After our trip toTurkey to be part of a group of Americans to be the conversational English practice for a group of Turkish school kids, this article was published on the Turkey Ministry of Environment and Forestry website about our group. This is a rough translation....
Grow Your Key Talent Blog
Are you accusatory?
It's easy to get angry and defensive when someone accuses you of something you didn't do. Yet have you examined if you speak in accusatory language? For example, a colleague didn't get a recent email I'd sent. When discussing this, he said, "You didn't respond to my...
Does your service staff have an “easy” button?
I admit it, I'm jaded. My experiences with most government employees has been negative. Most of the ones I've encountered have had lackadaisical attitudes and full of "I can't do that" verbiage, rather than seeing if they can find a solution. Granted, from my...
When you want to communicate, you’ll find a way
I'm accompanying a dozen Turkish students on a bus going to the Aegean Sea for a boat ride. I've joined with other Americans whose purpose is to spend a week with these kids helping them with conversational English through the EngliverCity English school. My seatmate,...
Are you resigned to the status quo?
There are always circumstances beyond your control. Coworkers who drop the ball. Suppliers who lose your order. Vendors who over-promise and under-deliver. So you learn to control what you can. What if you could manage better those who's work you depend on? If you...
Everyday lagniappe
You may know the word "lagniappe" is a Cajun phrase for giving something extra. It can be a physical item or going out of your way for someone. If you want to stand out, you provide lagniappe, whether as a corporate employee, an entrepreneur, or as a person. You stand...
Are you doing the best you can?
I've always been troubled hearing the phrase "I'm doing the best I can." (Or "S/he is doing the best s/he can.") My immediate thought is: "Really? Are you (or they) *really* doing the best you (they) can?" It's usually meant to say "I working hard am OK with where I...
Cambodian uber-service star
When you're in a foreign country, it's comforting to know someone will look out for you, right? You want to have the peace of mind that someone you can trust will help you make plans and take care of your needs. Meet Dany Noun Rath of the wonderful Borei Angkor Resort...
Are you delighted by simple things?
On my recent tour of SE Asian orphanages for Together We Can Change the World, I got to hang with the kids, singing songs, and playing games I haven't played since I was a child. The broad smiles and belly laughs were infectious. It was hard to remember that an...