Category Archives: Critical Thinking

(#391) Hotdogs, Weak Signals, and Promising Practices


What signals need to be heeded for the future? How can you move “best practices” to “promising practices”? One legend holds that a baseball scorecard salesman introduced the hotdog to the baseball park. The story unfolds in 1905 when Harry … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, creating your future, Critical Thinking, curiosity, habits, Reflection, Reflective practice, resilience | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

(#375) Capacities for Community Growth and Resilience


A community needs to be vigilant; to continuously deepen and develop capacities for sharing, cooperating, and growing. Last week, we looked at the broad topic of community—factors that define, foster, and hinder it. Let’s drill down a bit. Have you … Continue reading

Posted in accountability, action, amplifying, Appropriate Behavior, assumptions, awareness, collaboration, Communication, Community, community development, core values, Critical Thinking, curiosity, decision making, Dreams, intentionality, Reflection, Relationship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#370) What’s Your B.M.I. (Bureaucratic Mass Index)?


Has your bureaucracy morphed into a soul-sucking and resilience-retarding beast? Bureaucracy catches a lot of heat. “The Bureaucracy.”  When something goes wrong….blame it on “The Bureaucracy.”  Of course, “The Bureaucracy” provides the structure. The people (the bureaucrats) make it move … Continue reading

Posted in bureaucracy, collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, decision making, Haters, institutional climate, institutional culture, leadership, resilience, transactional leadership, transformational leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#368) Fake, Illegitimate Or Incomplete Information?


Just because you find a lot of information does not mean you have found accurate or credible information If, as famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright claimed, “An expert is a man who stops thinking because he knows,” then can we say … Continue reading

Posted in Appropriate Behavior, assumptions, collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, curiosity, empathy, fortitude, Grit, Haters, Integrity, learning, Life lessons, Mindfulness, mindset, priorities, vulnerability, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

(#357) Perspective


Our attention will determine our interpretation. What thoughts and feelings come to mind when you see the photo below?   Now, same question as you expand the view and context of the photo? Hmm. Marriages performed juxtaposed with a bedpan–with … Continue reading

Posted in assumptions, awareness, collaboration, confirmation bias, Critical Thinking, Failure, focus, Goals, growth, habits | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#354) What Can You Really Control?


Perhaps understanding and accepting the uncertainty will allow you to see additional choices and paths to success. Last week seven words focused my attention. Are you afraid to ad-lib your life? Do you have to script each moment as you … Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety, awareness, change, change management, creating your future, Critical Thinking, decision making, Discipline, empathy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

(#353) Change Management


We all are in the change management business. Did you know that about 500,000 jobs exist in the “change management” field? Titles like, “Culture Change Manager…Change Management Analyst…Change Management Lead…Change Management Specialist….” Who knew? As I prepare for two corporate … Continue reading

Posted in accountability, Appreciation, Appropriate Behavior, awareness, change, change management, collaboration, Critical Thinking, decision making, leadership, transformational leadership | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

(#349) A Tangled Mess


We could ignore the tangles and hope they go away on their own. What is the healthiest and safest manner to help us stop going in circles, loosen up, and prosper? Ever had to deal with a root-bound plant? You … Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety, Appreciation, assumptions, awareness, Balance, Critical Thinking, fitness, fortitude, growth, Life lessons, resilience | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

(#348) Repair The Bucket. Fill The Bucket.


Who can help you? Who can you help? Do you sometimes just get tired?  Feel like you are getting nowhere fast? Might even believe you are moving backwards? A friend reminded me of a powerful visual. This woman is the … Continue reading

Posted in awareness, Balance, courage, Critical Thinking, empathy, fitness, focus, fortitude, Grit, resilience | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

(#335) Politics, Anxiety And A Few Coping Strategies


How and with whom can you share love and goodness this week? In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association 52% of respondents identified the 2016 presidential election as “a very or somewhat significant source of stress” in their lives.  … Continue reading

Posted in Anxiety, Appropriate Behavior, assumptions, authenticity, awareness, Balance, Critical Thinking, focus, fortitude, health, hope, Life lessons, Mindfulness, mindset, Personal growth, Personal Wellbeing, resilience, responsibility | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments