How the Navy Seals Increased Passing Rates
It was 10 PM, pitch black and I was in the middle of the woods in North Carolina. My job was simple. I had to erect a 30 foot antennae that would be used to gather radio transmissions so our artillery...
View ArticleMaking Success Unconscious
We slapped hands, as is customary before a grappling session. His demeanor was calm and he gave no indication when we were talking earlier that he was ultra-aggressive. We postured for a brief second,...
View ArticleCrowds & Behavior - Why did I do that?
I recently read an old article, by Tom Wolfe, about two studies that dealt with animals and overcrowding. The first was John Calhoun's study of...read more
View ArticleUnavoidable Persuasion - Almost!
As I entered the hallway that leads to my office, I saw him sitting there. He hadn't been present in class for a few weeks, but here he was waiting for me before my office hours began. I entered my...
View Article365 Day Project – Explode Your Potential - Goals & New Years Resolutions
In further discussing goals, I would like to discuss Dan Ariely (behavioral economist) and Yale professor, Jiwoong Shin's, work. Their study, Door Game, points out a major factor in the pursuit of...
View ArticleThe Power of Positive Immersion – Is your Environment Right for You?
Daniel Coyle, author of the Talent Code, went on a quest to find out why some people seem to develop massive levels of talent while others do not. His major thesis was...read more
View ArticleYou Owe Me! - The Importance of Positive Contributions
Each of us has a meter inside, where we consciously or unconsciously measure the balance of give and take that exists in our relationships. Whether dealing with business or social relationships or with...
View ArticleWhat's Your Hook Value?
On a slightly more serious note, why are people attracted to you? What makes people want to work or conduct business with you? Why would people want to become a part of your inner circle or you to...
View ArticleRecognizing when you're in the Pros!
As I sat reading Nate's accomplishments I was amazed. I contemplated that we often can't fathom what the people we know are capable of and what it took for Nate to achieve that level of proficiency and...
View ArticleDo You Have a Team?
Why attempt solo that which could be better achieved with the help of others?read more
View ArticleFear and a Strange Man in the Elevator
Gavin de Becker, in his book, Gift of Fear, writes about trusting your instincts and what the consequences are if you do not. Becker describes numerous cases where people who were victimized initially...
View ArticlePersonal Space - How violating unspoken rules can lead to chaos - at least...
It is a scene that you would least likely expect to see in a supermarket. But it happened. When grocery shopping or just picking up a couple of things from the store, the mission is usually to just go...
View ArticleAndre Agassi's "Hot Water Courage"
Andre Agassi in his book, Open, described a ritual he performed before every tennis match in order to prepare for ‘battle.' He would take a shower and...read more
View ArticleThe Science of Confidence
What do we do when faced with the task of building up others? After accepting this responsibility we are no longer the coached, a mentee, the counseled or the reader seeking knowledge. At this stage...
View ArticleWhy do we always pick on the New Guy?
As an adult being the new guy (or gal) takes on an entirely different meaning. The craziness of childhood bullying goes away and is often replaced by passive aggressive workplace behavior from...
View ArticleThe Law of Diminishing Returns - Or Overdoing it
Recently my wife and I moved from the suburbs to the city so I could be closer to college where I work. I had the misfortune of being stuck in traffic for two hours on the way to work the previous...
View ArticleWhy “The Karate Kid” is all about being the New Kid!
It's the classic scenario. You are the new kid in the neighborhood and you've made friends quickly. The ‘move' isn't starting to seem so bad after all. There's even a cute ‘someone' who has taken an...
View ArticleGlee Club – Results Oriented vs. Process Oriented Approaches
What stands out for me on Glee is that character Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch. Although most likely new to most of the Glee audience she has been a regular in guy movies and TV shows such as The...
View ArticleDeliberate Practice – Pt. 1: Knowing exactly what you want
When people develop the desire to excel, the natural assumption is that devoting a huge amount of time and effort to their goal is the way to achieve excellence. Yet, how many of us have devoted a lot...
View ArticleCultivation Theory: Do News Reports Affect Your Worldview?
As a child I knew that my grandmother and I perceived the world differently. As she grew older and became more homebound that difference expanded even more. She viewed the 'world' as more violent,...
View ArticleSocial Networks - What do people get out of knowing you?
What I often find missing in a lot of discussions concerning social networks is a focus on how the individual can affect his network for positive change. In other words, many of us often ask how...read...
View ArticlePlanning Fallacy: Being realistic about how much time you have
In the book, A Mind of its Own, one of the subjects Cordelia Fine, Ph.D., discussed is people’s tendency to credit themselves for successfully completing tasks, but not recognizing their role in their...
View ArticleWhy We Act Out of Character
As I walked up the stairway to the second floor I could hear shouting on the outside corridor. The voice was definitely from a woman and it was loud and full of anger. Then I heard a second voice, just...
View ArticleWhen you communicate – are you memorable?
After I delivered the presentation to my students, the following Monday, they applauded at the end of the lecture. I was stunned. I felt as if I was in a scene from Dead Poet's Society or...read more
View ArticleSpreading Ideas – What role do you play?
Recently, I attended a family gathering. As friends were welcome, a lot of people were in attendance. I knew it was going to be an all day affair so I brought my Kindle. Little did I know that I would...
View ArticleRole Theory - It’s never too late to change
This weekend, 48 year old Herschel Walker defeated Scott Carson in a professional Mixed Martial Arts bout. It was Walker's second fight and second victory. It is not amazing that...read more
View ArticleHow to Handle a PR Crisis: Kobe Bryant, the Lakers, and the NBA
The purpose of this article is not to criticize Kobe Bryant for his outburst. I would be a hypocrite if I were to act as if I have never used foul language or called someone a name while playing a...
View ArticleLeBron James exposes how you view the world
LeBron James's naysayers and supporters each believe they are right, but what are they choosing to experience when it comes to James?read more
View ArticleChange the Story!
All day we are in unceasing conversations with ourselves. We tell ourselves who we are, what we should do, how we should respond and what our mission is. This intrapersonal communication governs our...
View ArticleThe Role of Anticipatory Communication in Conversation
We use anticipatory communication skills all the time without knowing it. When people watch the latest episode of a show they barely like so they won't be left out of a conversation with friends or...
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