Wait, what is Juneteenth?
Recently, I was conversing with a White friend, and I mentioned that Juneteenth is this weekend. They said, “Wait, what is that?” There’s a part of me that wanted to snap at them, somewhat sarcastically, “How could you not know that Juneteenth is one of the most important independence day celebrations in American history?!” But I couldn’t. Because the truth is, I didn’t know about Juneteenth...
Ink Blotches on Letterhead
This week, we’re doing something new – turning over our newsletter to a dear friend and client whom I had the privilege to serve as a consultant many decades ago. He recently shared a story about something he did back then that I think is very moving and profound. He gave me permission to reprint his story, but he’d prefer to remain anonymous. Still, I can say that at the time he was...
The Bullied and Their Guns
When I learned that the Texas school shooter was bullied in school, I couldn’t help but think back to my childhood. I was bullied mercilessly in middle and junior high school. I was beaten up, my lips cut, my glasses broken, and my clothing torn on a regular basis. I was called “f*gg*t” repeatedly, not because I was gay, but because I sang in the choir, and acted in plays and musicals, and...
7 Things You Can Say When Disrespect Goes Over the Line
Given recent events in the US and in many other countries, none of us should be surprised when we say that the evidence indicates that right now the amount of public disrespect – where people are saying and doing very disrespectful things to each other out in the open – is at, or approaching, an all-time high. As proof, we’ve already mentioned numerous incidents of public disrespect in...
Don’t Ignore Your Virtual Natives
By Cynthia Burnham, MBA I have a coaching client I’ll call Kerry, who is a successful leader with a very large organization. Kerry has a great reputation, excellent personal presence, and strong communication skills; and received multiple promotions over the years. Together, we’ve been working on strategies to help them grow quickly into a new position, which is fully remote, like the other...
It’s Just a Game, Or Is It?
Throughout history, athletes have competed against each other, very often under the flag of their country of origin. In fact, the Olympics and the World Cup are just two of many examples where nations are directly competing in an organized manner that deliberately heightens and celebrates their national achievements year after year. Beating a rival nation is the name of the game and a source...
The Respect Four Factor Theory in Practice
By CRL Advisory Council Member, Gerald L. Finch, Ph.D. Respect and disrespect have a dramatic impact on engagement Gallup’s 142-country study on the State of the Global Workplace found that only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged at work. The bulk of employees worldwide – 63% – are not engaged and are less likely to invest discretionary effort in organizational goals or outcomes....
Will Smith “Apologized.” But Was It Full?
I’m pretty sure that by now most people have heard about the incident during the recent Academy Awards ceremony. No, not the industry-shaking fact that for the first time in history a streaming service won a Best Picture Oscar, for the indie film, “CODA,” (Children of Deaf Adults). Rather, everyone’s attention was galvanized by what is being called the “slap heard round the world,” actor Will...
How About A Little Respect for Women’s Professional Sports?
During the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s, my father was well-known as a sportswriter, radio, and TV commentator who was very comfortable expressing his heartfelt opinions in public. In general, he stayed positive; waxing poetic on the powerful beauty of a well-executed football or hockey play, the importance of the Olympic movement to global cooperation, and how tennis was rapidly changing for the...