What does confidence have to do with simplicity and influence? To answer that question let’s take each element in reverse order. Influence In order to gain influence, we must earn the trust of those with whom we are interacting. Trust … Continued
Change is messy and always comes at a cost, but desire and confidence can make dealing with the mess and the cost easier. Messy Change is messy; it’s disruptive. We’re thrown off balance by attractive ideas for change. We suffer … Continued
In two recent experiences where long-time vendors disappointed me, I found the magic words needed to get the result I want while retaining a long-term relationship. The words are “You’re better than that.” Background As I stated earlier, I’ve had … Continued
The 2020 election is unique in that it’s the first election in my lifetime where we’re not electing an individual or a party platform, we’re choosing the culture we want. Never has the contrast been more dramatic. On one end … Continued
While watching both parties’ national conventions I was struck by how blinding beliefs can be. I heard speakers from both parties expound half truths and, in some instances, flat out lies. In the Republican convention, with its live audiences, we … Continued
Alignment with others based on common goals, values, behaviors and characteristics does not mean that we’re intolerant. Indeed, personal, professional and societal growth demand that we align ourselves with those like us while remaining tolerant of opposing views and beliefs. … Continued
In her book, A Woman of No Importance, the author, Sonia Purnell, cites the heroine as an example of “How women can step out of the construct of conventional femininity to defy all the stereotypes, if only they are given … Continued
‘Free” choice is a myth. Every choice we make has a cost associated with it. At the very least, that cost is what we’ve foregone in the choice we’ve made. At the other end of the spectrum, the cost of … Continued
I almost fell into the bias trap. As my confidence has grown, I’ve learned to critically challenge my own thinking. In this instance, it prevented me from allowing a personal bias from sending an erroneous message. Background A friend, who … Continued
Contentment and other people’s perceptions are two essential elements of confidence. Contentment Until a person is content with what they’ve achieved, they’ll never be content with anything they accomplish in the future. That’s sad because the person will never feel … Continued