How often do you take calls from numbers you do not recognize? How often do you feel obligated to reply to an email simply because someone sent it to you? Most people have the phone numbers of people they regularly talk to or want to talk to in their phone or address book. So, when that calls come in without caller ID or without matching one of hundreds of phone numbers you already have, why take the call? Unless you’re in a role or profession that requires fielding these calls, why not let the call go to voicemail and phone back when convenient for you? If you take an unsolicited call when you do not need to, you’re simply letting the caller dictate your schedule. What about the unsolicited email you get? I’m not talking about email from people you want or need to correspond with or spam, but all…
I just finished reading the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, a wonderful, albeit lengthy, account of Grant’s military endeavors. In several scenes I was struck by the respect…
Wondering how strong a significant relationship at home or work really is? Here’s a quick gauge: How comfortable are you saying difficult things? If you shy or run…
I have a lot of conversations about tools that I or others find useful, whether products, books, videos, sites or services. In an effort to condense and consolidate the…
What separates mediocre service from service worth telling others about? Isn’t it doing whatever you can for your customers v. doing what you must? A “must” perspective is inherently…
Every Sunday evening or Monday morning I pause for 5-10 minutes to plan out the week ahead. Over the years I have used a variety of methods, but…
What happens when conflict emerges around you? Do you avoid or ignore it or do you lean in? Regardless of the source or catalyst, the most effective leaders know…
Late one evening as I drove back into Austin some field lights shinning brightly off the road caught my attention. The location was peculiar. I did not think…
Anyone who has been to Chick-Fil-A and muttered a “thank you” has heard an employee reply, “It’s my pleasure.” Sure, they train and require everyone to say it, but it…
