By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. You had a controlling mother, which explains why you freeze up around authority figures. Your parents doted on you, that’s why you don’t concern yourself with the rules and do whatever you want. Your parents never said you were good enough, that’s why you constantly seek approval. Most psychologists contend that we can understand our current … Read More
Sorry I’m Late, Traffic Was Terrible!
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. Have you ever been late to a meeting and blamed it on the traffic? I sure have! I’ve blamed my tardiness on the traffic, having the wrong time in my calendar, the wrong location, difficulty finding a parking place, I lost track of time, to name a few. The fact is, I should have departed sooner, … Read More
Recognition
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. I was excited to share what I had just learned with the leadership team. Market intelligence can be difficult to come by; it can also be very valuable. I had just learned that a major competitor had a major chink in the armor that just might open the door to a large account that had never … Read More
That Won’t Work
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. I belong to a Facebook group made up of authors who have achieved best-seller status. One of the purposes of the group is to help each other with new books, providing feedback on titles, sub-titles, book covers, etc. A couple of weeks ago, a newer member of the group posted a book cover for her new … Read More
I Already Knew That
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. What if someone said the following to you? “You really didn’t need to waste my time. You think that what you just told me was something I didn’t know. I understand what you are saying. In fact, I agree with what you are saying, but you are mistaken that I need to hear it from you. … Read More
No, But & However
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. As a young manager, I had some great mentors that taught me many lessons about leadership and management. Charlie Johnson taught me a lesson early on that has stayed with me throughout the years, and that lesson emanates from the use of the word “but.” Charlie taught me that when you give feedback to another, anytime … Read More
Nice Tie! (smirk)
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. When I wear a tie, which is quite often, I like to wear a tie with a little pizazz. Not too much pizazz, just a little. I definitely try to avoid boring ties. Finding a tie with a little pizazz versus too much pizazz can be like walking a tight rope! Too much pizazz can bring … Read More
Are You the Smartest Person in the Room?
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. I worked for a CEO who usually considered himself the smartest person in the room. He had extensive experience in the industry we were in and had paid his dues to work his way into the C-suite. I say that he considered himself the smartest person in the room because every time someone presented a new … Read More
Winning at All Costs
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. Memorial Day was this past weekend, a day to remember, reflect and appreciate the sacrifices made by so many for the freedom we enjoy today. Memorial Day was always a special time for our family. In the small town where I grew up, a Memorial Day service was held every year in the town square, which … Read More
20 Habits That Could Be Holding You Back
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. Our daughter graduated from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, one of the schools described in the book, Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges, written by Loren Pope and edited by Hilary Masell Oswald. She received an excellent education from Eckerd College, and, like many college graduates, … Read More
What Are You Talking About?
By Bill Auxier, Ph.D. Conversations between leaders and organizational members can provide nuggets that organizations need. Some of those nuggets are more valuable than others, depending on the content. Early on in my sales career, I reported to a manager who only wanted to talk business. There was no discussion of current affairs or personal lives, it was all about … Read More