As the self-proclaimed ‘Godfather of Networking’, I’ve often quoted John Naisbitt, author of ‘MegaTrends’ in my articles and presentations. He initially coined the phrase over 35 years ago and his definition still works today in the age of high tech and social media. Funny thing – everything old is new again. So, let’s all learn something old from the master.
Quote-ables
Definition of Success
At the excellent BizConCle last month sponsored by Cleveland’s Council of Smaller Enterprises, one of the main stage speakers asked us all for our definition of success. Mine was short and simple – Do what you love … love what you do … and be good enough at it to support the life you’ve chosen.’ … Read more
Even More ‘Stellar Wisdom’
I so appreciate the positive reader reaction about sharing my own ’Quote-ables’ based on over 35 years of workplace communication practitioner experience. Enjoy this month’s trio … Do what you love and love what you do. All the rest is just details. Plan your work, then work your plan. Your customers are not always right, … Read more
More ‘Stellar’ Wisdom
Looks like sharing some of my favorite ‘pearls of wisdom’ in last month’s ‘Quote-ables’ was a hit, based on reader comments. So … here’s another helping from my practitioner perspective:
‘Stellar’ Wisdom
Readers generally like ‘Quote-ables’ – the pearls of wisdom about communication I share from past generations, famous people and business leaders. But recently, a reader indicated she was also interested in what contemporary communication practitioners … like me … had to say based on our everyday experience.
20th Century Treasures
We can learn a lot about communicating from those who lived and worked in the 20th century. ‘The great thing about human language is that it prevents us from sticking to the matter at hand.’ John Maynard Keynes (1883 – 1946), British author and influential economist. ‘No one has a finer command of language than … Read more
Everything Old Is New Again
What can we learn from the ancients about contemporary communication challenges? Lots! By words the mind is winged. – Aristophanes, (450 BC – 388 BC) Greek playwright. An angry man opens his mouth and shuts his eyes. – Cato the Elder (234 BC -149 BC) Roman senator and historian. Words have a longer life than … Read more
The Art of Conversation
Let’s see what some contemporary American experts think about the Art of Conversation: ‘You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.’ – Dale Carnegie, writer, lecturer and self-improvement expert. ‘Most people do not listen … Read more
The Greeks Got Communication
Everything I know about communication I learned from the classic Greeks. ‘We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.’ Epictetus (AD 55 – 135), philosopher and teacher. ‘Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.‘ Plato (428 … Read more
The Ancients Valued Silence
Keep silent for the most part, speak only when you must, and then briefly. Epictetus (AD 55 – 135), Greek philosopher and teacher He is nearest to the gods who knows how to be silent. Cato the Elder (234 BC – 149 BC), Roman senator and historian Often silence is the wisest thing for a … Read more