HBR - How to Give a Meaningful Apology

"I'm sorry, I just can't stop crying," Rick*, a manager in sales at a Fortune 100 company said to me — and then to Jim, a Senior VP at that company and also Rick's boss.

Jim looked at me, not knowing what to do next.

I had been called in to see about mending a rift between the two. While it had been building for some time, it had reached a climax when Jim had yelled at Rick in a team meeting, "I don't even know why I bother with you! You are an utterly useless human being!"

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Failure to Communicate and the Mirror Neuron Gap

Mirror Neurons are located in our brain and are thought to be the region that underlies imitation, learning and empathy. When they are not functioning properly, they are thought to be implicated in autism. The difference between how much we psychologically adapt to and care about others vs. how much we experience others as psychologically adapting to and caring about us determines our Mirror Neuron Gap.

The concept of the Mirror Neuron Gap (previously referred to as the Mirror Neuron Receptor Deficit) is the core concept underlying "Just Listen" Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone. The idea is that the more we "mirror" others especially from the position and values of seeking to be of service, the more likely they are to open themselves up to us, be grateful and want to return that generosity of spirit.

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Not So Fast: 10 Hasty Mistakes Startup Founders Make

by Mark Goulston AS SEEN AT FAST COMPANY

“Be quick, but don’t hurry” is one of famed UCLA Coach John Wooden’s most famous quotes. By that, he meant learn to do the right things, but then do them quickly.

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Are You FOR Real?

Do you sometimes feel more like a human doing than a human being? Do you feel that all the activity you do to capture that elusive prize, "peace of mind," often takes you further away from it?  Do you ever feel that your mind and other people's minds can corrupt what your and their hearts know to be true?

A few months ago we launched the Heartfelt Leadership Group at Linkedin.

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HBR - How to Give a Meaningful "Thank You"

Forget the empty platitudes; your star employee is not a "godsend." They are a person deserving of your not infrequent acknowledgment and worthy of appreciation and respect. When was the last time you thanked them — really thanked them?

In my line of work, I frequently communicate with CEOs and their executive assistants, and nowhere is the need for gratitude more clear.

After one CEO's assistant had been particularly helpful, I replied to her email with a grateful, "I hope your company and your boss know and let you know how valuable and special you are."

She emailed back, "You don't know how much your email meant to me." It made me wonder — when was the last time her boss had thanked her?

C0NTINUE READING

Can a Sales Driven Company be Heartfelt?

Shortly after the publication of my book, "Just Lisen" Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone,  I gave a presentation to a financial services company that prides themselves on understanding their client's needs because they said they wanted to improve their listening skills.

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Want Engaged Employees? How to Persuade Without Pushing

Ask Annie at CNNmoney

The way most of us go about trying to influence others is exactly backwards, says a new book. Here's how to get it right. 

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The Persuasion Cycle - A Gift from Heartfelt Leadership

I have recently been making presentations to organizations and companies where the single handout (and the single diagram from my book, "Just Listen" Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, which is for a limited time being promoted at Amazon Kindle for $2.99) is The Persuasion Cycle below:

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