Margaret’s Persuasion Coach Blog
Trust v. Cynicism
I recently read about a study at the University of Toronto designed to test who is best at detecting lies, cynics or those who tend to give others the benefit of the doubt. The "high trusters" proved better at spotting liars than those who assumed the worst about...
Kindness Yields Confidence
"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." The Tao Te Ching When I first came across this three-part quote, the second and third parts clicked with me immediately. Somehow, it seemed self-evident...
Happy Holidays
I am going to take a couple of weeks off from blogging to enjoy the holidays. I’ll be back in the groove in early January. For New Year’s, I plan to focus on gratitude rather than on resolutions. Please know that I will be expressing many thanks for you, my blog...
Live, Love & Listen
The other day I came across this adage on Facebook: Live without pretending. Love without depending. Listen without defending. Some of the best advice I’ve ever seen. Each line of this little poem relates to effective communication and consensus building. “Live...
Consensus Building, Trekie style
Lately, I have been revisiting the original Star Trek TV series as well as the second series, Star Trek the Next Generation. Nichelle Nichols, the actress who played Lieut. Uhura in the first series reportedly once said to Gene Roddenberry, "You clever devil. You're...
Defense against the Dark Arts of Persuasion: LEFT V. RIGHT
The more we learn about brain science, the more we realize that decisions we feel are objective can be influenced by subtle factors we aren’t aware of. Psychologist Daniel Cassanto of the New School for Social Research studies the ways that our manner of physically...
Thanksgiving 2012
On this Thanksgiving Day, I’m especially thankful for you—my blog readers. Thank you for your interest in consensus building and communication; your interest fuels my fire for this profession. Thanks also for commenting on various articles and sharing them with...
Clarifying Written Communication
“Get it down in writing so everything will be clear.” How many times have you said, heard, or thought that? Sometimes written communication clarifies things, and sometimes it does just the opposite. People can misunderstand a written message when they don't hear your...
Dealing with Bullies
This week I read a heartwarming story of a high school quarterback who instinctively knew, and did, the most effective things to stop others from bullying a special needs girl in his school. The girl, Chy Johnson, functions at about a third grade level. Bullies were...
Facilitating Inclusive Communication
Last week we explored the difference between shyness and introversion as well as the difference between talkativeness and extroversion. But even though “introverted” doesn't mean shy, shyness or reticence can still impede the quality and quantity of communication. The...