I was just reading the blog of my friend Chuc Barnes, who has a great post in support of the iPhone4 and Apple in general. 

You’ve probably heard by now about the reception problems some users have experienced with their new generation phones, and I was fascinated by something Chuc had in his post:  The complaint rate is just .55%!  So this got me to thinking…

Consider this:  Whether it’s a fist-fight, a political scandal, or a problem with a new product, he who is first to the draw has the advantage.  In this case, the news of the iPhone4 problems came fast and furious through media reports, blogs, and top-of-the-hour news spots.  Buried deep in stories like this one was the truth of the infinitesimal fail rate.

And let me ask you this:  What would have been the result if Apple (more…)

Most people don’t ask a lot of questions (their loss).

When they do ask, virtually EVERYONE fails to fully capitalize on the power of questions (HUGE missed opportunities).

I can’t overstate how important it is that you ask good questions of others, regardless the context of the conversation.  Questions are the most powerful conversational weapon you can master—so powerful that asking them the wrong way can bring you negative results… even elicit deception where it (more…)

Have you ever said something to another person, and they didn’t take it the right way?  They got the wrong message, one you never intended… in fact, they “heard” something you didn’t even say? 

It’s pretty common that people hear the words of others and put their own spin on them.  Sometimes they hear what they want to hear.  Sometimes they even hear what they don’t want to hear… and still give you the credit for saying it.

If you’ve read my book (shameless plug:  If you haven’t, click on the cover above to get yours) you probably know more about me than I realized I was giving up when I wrote it.  But (more…)

Today was a perfect day.  I won’t bore you with all the reasons why, just one…

My wife and I had another one of those rare outings without the sprouts this afternoon, and we predictably topped off a late lunch with a latte from our favorite coffee joint. 

Yes, it’s the same place I told you about in my Mental Outsourcing post.

No, I still don’t enjoy girl drinks.  When Dean McDermott owns up to to it, I will too.  So yes, once again I just politely drank some of Missy’s.

Anyway, here’s why I’m writing this:  Aside from having a good time today, I was unexpectedly reminded of a questioning technique I’ve known (and used) for years, one you’ll definitely benefit from (more…)

People tell you more than they realize.  Maybe more than you realize they’re telling you.

Listen to the subtleties of the terminology they use, and you can easily determine their relationship to a person or idea, their opinion, even their age—and they won’t even know they’re giving it away.

A few nights ago I was on a late night flight out of Denver.  I was on my way home after hop-scotching around the Western US for a few days, and I’d ordered a cup of wine (sounds funny, doesn’t it, but they don’t trust us with glass anymore) about midway through the flight. 

I got up to stretch my legs at the back of the plane for a few minutes, and when I returned to (more…)

Depending on whether you’ve got a bad one or a good one, having a reputation can be something to overcome—or something to ride on.

At some point, all reputations get tested.  A few live up, but more shrivel away under the pressure.

Take politicians… they’ve always had the reputation of being good with words, haven’t they?  And in their case “good with words” has been code for “smooth talkers”.  Haven’t we’ve come to believe they’re masters in the art of knowing what to say, in just the right way? 

Sure, politicians can talk a blue streak, sway people—and votes—with seeming ease, but you know what, here’s a little secret:  When it comes to words, their reputation is stronger than their talent!  Let me tell you why I say this. 

I watched the financial crisis in the banking and mortgage industry unfold last Fall (’08) with a lot of fascination, and as it evolved (or devolved), it revealed two obvious (more…)