Audio Tidbits

Communication is an essential skill set in today's complex and fast-moving world, where there is too much information and misinformation. If you don't communicate clearly and effectively, you risk being misinterpreted, overlooked, or even undermined by others. You may lose opportunities, clients, or credibility.But communication is not a single skill. Different situations need different styles, methods, and techniques. For example, how you communicate with your manager may differ from how you communicate with your colleagues, your staff, or your customers. How you communicate in a meeting may differ from how you communicate in an email, a phone call, or a presentation. How you communicate in a crisis may differ from how you communicate in a normal situation.To master the art of communication, you need to learn how to adjust your communication style to different situations and audiences, how to select the best medium and message for your goal, how to listen actively and empathetically, how to give and get feedback, how to deal with conflict and hard conversations, how to convince and motivate others, and how to communicate with confidence and professionalism.To communicate effectively in different situations, you need to pay attention to the following factors:Your goal: What do you want to achieve by communicating? Do you want to inform, persuade, motivate, inspire, or entertain? Your goal will shape your message, your tone, and your delivery method.Your audience: Who are you communicating with? What are their needs, interests, expectations, and preferences? How much do they know about the topic? How will they respond to your message? Your audience will determine your level of formality, your language choice, and your communication style.Your situation: What is the setting or environment in which you are communicating? How formal or informal is it? How urgent or important is it? How much time and space do you have? Your situation will influence your communication channel, your medium, and your format.For example, suppose you want to communicate a new policy change to your team. Depending on the factors above, you may choose different ways to communicate:If your goal is to inform your team of the details and reasons of the policy change, your audience is familiar with the topic and open to the change, and your situation is a regular team meeting, you may choose to communicate verbally in a clear and concise way, using examples and explanations to illustrate your points.If your goal is to persuade your team of the advantages and necessity of the policy change, your audience is doubtful or opposed to the change, and your situation is a written report, you may choose to communicate in a logical and persuasive way, using facts and evidence to back up your arguments, and addressing possible objections and concerns.If your goal is to motivate your team to carry out the policy change, your audience is diverse and varied in their knowledge and attitude, and your situation is a presentation, you may choose to communicate in an emotional and inspirational way, using stories and anecdotes to relate to your audience, and emphasizing the positive outcomes and rewards of the change.As you can see, communication is not a simple task, but a complex and dynamic process that requires careful planning, preparation, and execution. By mastering the art of communication, you can achieve your goals, build your relationships, and improve your results. Communication Style One of the key factors that affects how you communicate is your communication style. Your communication style is the way you express yourself, interact with others, and behave in different situations. Your communication style reflects your personality, your preferences, and your emotions. There are many ways to categorize communication styles, but one common model is based on four dimensions: assertiveness, responsiveness, structure, and openness.

A Guide to Making the Right Decision -- Learn how to weigh the pros and cons of leaving your current job and find out what factors to consider before making a move. Why You Might Want to Quit Your Job There are many reasons why you might feel unhappy or dissatisfied with your current job. Maybe you are bored, stressed, underpaid, overworked, or unappreciated. Maybe you have a toxic boss, a hostile work environment, or a lack of career growth opportunities. Maybe you have a passion or a dream that you want to pursue outside of your current field. Whatever the reason, you might be tempted to quit your job and look for something better. Why You Might Want to Stay in Your Job However, quitting your job is not always the best solution. There are also many benefits and advantages of staying in your current job, especially if you have a stable income, a good reputation, a supportive network, or a valuable skill set. Quitting your job might mean losing these benefits and facing new challenges, such as finding a new job, adjusting to a new work culture, learning new skills, or dealing with financial insecurity. Therefore, before you quit your job, you should consider the potential risks and consequences of leaving your current position. - Do a SWOT analysis of your current job and potential alternatives. A SWOT analysis is a tool that helps you identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a situation. You can use it to evaluate your current job and compare it with other options. For example, you can list the advantages and disadvantages of staying or leaving, the possible outcomes and risks of each choice, and the factors that influence your decision. - Make a list of your values, interests, and skills. Sometimes, quitting your job is not only a matter of money or satisfaction, but also a matter of alignment with your personal and professional goals. You can use a list of your values, interests, and skills to assess how well your current job matches your preferences and aspirations. For example, you can ask yourself questions like: What are the most important things for me in a job? What do I enjoy doing and what do I want to learn? What are my strengths and areas of improvement? - Consider the timing and consequences of quitting your job. Quitting your job can have an impact on your financial situation, your career prospects, your relationships, and your health. Therefore, you should consider the timing and consequences of quitting your job before you make a final decision. For example, you can think about: How long will it take to find a new job? How will quitting affect my income, expenses, and savings? How will quitting affect my reputation, network, and references? How will quitting affect my family, friends, and colleagues? How will quitting affect my mental and physical well-being? - Seek alternative solutions to quitting your job. Sometimes, quitting your job is not the only or the best option to improve your situation. There may be other ways to address the issues or problems that are making you unhappy or dissatisfied. Therefore, you should seek alternative solutions to quitting your job before you decide to leave. For example, you can try to: Change your attitude or perspective towards your job. Find ways to cope with stress, boredom, or frustration. Seek new challenges, responsibilities, or projects. Look for opportunities to grow, learn, or advance. Request a transfer, a relocation, or a sabbatical. Take a break, a vacation, or a leave of absence. How to Decide Whether to Quit or Stay The decision to quit or stay in your job is a personal one that depends on your individual goals, values, and circumstances. However, there are some steps you can take to help you make a more informed and rational decision. Here are some tips to help you decide whether to quit or stay in your job: • Make a list of the pros and cons of quitting and staying in your job...

Have you ever given any thought to how guide dogs for the blind are trained? This episode of the podcast explains the four primary stages of the two-year process. It is audio only, so please press play and learn.

The Other Other Candidate is a political discussion with a twist that is best experienced. Just press play and listen.

Consider this argument reduced here to three chapters. It has been going on for days and weeks in long form and is condensed here to highlight the conflict. We have two intelligent, well informed people who grew up together but who have developed irreconcilable and opposing world views and political positions. They represent what we know as polarizing views. They each are committed to their perspective and see no compromise or middle ground. Chapter One "You can't be serious, Jake. You're voting for Smith?" Lisa asked incredulously, staring at her brother across a table at their neighborhood coffee house. "Yes, I am. And you should too, if you care about freedom and personal responsibility," Jake replied, his voice rising. "Freedom? Responsibility? Smith is a selfish, greedy, and corrupt politician who only cares about himself and his cronies. He wants to cut taxes for the rich, slash social programs, and deregulate everything. "That's a bunch of lies, Lisa. Smith is a visionary leader who understands that the best way to grow the economy and create opportunities is to let people keep more of their hard-earned money, reduce government interference, and unleash the power of the free market. He respects the Constitution, the rule of law, and the rights of the individual. He's the only one who can stand up to the global threats and defend our national interests," Jake countered, his eyes flashing. Chapter Two "You're living in a fantasy world, Jake. The free market is a myth. It's rigged by the corporations and the billionaires who exploit the workers, the consumers, and the natural resources. They pollute the air, the water, and the land, and they don't pay their fair share of taxes. They buy off the politicians and the media, and they spread misinformation and propaganda. They're the ones who are threatening our democracy and our security," Lisa said, her voice trembling. "You're the one who's deluded, Lisa. The corporations and the billionaires are the ones who create jobs, innovation, and wealth. They're the ones who invest in research, development, and education. They're the ones who support charities, the arts, and culture. They're the ones who are making the world a better place. They're the ones who deserve our gratitude and admiration, not our envy and resentment," Jake said, his voice firm. "How can you be so blind, Jake? Don't you see the inequality, the injustice, and the suffering that Smith's policies will cause? Don't you care about the common good, social welfare, and human dignity? Don't you value the community, solidarity, and cooperation? Don't you believe in government, democracy, and public service?" Lisa asked, her voice pleading. "How can you be so naive, Lisa? Don't you see the inefficiency, the waste, and the corruption that Jones's policies will cause? Don't you care about individual liberty, personal choice, and moral autonomy? Don't you value competition, merit, and achievement? Don't you believe in the market, personal freedom, and self-reliance?" Jake asked, his voice challenging.Chapter Three "We're not going to agree on this, Jake. You're too stubborn and too brainwashed. You've been listening to too much Fox News and too many right-wing podcasts. You've been reading too many conservative books and too many libertarian blogs. You've been influenced by too many of your friends and too many of your colleagues. You've lost your sense of reality and your sense of compassion," Lisa said, her voice sad. "We're not going to agree on this, Lisa. You're too gullible and too indoctrinated. You've been watching too much CNN and too many left-wing documentaries. You've been reading too many progressive magazines and too many socialist newsletters. You've been influenced by too many of your professors and too many of your activist friends. You've lost your sense of logic and your sense of justice," Jake said, his voice bitter.

Waiting: “Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite. Or waiting around for Friday night or waiting perhaps for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil or a better break or a string of pearls or a pair of pants or a wig with curls or another chance. Everyone is just waiting.” Is Dr. Seuss right? Are you just waiting? If so, Larry McMurtry had this observation for you, “If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.” You may do well to recall the words of Hazel Lee, “I held a moment in my hand, brilliant as a star, fragile as a flower, a tiny sliver of one hour. I dripped it carelessly, Ah! I didn't know, I held opportunity.” William James’ advice is worth pondering since you are just waiting and don’t have much to do anyway, “To change one's life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions.” So you aren’t sure you want to change your life? You are fine with doing nothing? Bill Watterson has found a small glitch with that strategy. “There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want.” Ruth Ann Schabacker said, “Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” However you decide to deal with just waiting and its glitches, Friedrich Nietzsche was nonetheless right, “When one has a great deal to put into it a day has a hundred pockets.” Surely one of those pockets holds a special surprise, just for you. Waisted Potential: Sometimes the truth isn’t very complicated. Achieving personal excellence is a case in point. Michael Jordan said, “You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” Ralph Waldo Emerson echoed the theme, “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.” Bruce Barton also understood the key to excellence, “Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside of them was superior to circumstance.” Mignon McLaughlin likely took the idea too far toward universal incompetence when he said, “We are all such a waste of our potential, like three-way lamps using one-way bulbs.” Even so, he did have a point. Most people stop far short of exhausting their potential. Thomas Edison was definitely right when he said, “If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” There are doubtless many reasons for wasted potential, but “Chiefly the mold of a man's fortune is in his own hands,” as Francis Bacon counseled. “Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be. Brothers and Sisters: There is a Vietnamese Proverb that says, “Brothers and sisters are as close as hands and feet.” Although this isn’t universally true, it should be. As Susan Scarf Merrell said, “Our brothers and sisters are there with us from the dawn of our personal stories to the inevitable dusk.” Marian Sandmaier added, “A sibling may be the keeper of one's identity, the only person with the keys to one's unfettered, more fundamental self.” Yes, “Our siblings push buttons that cast us in roles we felt sure we had let go of long ago…. It doesn't seem to matter how much time has elapsed or how far we've traveled.” Despite this truth from Jane Mersky Leder, “Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply …” Even so, “To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.” A warm “Thank you,” to Clara Ortega for reminding us. If this simple truth slips your mind, Pamela Dugdale is here to refresh your memory, “Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite ofte...

Children: “I love America more than any other country in this world; and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.” These words from James Baldwin may capture the essence of being a responsible American. Adlai Stevenson added to this essence when he said, “When an American says that he loves his country, he means not only that he loves the New England hills, the prairies glistening in the sun, the wide and rising plains, the great mountains, and the sea. He means that he loves an inner air, an inner light in which freedom lives and in which a man can draw the breath of self-respect.” “How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy.” As President Clinton observed, “There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.” “What we need are critical lovers of America - patriots who express their faith in their country by working to improve it.” We can start this work by focusing on the wisdom of Walter Lippmann, “We are quite rich enough to defend ourselves, whatever the cost. We must now learn that we are quite rich enough to educate ourselves as we need to be educated;” and that education must include all of our children, as they need to be educated. Only educating most of our children is not nearly good enough, especially if you are the child who is still being left behind. Angels: “If a man is not rising upwards to be an angel, depend upon it, he is sinking downwards to be a devil.” What do you think about this pronouncement from Samuel Taylor Coleridge? If you are skeptical about this angel thing, consider what George Elliot said, “The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone.” OK, you may still see nothing but sand and are too busy to rise upwards to be an angel. Besides, you’ve never seen an angel and doubt if anyone else has either. Well, it’s just like James Russell Lowell said, “All God's angels come to us disguised.” Voltaire added, “It is not known precisely where angels dwell - whether in the air, the void, or the planets. It has not been God's pleasure that we should be informed of their abode.” Nonetheless, “Angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love.” It’s like Jean Paul Richter told us, “The guardian angels of life fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us.” “O welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope, Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings!” Anger: There is a French Proverb that says, “Anger is a bad counselor.” Although anger compels you to action, it’s like Benjamin Franklin warned, “Anger and folly walk cheek by jowl.” Will Rogers put it this way, “People who fly into a rage always make a bad landing;” and Robert G. Ingersoll like this, “Anger blows out the lamp of the mind.” Should a Korean Proverb be more your style, try this one, “If you kick a stone in anger, you'll hurt your own foot.” Wherever in the world you seek your wisdom, indulging in anger is a major no-no. Even Horace gave it a thumbs-down, “Anger is short-lived madness.” Ambrose Bierce said, “Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.” OK, go ahead and lose your temper if you must; but at least take a quick count to 10 as you “consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief, than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved.”

The podcast team has three special segments for you in this episode. You hear about annoying people while waiting on a place to park, the missing muse that might not have been missing, and the mystery of modern day magic. Please listen and enjoy.

Do you think optimism and pessimism are a choice we all can and do make? It's our world and how we look at it are up to us? Would it were true. Listen and decide for yourself.

Who drives you up the wall? The frustration factor comes up for all of us now and then. Mainliners are among the most frustrating of the frustrating elite. Listen and learn how to deal with the mainliners of the world.

The Truth About People: All people at all times have needs, problems, and vulnerabilities beyond their individual capacity to cope. That applies to me and applies to you. Fortunately, many if not most people are more or less self-sufficient. They have the means and resources to assure that their needs are met. They can normally resolve their problems. They can manage their vulnerabilities. Even so, they still require services and resources controlled by others. Of course, the ability of people to manage, to cope with their reality, varies a lot depending where in the world they are and on local circumstances. Some of us are far better off than others of us. And therein lies the question. What level of responsibility do any of us have to provide for those of us who are unable to manage, unable to individually cope with our reality? This same truism operates at levels beyond individual people. It’s a fact of life for families, organizations, and communities. It’s true for business from one-person enterprises to international corporations. It is a daily reality for governments from home owner associations to nations. At the most fundamental level, the inability to go it alone is the reason why these social, economic, and political constructs exist. The value of collective support, effort, and participation generally exceeds the value of the associated loss of autonomy and personal independence. The Issue: For many reasons and myriad circumstances, Some people and groups of people acquire and control significantly more resources and opportunities than other people. Concurrently, for equally numerous reasons and circumstances, some people neither acquire nor control adequate resources to successfully manage and cope with their reality. Just as this inequity applies to individuals, it also applies to families, communities, businesses, regions, and nations. This fundamental disparity prompts several questions that need answers from each of us, from each community, from each business, from each government, from each nation. • What limits if any should there be on the level or amount of resources and control any one individual, family, community, business, organization, or government may possess? • What if any rules or restrictions should be imposed on any one individual, family, community, business, organization, or government? • What responsibility do individuals, families, communities, businesses, groups, networks, or other entities have to share their resources and control with entities outside their immediate domains? • What authority or power should any government have to restrict, regulate, seize, or enhance the resources or control of people or entities within its jurisdictions? • What responsibility if any does government have to protect people and other entities within its jurisdiction from risks and jeopardies within that jurisdiction – from outside that jurisdiction? • What responsibility if any does government have to compensate for the inability of people and other entities within its jurisdiction to successfully cope with or manage their needs, problems, and vulnerabilities? • What rights and entitlements do people and other entities have that cannot be limited, restricted, or interfered with through government action or inaction? Policy and Politics: The answers to these questions are policy and the process of answering these questions is politics. Regardless of how rational and orderly governance and politics are in principle, they are not exempt from the forces and proclivities present within other entities including families, communities, businesses, other organizations, and among people more generally. Resources and control do not distribute evenly. Some politicians gain more resources and control than others. Some are more successful accruing power and influence than others. Some more successfully sustain their political careers than others.

In this episode of the Leadership Shop Podcast, the series on adaptive leadership continues. Being organized is the first element discussed. This is followed by attention to the importance of timeliness which is followed by one of the key elements in adaptive leadership. Adaptive leaders are never slow to pitch in and do what needs done. Please listen as you enjoy this continuing series.

Do I have a deal for you. If you're like me, you are usually on your best behavior, trying to get along, trying to work things out in an environment that is frequently not nearly as considerate as you. It's enough to make you pull out your hair, if you still have any left from the last time your supervisor came close to driving you to drink. Would you like some techniques and strategies for rocking that boat, for just giving up on all that counting to ten and holding your breath? The Audio Tidbits podcast team has been there too and is here for you with just the advice you have been looking for. We aren't quite ready to encourage you to take the tips seriously but they are here for you the next time you have had it, as they say who are at the end of their rope when it comes to patience and making nice. Please press play, listen and then use your best judgement, if you have any judgement left after having to put up with those people.

In the short-term, "fun" usually does not matter much. You spend time with this or that person and give little thought to it one way or the other. You certainly notice people who are particularly pleasant or especially abrasive; but most people are merely there, doing whatever they do, being whomever they are. In these relationships, you take care not to be unpleasant or abrasive yourself; but "fun" is not a high priority. For the long-haul, though, fun matters. …

Maryanne Mitchell is the office manager for the Koch, James and Hightower law firm. She is meeting with Martin Koch. It is not unusual for Martin to ask her to stop by, but still she gets up tight and nervous whenever he does.   "I am just a born pessimist," she frets to herself, waiting for Martin to start.   He gets immediately down to business. "We seem to have some problems, Maryanne. Generally, things are going smoothly. The snag seems to be with some of the typing and some of the filing along with the billing. What do you think you can do to clean things up a little?"   Maryanne sighs but does not respond.   "What do you think? Is there any hope for it, Maryanne?" Martin asks, trying to relax the discussion.   Finally, the office manager says, "I'm worn out from trying. It is exhausting, trying everything there is to try and people are still not satisfied. I will try to straighten it out, but don't have much hope."   Martin leans toward Maryanne and says, "Maryanne, to tell you the truth, I'm beginning to get some heat about you, about your performance. There is some question about whether you can handle things anymore with the computers and all. I don't know. I think you can do it, but you need to tell me what has to happen to get things straightened up."   Maryanne sits motionless, not saying anything until Martin settles back to outwait her. In a small voice, she reluctantly says, "You'll have to decide for yourself about me. I am working as hard as I can. I've given this firm all I have. Things are a mess around here. I'm a nervous wreck from trying to straighten out everything that goes wrong. Everyone thinks it's all my fault. I'm just one person and can't do it all. Even you think it is all me, now."   Maryanne plays bummed out to perfection. Her main strategy is to get Martin to feel sorry for her.   ●"I am worn out from trying"   ●"It is exhausting, trying everything there is to try and people are still not satisfied"   ●"I have given this firm all I have"   ●"I am just one person"   ●"Even you think it is all me, now"   Let Martin get tough with Maryanne and then give him a guilt check. On a scale from one to ten, he will register at least eight or nine. Maryanne is counting on it.   As an aside, you occasionally see an interesting variation on the theme. The bummed out player makes an alliance with several other players. As a bummed out diad or triad or whatever, the crew supports each other's bummed out patterns. People who play together survive together. They usually describe their shared condition as being burned-out or perhaps demoralized.   Managing Bummed Out Players:   When bummed out is the game, the player neither values nor expects job success. Should it come, it is only serendipity. His personal priority is being protected and being forgiven - in advance - if things go badly. It is this guarantee of immunity that the player works for.   Going at it with a skilled bummed out player is exhausting but is not particularly difficult. Consider first what the dynamics of the play are. The bummed out player is using the technique to avoid responsibility, to get others to back off, and to avoid work or pressure. In a child, the pattern would be called pouting.   It will do little good to talk with the bummed out player about his behavior, but it cannot hurt. At least talking about the problem puts the player on notice that he will not be successful playing the game with you. Whether you talk to the player or not, there are several steps that will be effective over time.   First, simply out wait him. Bring up a problem or issue of concern and then wait for a response other than "bummed out." If necessary, say, "I hear all that. My concern is. . .. I'm waiting for your response to the problem." Patiently go back again and again until an appropriate response comes.   If this does not work, say, "I can see you are not going to deal with this,

The Audio Tidbits Podcast team has collected a series of tidbits incorporating the world’s best advice. These life gems are packaged in six episodes that we are sharing with you in the hope that you adopt them as elements in your personal style as you continue to make a difference to people who make a difference to you. This edition of the Audio Tidbits Podcast shares one of those six episodes for your enjoyment and consideration.

In this episode of the Audio Tidbits Podcast, Peter shares his perspective on character and virtue. Our choice boils down to a commitment to doing right or to doing wrong. As Peter concludes, when you get down to it, it’s not much of a choice. The key is consistently sticking to our choice. Please listen and see if you come to the same conclusion. I think you will.

Rod has intercepted another transmission by the aliens among us back to their home planet. They find our system of countries rather strange and report about what they call pods and sub pods. They also report on what they see as the world's ongoing war and how nations and groups war over power, control and exchange tokens. They also continue to update the folks at home about their leader who has infiltrated the power elite in the capital city. This report is interesting and very frightening. Listen and come to your own conclusion.

The Audio Tidbits Podcast team has collected a series of tidbits incorporating the world’s best advice. These life gems are packaged in six episodes that we are sharing with you in the hope that you adopt them as elements in your personal style as you continue to make a difference to people who make a difference to you. This edition of the Audio Tidbits Podcast shares one of those six episodes for your enjoyment and consideration.

Rod has intercepted another transmission from the aliens among us. This time they are reporting to their home planet. The report includes info about their activities in the capital city including focus on health care and the distribution of exchange tokens. Rod will continue to update you whenever he is successful with intercepting their communications.