Self Awareness

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Contagion In The Workplace

Recently, Facebook took heat for a little “experiment” they conducted at the beginning of the year. They served ads that were considered to be positive or negative to 700,000 FB members to see how it affected their postings. As my friend Mary’s mom used to say — You shouldn’t have done that (and in this case, we’ll complete the sentence with “Facebook”).

Why? Because Facebook didn’t ask permission. They just did it.

However, now that’s clear, what they learned and even published is important and supported by research that’s been done time and again. It’s also validated by experience, when we pay attention. 

Here’s what the experience part might look like: Read more

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Brilliant Blunders!

Ira Flatow hosts a radio show called Science Friday on National Public Radio. As you can imagine, it airs on Friday (yes), and it’s about Science (that’s right).

Weird Science

Some of the topics in recent weeks have included:  Insects May Be The Taste of The Next Generation, Resetting the Theory of Time, and The Perils of Plankton.

I don’t know about you, but I find most of this stuff fascinating. Curiosity, after all, is my greatest character strength, as reported by the VIA institute on Character.

I promise, however, that I’m not writing this particular post about bugs, time, or the stuff of the oceans. The latest Science show however, is a whole. other. thing. Not only does it pique my interest but it also includes great lessons for leaders!

Brilliant Blunders

Today, Ira Flatow interviewed astrophysicist and author Mario Livio. His recent book, Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin To Einstein, “explores the colossal errors committed by scientific greats, from chemist Linus Pauling’s botched model of DNA, Read more

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Where Are Your Singing Mice?

Not long ago, I was reading through a Smithsonian magazine, and came upon a particular article that captured my attention.

The story was about a man in Detroit who discovered a singing mouse. No one, including the folks at the University of Michigan, knew what to make of it. They studied the mouse, but couldn’t quite get to the bottom of it all. Read more

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Lessons from Ice Cream and Snorkeling

Earlier today, I was gearing up for a sweet chocolate sundae in my kitchen. You know the kind – vanilla, Hershey’s chocolate, cold, smooth…with an open bowl and a handy spoon.

I tugged and tugged at the top of the Double Vanilla, Private Selection, almost-half-gallon-container, but,

It just wouldn’t come off.

It finally dawned on me that this particular brand of ice cream has what seems like a top-secret entry point on the lid. There’s one corner that allows easy access, and all it takes is a gentle, Read more

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Where Leadership Lives

Last month, I met for the second time with a group called the “Sista Circle.” It’s a group of women brought together by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the purpose of providing encouragement and support in various ways.

The women of the Sista Circle live in an expansive group of apartment complexes where drug dealing and the sounds of gunshots are not uncommon. I had exposure to some of these women last year through the Leadership Cincinnati program, and was touched by their honesty and open hearts.

Strengths and Leadership

Why am I writing about these women? Well, because I’ve found a tremendous strength in these women and clear signs of leadership Read more

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