Category Archives: Building Relationships

Trusted lies and the meaning of money

Recent reporting in the US indicates that we have accepted, as a culture, a "new normal" of half-truths and blatant disregard for facts.  Seriously?  Yes, unfortunately, this is no lie.  I wish I were kidding.  Apparently, some will consider this is a virtue, a victory over the rule of law, reason, and unadulterated honest dealings. It isn't. Repeated lying, especially the "rinse, wash and Continue Reading ...

Sailing the Seven C’s of Collaborative Business Relationships

By Daniel Robin To some folks, the phrase "business relationships" is effectively an oxymoron. The more pressure to perform, the more likely there’ll be a bump in the road to collaboration that sends things flying out of control. Hopefully the "bump" isn’t the tip of an iceberg, but just a bit of rough water that will soon pass. Collaboration at work isn’t required, it’s just a lot more Continue Reading ...

Humor in the Workplace: Compulsion or Choice?

Someday we'll look back on these times and laugh ... so why not start now!? By Daniel Robin Two executives walk into a bar. One says to the other "I've been thinking. If you took over as CEO, I could retire early." The other executive responds, "Sure, dear, but not until after we put the kids to bed." (What? Oh, I get it ... that's like a joke, but not as funny. What matters is that now we've Continue Reading ...

The Gentle Art of Confrontation

By Daniel Robin When you have a difficult message to convey to someone, how do you get them to listen non-defensively? This article explores methods of delivering so-called "bad news" with maximum effectiveness and minimum offensiveness. Consider the following situation at the office: a co-worker consistently deflects, resists, or lashes back each time you initiate an Continue Reading ...

Trust: Part 1

What's Trust Got To Do With It? By Daniel Robin Practically everything! Have you ever heard someone say "I just can't trust that person!" or "Hey, why don't you just trust me?" Trust is an odd thing: on the one hand, it's probably the single most important ingredient in successful relationships. On the other hand, partly because trust is in our heads -- a state of mind, an interpretation, a subjective Continue Reading ...

Workplace Power Dynamics: Part 3

Hidden Sources of Power at Work By Daniel Robin Many of us hold archaic assumptions about power … and there are precious few new archetypes or role models. To me, the greatest power comes from collaboration … from skillfully going inside our differences and working cooperatively toward building something better than we had at the start. The key here will be to use those forms of power that Continue Reading ...

Leadership in Action Series: Part 9

Speaking Up About Put-Downs By Daniel Robin This article series outlines several tools for dealing with patterns of aggressiveness.  Assertive leaders are clear about what they want, listen actively, make requests, set clean boundaries, and handle differences through skillful negotiation.  Of course, depending on the “personality” involved, it might be best to ask for help or get out of their Continue Reading ...

The Benefits and Advantages of Coaching

Still not clear on what coaching is?  Here's a definition For the Coach You don’t have to have all the answers Unleashed creativity ... more options and choices open up ... less a sense of limitation or stuckness. Fewer barriers to innovation, ... solutions arrive rather than continued head-banging Agreements upheld more often Shared responsibility frees you up to innovate, focus Continue Reading ...