The current rhetoric for war, cynicism and violence gives a graphic demonstration that poor tone can be acquired. In much the same way as consistent practice will literally alter your DNA, we’ve hardwired our nation against peace. The brain shapes and changes itself based on your daily actions. Abusive tone,… Read more »
The Chilean mine rescue last week underscored talent, teamwork, and takeaway lessons of hope to fuel brainpowered innovation. Chile’s unprecedented operation illustrated five brainpowered tools that build and sustain hope to the finish line in impossible situations! 1. Question, what if … and hope will convert brainpower into winning answers. … Read more »
Fear, not surprisingly, bombards workplaces and lowers innovation brainpower, as does frustration or the watch-your-back syndrome. Whether it comes face-to-face or through Facebook, tone drives organizational innovation up or down. Unfortunately, when caustic communication rubs against brainpowered innovation, caustic usually wins. You’ve likely noticed how toxic trumps ingenious in some… Read more »
Luckily we can overcome our brain’s default for ruts that foster poor tone as evidenced in many conflicts – to create instead – tone for an innovative world order forward. 1. Affirm another person’s thoughts before sharing your views on the other side – to show that you really heard,… Read more »
You may find it interesting to discover that one can flick on a molecular brainpower switch, and disengage innovations. It’s done daily – any time – any where. Handy to know? Perhaps for those who’ll snipe at change-agents this week, before they lead others forward. How so? Here are 5… Read more »
People differ on what innovation looks like, and few agree on how it transforms work. Hutch Carpenter asked 25 people to tell what innovation is from their perspective – and got back 25 different responses. Most people do agree that innovation sparks higher productivity for a competitive edge. Any marks… Read more »
If you agree that democracy as we deem it – can make a mockery of human engagement – you likely also see value in facilitation that communicates across differences. Few disagree that a well run democracy adds immense brainpower by raising worker engagement. Yet Gallop Management Journal surveyed annual worker… Read more »
(Appeared in Smart Brief on Your Career on April 22, 2010) (Appeared in (Practicing Law Institute) PLI Smart Brief April23,2010). See innovative meetings e-handbook here for dozens of practical strategies that bring meetings alive where you work. When bullies pop an irate question or cynics insist on opinions that provoke… Read more »
Who’d guess that mere facial expressions at a meeting can limit or enhance everybody’s takeaway. We saw it in action last night at the State of the Union Address, where some participants grimaced at most of the President’s speech, and refused to participate in anything but naysaying, and cynicism. See… Read more »
It happens faster than you can wrap your head around replies, much less pause for peaceful solutions. Tonic or toxin? Poor tone shoots poison at others, and often wings back in the same form it was sent. Politicians, like Senator Bayh, quit Congress over tone toxins. Have you seen it… Read more »
