by Franklin Wordsmith | Sep 22, 2020 | Culture, Persuasion
Moving Beyond the Blame Game I was doing leadership communication coaching with a president—let’s call him Jim—who was the heir apparent at a large company. He had a love/hate relationship with the chairman—let’s call him Ted. Jim would spend a good portion of our...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Jun 30, 2020 | Neuroscience
Take the Bad News Quiz and Find Out The CEO of an industrial parts manufacturer told me about a previous job he held: leading an Italian subsidiary for a Fortune 500 firm. He said it was the most frustrating post in his career. “I was there to turn around a division...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Aug 26, 2019 | Neuroscience
OK: I’m a snob.For years I’ve shaken my head at the “just think happy thoughts and everything will be fine” people.My usual comeback has been, “I don’t believe sitting in my office and thinking happy thoughts is going to make my phone ring with new opportunities.”Do...
by Franklin Wordsmith | Jul 9, 2019 | Neuroscience
Here’s a truth about me. I was very disconnected from my feelings growing up.Later, my joke was that, when it came to emotions, I experienced a seven-second delay: just like live TV and radio. Something would happen, and I’d ask, “What would a normal person feel in...
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...
