May 26, 2009Kid Poison Phrase: I’ll run get help in case you get hurt
The Detective Mom knows a Poison Phrase when she hears one. Her latest post tells the tale about how she overheard her daughter’s friend say,
- Okay, try it from here. I’ll stand over here so I can run and get help if you get hurt.
It turned out the friend was trying to get her to jump from the top of the basement stairs.
The post is titled, “Sometimes you just don’t wanna know.” In good SpeakStrong fashion, however, her post makes it clear that the osterich approach just doesn’t work. You may think you don’t want to know, but you do.
May 23, 2009This Week: Why I love my husband’s very dumb jokes
My husband is telling some very dumb jokes, and it makes my heart happy. I used to dismiss his jokes because they are dumb. (He would be the first to agree with that characterization.) Now I delight in the happy heart behind his playfulness. He likes it that I enjoy his jokes.
We like people who laugh at our jokes – which is one reason why I so enjoyed my keynote with Federally Employed Women (DFEB) last week. I knew I was funny, but I didn’t realize I was THAT funny! The last time I had such a responsive audience it was at a Women in Military conference. Hmm…is there a theme here?
I found a surprising way into my husband’s heart, and DFEB found thier way into mine. So many thanks!
May 22, 2009Poison Phrase from Detective Mom: My teacher got me in trouble
Here’s a Poison Phrase from Detective Mom.
-My teacher got me in trouble today form not having my science book.
The Detective Mom detected a lack of accountability in his words. The words we choose do signal how we think.
May 22, 2009Quick Tip Detective Mom Learns art of small talk from child
Have you ever struggled for words to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know? The Detective Mom gets her cues from her eight year old daughter. http://bit.ly/2REXBw
When you read the post, you’ll see her daughter shares a little information about what she likes, and then asks her friend about his preferences.
Simple – yes. The best tips are. I elaborate on a simliar appraoch (for adults) in PowerPhrases!.
May 20, 2009Poison Phrase? Colleague http://twitter.com/dmscott
In a recent blog post, New Rules PR expert David Meerman Scott lists the “Dear Colleague” salutation as one of his pet peeves . His take? “I am not your colleague.” “Either say “Dear David” or leave the salutation out.” He…and I want to know – is he being too picky?
His post commenters agree with him. Your thoughts?
It might be time for me to create a top ten salutation poison phrase list to add to my existing top ten Poison Phrase pet peeves list
May 20, 2009Quick Tip: Easier to edit than create
When my hubby and I visited netflix site, he offered very little input on what he wanted to see. However, when I brought home a list or recommended movies from the library, he circled the ones he wanted to see at his leisure. We now have a netflix queue that suits us both.
It reminds me of the administrative assistant wisdom – it’s easier to edit than create. Make it easy for others to offer input and you’re more likely to get it.
May 19, 2009Quote “You can pressure people into compliance, but you can’t pressure them into agreement.”
May 18, 2009This Week: Good times, advice, mind program book launch
I had a fabulous week. I found out nurses love the show House, nurses love my Power Phrases and I love nurses.
I found out my Dad, who can’t see or hear much, is still very alive and vibrant. And fun to be around. My Dad is from Iceland and I wanted him to talk about his childhood, so I fed him fish. It worked. I asked him about his dreams. Fascinating. Ask your aging parents what they dream about and enjoy the ride.
I found out what it’s like to work with an experienced web training development specialist. She organized my thinking and brought new, great ideas to the table. Thanks, Dixie.
There is a lively discussion about unsolicited advice on the blog.
“If you feel manipulated, assume you are and leave. Then do you analysis.” Book launch.
The above is a quote from Robert Cialdini in Eldon Taylor’s new book Mind Programming. Persuasion, propaganda and developing consciousness fascinate me, which is why I agreed to join a launch campaign for Taylor’s new book. You’ll find what I have to say about Mind Programming here, and the promotion is here.
I’m also reading The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I will have much more to say about it in weeks to come.
May 18, 2009Kids PowerPhrase: questions for the doctor
Malcolm Gladwell writes about the power of teaching kids to SpeakStrong (not in those words) in his latest book, The Outliers. He referred to a parent who told her nine-year-old son to:
- Think of what questions you want to ask the doctor.
Her instruction taught her son to determine his needs, have an opinion and ask for what he wanted. In the treatment room, the boy asked questions, corrected the doctor’s assumptions, and took responsibility for the success of the exam. Gladwell observed that the doctor visit was a lesson in empowerment and getting needs met. Empower your kids to SpeakStrong too.
May 18, 2009Poison Phrase: You didn’t ask for pain-killer
The nurse told Janet that her surgery called for pain killer every four hours. What she didn’t tell her was that Janet had to ask to get it. Janet had assumed from the comment that painkiller was an automatic part of the treatment.
After an agonizing night, the doctor explained,
- We didn’t give you pain killer because you didn’t ask for pain killer.
The irony was that Janet actually worked at the hospital where she received surgery, and she still had a painful communication breakdown. Her experience was an eye-opener for her. You many think your point is obvious, but if others don’t get your message, clarify.
