Category Archives: Quote-ables

Naisbitt on Networking

By Phil Stella | Published: December 9, 2017

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. Read More »

Definition of Success

By Phil Stella | Published: November 1, 2017

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.’

What’s your definition of success?

Even More ‘Stellar Wisdom’

By Phil Stella | Published: October 9, 2017

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 …

  1. Do what you love and love what you do. All the rest is just details.
  2. Plan your work, then work your plan.
  3. Your customers are not always right, but they are always your Customers. So, take good care of them by meeting their reasonable expectations and make a profit doing it.

And in case someone asks ‘Says who?’ …

Phil Stella, 21st century executive presentation coach, author and professional speaker

More ‘Stellar’ Wisdom

By Phil Stella | Published: September 4, 2017

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: Read More »

‘Stellar’ Wisdom

By Phil Stella | Published: August 3, 2017

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. Read More »

20th Century Treasures

By Phil Stella | Published: July 3, 2017

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 the person who keeps his mouth shut.’ Robert Benchley (1889 – 1945), American humorist, columnist and film actor.

‘Do not accustom yourself to use big words for little matters.’ Sam Rayburn (1882 – 1961), American politician and longest-serving Speaker of the House of Representatives.


 

Everything Old Is New Again

By Phil Stella | Published: June 6, 2017

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 deeds. – Pindar, (522 BC – 443BC) Greek lyric poet.

The Art of Conversation

By Phil Stella | Published: March 1, 2017

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 with the intent to understand. They listen with the intent to reply.’ – Stephen Covey, educator, author and motivational speaker.

‘The mark of a good conversationalist is not that you can talk a lot. The mark is that you can get others to talk a lot. Thus, good schmoozers are good listeners, not good talkers.’ – Guy Kawasaki, marketing expert, author and Silicon Valley venture capitalist.

Many people may listen, but few people actually hear. – Harvey Mackay, author, business owner and speaker.

 

 

 

The Greeks Got Communication

By Phil Stella | Published: September 25, 2016

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 – 348 BC) philosopher, writer and teacher.

‘By words the mind is winged.’ Aristophanes, (450 – 388 BC), playwright.

The Ancients Valued Silence

By Phil Stella | Published: September 6, 2016

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 man to heed. Pindar, (522 BC – 443BC), Greek lyric poet

Our ancestors valued silence. Shouldn’t we?