In a sense, self-centered behavior is normal. If people tend to act in self-interest, how do WE deal with that, and get THEM to think beyond themselves? Take a couple minutes to hear Matt and Alan address this. Previous posts on this topic: Four levels of maturity Four-way stops Dealing with your own tendencies
A couple weeks ago, I shared the Quantum Apology Formula. Two days ago, someone asked “Yeah, but what if your apology isn’t accepted?” The short answer is: It’s mostly on them. They have to stay “above the line” or “out of the box” to accept. However, only YOU control YOU, so you can’t make someone accept. … Read more
Dear friend, fellow educator, and previous guest blogger Matt Pries likes to share the following model, with is derived from the Quantum Learning school of thought: AcknowledgeApologizeMake it RightRecommit A mnemonic to recall this AAMR model is “All About My Relationships.” And it works. Teach this to others as an antidote to those empty “sorry” … Read more
Everyone works through grief and the aftermath of trauma in their own way. Some of us have had success navigating stages of grief, and others have dealt with tragedy in their own, unclassifiable way. It feels safe to say that everyone is different, and everyone ought to be regarded with patience. Sometimes, leaders can be … Read more
This is a “rerun” from last year; some events of the last month have convinced me to share it anew: We’re just a couple weeks from the Winter Solstice, the shortest darkest day of the year. A contrast to the holiday season, it can exacerbate hidden internal sadness in those around us. I love Christmas … Read more
I ate in a London pub with a group once, and the server made a mistake when calculating the bill. Unfortunately, he didn’t believe us, and our argument kept escalating. I got a little, um, animated myself. He was in the wrong (I have witnesses), but now he had a service issue with an obviously … Read more
Four-way stops are easy, right? Stop, then take your turn after everyone else has gone. Is it a tie? Person on the right goes first. Easy. No problem. Does everyone totally adhere to The Rules of the Four Way Stop? I bet they think they do. But you’ve seen these… -The “rolling stopper”…-The one on … Read more
In an earlier post, I wrote about the value of picking up the phone to ask for help, information, or other assistance from fellow professionals. On the other side of things, what do you do when you get that call? Share. Abundantly. In my former profession, many of us Iowa band directors worked toward the … Read more
A few weeks ago, I shared an unusual incident involving an appliance installer, and the Facebook discussion after I shared it online. After the post, there was a bit more discussion, and I also finally offered my thoughts on the issue. This week, I’ll share that “coda.” Some of asked how it turned out – … Read more
We’re just a few days past the Winter Solstice, the shortest darkest day of the year. A contrast to the holiday season, it can exacerbate hidden internal sadness in those around us. I love Christmas music. But not all of it at the same level of love. I prefer minor keys, obscure pieces, and bleak … Read more