We’ve all been there at one time or another. A colleague leaves work early. Your child shouts at you. Your partner doesn’t meet one of your needs. In some way, you don’t appreciate their actions. The person’s behavior just doesn’t work for you. When that happens, do you have the courage to tell that person
Every day, a person walks by a house, and every day there’s a dog howling on the front porch. Every day. Howling. A man sits next to the dog on the porch, calmly rocking in a chair. Finally one day, the passerby stops. “Why does your dog howl every day?” “Because he’s lying on a
Are you dealing with relationship tension or conflict this holiday season? Feeling bitter or resentful toward anyone? Consider, just for a moment, that there may be another side to the story you’re telling yourself. Here’s an example: A client recently hired me to coach their leadership team, a process that started with me interviewing each
I paced nervously behind the stage. In a few moments, I would be expected to deliver a presentation at our annual company conference. A voice in my head warned me, over and over again: Do not get on that stage. The warnings triggered physical alerts: A quickened pulse. Short, shallow breaths. Tightened muscles. Ten years
This time of year, I love to watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” where I affirm my admiration for Lucy van Pelt. She’s clever and direct as she operates her children’s psychiatric booth, offering psychoanalysis for a nickel to her anxious friends. This makes her the only friend in Peanuts that other kids open up to.
It’s not easy to get others to want to work with you. In fact, it’s harder than you might think. Plenty of people have to work with you for a variety of reasons — you’re on the same team, they need your support, you’re selling what they need. So they’re going to be cordial, tolerant,
Two months ago, at the beginning of our company’s calendar year, I wrote a plan to make this the most intentional work year of my life. Our team had affirmed our mission, vision, values, and strategy. And with the help of others, I identified the “work goals” that would lead me on the fastest path
My adolescence thoroughly trained me in the art of hurtful humor. The boys at my school, like everywhere, often reverted to slapstick or funny jabs at the expense of others. Most of us weren’t clever enough to do anything else. You learned to dish it and you learned to take it. Hey John! What do
Think of a recent example of interpersonal conflict in your life that did not go well. If you’re like most people, conflict can often lead to resentment and frustration. After all, it’s only natural to power up or shut down when conflict arises. We see it all the time in society. And, it’s in our
The pressure to perform is always there. Only one vendor wins the contract. Only one person gets elected. In any number of day-to-day situations, you’re competing for resources, attention, or recognition. For my son, it’s his tennis ranking. He loves tennis, and he loves to compete. The fact that the USTA publishes weekly rankings for
Matt Norman is president of Norman & Associates, which offers Dale Carnegie Training in the North Central US. Dale Carnegie Training is a global organization ...READ MORE