs. Self-interest (Pt 6): Incentives & Rats
- Cooperation vs. Self-interest (Pt 5): Humans vs. Apes
- Cooperation vs. Self-interest (Pt 4): Intrinsic Rewards
- Cooperation vs. Self-interest (Pt 3): Empathy
- Cooperation vs. Self-interest (Pt 2): Context – The Great Influencer
- Cooperation vs. Self-interest: Which Reigns Supreme?
Real-time Personality Assessment
- Cars And Personality Types, Case Study On What Possessions Tell Us
- Assessing Personalities From Music People Like To Hear
- Assess Personality Traits with this Listening Game
- Who Are the Always Late Personality Types?
- When They Talk About Us It’s Them
- Real-time Personality Assessment (Pt 4): Extrapolation
- Real-time Personality Assessment (Pt 3): Word Themes
- Real-time Personality Assessment (Pt 2): Important Qualities
- Black Bark: Real-time Personality Assessment Example
- “Which Box Do You Want to be In?” Personality Assessment Case Study
Patience’s Merits
- Business Examples of Patience’s Merits (Pt 2): Ethical Behavior
- Business Examples of Patience’s Merits
- A Blue Heron Instructs on Patience
Change Management Strategy
- Change Management, The Secret (Pt 2): Minority Power
- Change Management, The Secret
- Change Management Strategy #6: Company Life Cycle
- Change Management Strategy #5: Two Pictures of Change
- Change Management Strategy #4: Change Jobs, Reduce Tenure
- Change Management Strategy #3: Keywords
- Change Management Strategy #2: Celebrate Anniversaries
- The Strategy Of Organizing For Successful Change Management
Sun Tzu Top 7
- Top Seven Sun Tzu Quotes: #2 Integration, Holism
- Top Seven Sun Tzu Quotes: #3 Positioning
- Top Seven Sun Tzu Quotes: #4 Change
- Top Seven Sun Tzu Quotes: #5 Speed in Decision Making
- Top Seven Sun Tzu Quotes: #6 Seeking Victory
- Top Seven Sun Tzu Quotes: #7 Effective Orders
- Best Sun Tzu Quote: Pinnacle of Skill
Intelligence vs Wisdom
Psychopaths in Workplace
- Difference Between Narcissists And Psychopaths
- Self-Regulated Psychopath, Implications for Emotional Intelligence (Pt 2)
- Empathetic Psychopaths, Implications for Emotional Intelligence (Pt 1)
- Working with Psychopaths
- How Psychopaths Become CEO’s (Pt 5) – Relational Preferences
- How Psychopaths Become CEO’s (Pt 4) – Preferred Cultures
- How Psychopaths Become CEO’s (Pt 3) – Preferred Trends
- How Psychopaths Become CEO’s (Pt 2) – Situational Preferences
- How Psychopaths Become CEO’s (Pt 1) – Introduction
- Identifying Psychopaths in the Workplace
Why Problems Occur
- Eight Alerts Help Us Anticipate Problems
- Why Problems Occur (Alert #8): Demarcation over Gradient
- Why Problems Occur (Alert #7): One over Many
- Why Problems Occur (Alert #6): Same over Unique
- Why Problems Occur (Alert #5): Big over Small
- Why Problems Occur (Alert #4): Known over Unknown
- Why Problems Occur (Alert #3): Majority over Minority
- Why Problems Occur (Alert #2): Immediate over Enduring
- Why Problems Occur (Alert #1): Easy over Difficult