Category: Focus

Too much information? No. Too little intention.

To understand how and why we experience information overload we need to recognize that the main reason we collect information is to influence ourselves and others. Not entirely unrelated is the fact that one of the most important factors in attaining happiness is having influence over others. Without it we lose our raison d’être. This is also essentially…

Get the Yes: Winning Funding, RFPs, and Grants

With my systems-thinking brain I asked her: How will they choose you over other worthy requests? What personal and professional criteria will members of the funding team consider before dropping others to fund you instead? How do political in-fighting or long-term client/colleague relationship preferences factor in to the decision process? How does your request fit…

What Makes A Decision Irrational?

After spending 30 years deconstructing the inner processes of how people decide, and training a decision facilitation model used in sales, coaching, and leadership, I’m always amused when I hear anyone deem a decision ‘irrational’. Only outsiders wishing for a different outcome designate a decision as ‘irrational’. I doubt if the decision maker says to…

Is this you?

I’ve seen Hector (not his real name) wheeling his cart around Barcelona a few times. It’s massive. It must be extremely difficult to maneuver. One day I went up to him asked him if he really needed all of those things. He actually articulated an impressive defense. Does that remind you of anyone you know?…

The benefits of a culture that puts problem solving ahead of the blame game

I had an excellent session with a client today in which he told me about how he had to bring one of his employees into his office to remind him that, ”we simply can’t make these mistakes around here”.  My client told me that he had berated the employee with calm but stern voice, meaning…