Pragmatic Communication

rhetoric (rĕt’ər-ĭk) n. the art or study of using language effectively and persuasively.

I love words – reading, writing, speaking, listening and, most importantly, meaning and understanding. Words can edify and connect us, but if we’re not mindful when we use them, words can be a divisive weapon that separates us. Below is a compilation of thoughts, pet peeves, cool vocabulary words, suggestions and observations about how we communicate with each other in our personal and professional relationships.

Stop Talking About What’s Wrong. TAKE ACTION to Help Make it Right.

Working toward positive change is a much more productive use of time and energy than complaining and/or trying to thwart ...
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Fine is a Four Letter Word.

Don't listen to condescending voices of marginalization and mediocrity. Voices that say you don’t have to work as hard as ...
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maybe they’re not GIVING you a hard time. maybe they’re HAVING a hard time.

The next time someone gives you a hard time, consider the possibility that it has NOTHING to do with you ...
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Sometimes, even when it’s not your fault, it’s still your problem.

Some will step up, take ownership and work toward a solution. Some will complain and search for someone to blame ...
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If You Want to Recognize Opportunity, Pay Attention.

Notice What Others Overlook and You’ll See Opportunities They Don’t. Seems simple. but you know as well as I do ...
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Hard Work Beats Talent When Talent Doesn’t Work Hard

When you are talented in some area and doing a job you are overqualified for, it may seem like you ...
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Sometimes, with people, you find what you look for. #SeePeople because we're all #JustaDifferentKindofBroken

You Find What You Look For. What are you missing?

Sometimes with people, you find what you look for. What if you questioned your assumptions? What if you asked questions? ...
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Repentance leads to positive change but guilt is self-destructive, counter-productive and a waste of time.

Repentance vs. Guilt reACT or reSPOND?

Repentance leads to positive change, but guilt is self-destructive, counter-productive and and a waste of time. Guilt: feelings of deserving ...
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When Words and Actions Conflict, Actions Carry the Stronger Message are you duplicitous?

Do you have a friend who you KNOW differs from you with regard to faith, politics, relationships, social issues, etc? ...
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the unintentional message behind accepting the status quo.

Check it out. Such a cute video. Encouraging. A great example of optimism. But another thought nags at me. Scroll ...
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problem solving and benchmarking. facing a problem? search for what's been done before.

I'm not that special. I feel like I've written about this before, but when I'm facing a problem, I tend ...
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Don't Insulate Yourself from Developmental Feedback (constructive criticism). Be Brave. Seek it out.

Looking for a Qualified Teacher or Credible Mentor? 4 Things to Consider:

Recently, in a post entitled "Want to improve? Give people permission to tell you the truth." I wrote: "As scary ...
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Memo to Me: Listen more than you talk.

Remember: You can learn a lot about and from others. What they think... How they feel... Something they've learned... maybe ...
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Give the people you trust permission to tell you the truth

Want to improve? Give people permission to tell you the truth. (And don’t punish them for it)

Do you want to improve? To get better at what you do? If the only feedback you are receiving about ...
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It Doesn’t Matter if You CAN. It matters if you DO.

Lots of people CAN do something. Not everyone does. There's opportunity in that. If you have a talent, be a ...
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Who Sent the Stronger Message at the 2018 Tony Awards? De Niro? Orin Wolf? or the Audience?

Some might say De Niro sent the strongest message. From the looks of the internet on June 11th, he got ...
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Buzz Lightyear and Woody Duplicity Everywhere

duplicity. duplicity everywhere. whenever words and actions conflict, the actions carry the stronger – truer – message.

The following excerpt came to me via private message a few weeks before the 2016 presidential election: "I enjoy a ...
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People talking without speaking. People hearing without listening. Why would anyone want to engage in conversation with someone who thinks they are stupid?

January 20th [2017]. I should NOT have gone on facebook. So. much. hate. contemptuous mocking. sarcasm. ridicule. Not just for ...
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Pragmatic Communication