by Franklin Wordsmith | May 2, 2017 | Leadership
My last boss asked, “How am I doing as a supervisor?”When people ask a direct question, I respond in kind.“You have my favorite quality in a boss! You don’t hover over my shoulder and second-guess me. But what’s hard is that whenever I have a question – no matter how...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Mar 28, 2017 | Culture, Persuasion
It happens to us all.We spend a lot of time crafting that compelling message — to be delivered in person or in print — and it gets a ho-hum reaction.Our first instinct is to look around at other people or situations to blame. (It can’t be us, right?...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Feb 26, 2017 | Leadership
After having a temper tantrum, my nearly three-year-old grandson Wyatt looked up and said, “I just had a fit!”I must admit: hearing about “authenticity” gives me one.It’s a trick of my brain. Say “authenticity” to me, and I hear “synergy.” Or “core competency.” Or...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Sep 15, 2016 | Culture, Persuasion
Maybe you’re like me. You’d rather do it yourself – in part, because you don’t want to ask for something and be turned down. Or owe someone something. Or a million and one other rationalizations for avoiding something that frightens you. But you’re also smart enough...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Aug 9, 2016 | Culture, Persuasion
I can think my case for why a client should change a speech to make it more interesting to his audience makes this a no-brainer. But sometimes he still won’t do it.Before we start mumbling about clients having all of the money and none of the sense, it’s time to look...