There are some things that once you see, you just can’t un-see. Your view of the world changes. However, you can’t just see these things. You have to be personally exposed to them through more than just seeing before you can really see them. And it’s important to acknowledge that…
Orbiting the Orbit: On Tour Again
A couple of months ago the Webster Hall music venue reopened in New York City. As a relatively new arrival to the city, I’m not an expert on the city’s nightlife history, but I know although it’s not in the same category as the likes of CBGBs, Webster Hall is…
Talking to Humans: Go anonymous
“praise by name, criticize by category.” Warren Buffett Or to put it another way: Praise Specifically, Criticize Generally When it comes to telling our personal stories to a group we’re working with, there are some situations where we can use this same principle to build rapport and decrease the distance….
Talking to Humans: No intro, no get-go
The value of the introduction when you’re running workshops, leading a class, or doing most types of speaking to an audience Skip your introduction and something happens. At least some of your audience will sense something’s out of kilter. Perhaps you have a name tag, or said hello to some…
I don’t do name tags
The other night I went to an information event for a program I’d registered interest in. It was held in a conference room at a sleek building in Midtown Manhattan; the type of place where the gunmetal elevator zooms you straight up to the 40th floor in the blink of…
Fear, Envy, and Contempt
These are three powerful feelings. They show up in many areas of our lives. Here are a few examples. Finding a job Fear of being an imposter. Envy at the ones already getting hired. Contempt for having to grind through a job selection process. Aiming for a promotion Fear of…
Group Dynamics: Sitting in Circle
If you’ve spent any time in coaching, meditation, education, mediation, or consulting you may have heard the phrase or performed the activity of sitting in circle. At its simplest, a group comes together to share ideas and experiences on a particular topic. And they do so sitting in a circle….
What was it like?
When someone describes an experience, we may hear ourselves asking ‘What was it like?’. We’re being curious, taking an interest. Asking to find out more. Or at least trying to be polite. What if it wasn’t like anything? What if you get put on the spot and can’t find the…
The important thing before on-boarding
It’s not just about what happens once they’re on board and the vessel is setting sail. It’s not just about the on-boarding rituals that occur once they’ve arrived at the place of departure and they’re beginning to assimilate into the culture of how we do things here. It’s also about…
Learnings from the other side of an accelerator program
In the Spring of 2018, I was approached about collaborating on a new project being presented by New York City’s Department of Small Business Services and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. The project came about from the City looking to further their support to creative businesses. Media &…