In 2012, a new blog entry will appear every Monday morning (central time zone) to give you some tools, tips, or ideas to start your week. In this first entry, we cover the three pieces of enduring good news about human communication. Here’s to a wonderful 2012. Happy New Year.
Getting Things Done in an Age of Distraction
Is it possible that we’ve created a working environment where countless distractions and trivial pursuits guarantee that we get less done—with increasing effort—each passing day? Recent research illuminates our contemporary struggle to harness our precious attention in an age of distraction and points toward a solution.
Question Suggestion (Part Three): Recurring Bad Questions
Some people ask bad questions pervasively. Don’t let recurring bad questions drive you crazy. Help faulty questioners straighten out their twisted queries so both of you stay sane. Four strategies can help.
Question Suggestion (Part Two): Bad Questions
Bad questions impede understanding, sow confusion, or stifle the flow of information. Even worse, bad questions often lead to conversational escalations that dramatically increase the likelihood of relational damage. Strive to keep your bad questions from seeing the light of day, and respond appropriately when someone asks you a faulty question. Read on for strategies to assist.
Question Suggestion (Part One): Essentials of Good Questions
Questions are like a talented, but wayward, uncle. Questions can do so much conversational good—by improving message comprehension and helping people understand each other—but unfortunately, just like Uncle Jimmy, questions can often cause a great deal of trouble.