Appreciation and Interest Really Do Work

Once again back at the car dealership, this time to have my Civic serviced. (Check Engine light went on.) And once again, I got a ride to work from a shuttle driver who I’ve learned is interested in sports. I started the ride with that topic, asking him about…

Michael Braun

Mar 21, 2017

You’re Right, I’m Wrong: NO PROBLEM?

I like saying I’m wrong. It happens often, at least daily, sometimes hourly. It’s freeing to admit what you don’t know, profess that you are wrong, and ask others to disabuse you of your ignorance. But why do I feel that way? Is there something Carnegie is ignoring…

Michael Braun

Mar 6, 2017

I Wish My Parents Had Taught Me Not To Argue

Think about How to Win Friends and Influence People and its principles. And now…

Sylvia B.

Mar 4, 2017

Week 9- Make people feel important

I didn’t really have many opportunities to do this for the specific reason to get something, but I still found some ways to make people feel important, and even if I didn’t get anything, it still made them feel appreciated and me feel like I did something good.

Michael Braun

Mar 3, 2017

Be the Point Guard of Your Next Conversation

Some of the NBA’s best players today play at the point guard position: Steph Curry, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Isiah Thomas, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry, etc.

Michael Braun

Mar 1, 2017

Hey, New People! Let Me Try Some Principles On You

I don’t interact with new people often. But last night, I attended my first Community Development Commission meeting. I volunteered to serve on the Commission after the November election. And this meeting meant an opportunity to interact with…

Michael Braun

Feb 27, 2017

Other People’s Interests—What does this mean?

I’m sorry for my silence this last week. We have entered the stage of overlapping principles, which is a good time to renew focus on all the things we are supposed to be doing now. (And yet, the one area I still need more work on is not criticizing…

Sylvia B.

Feb 26, 2017

Week 8-Talk in terms of other peoples interests

First things first- make sure you know at least a little about the subject of interest of the person you are going to have a conversation with before you do. You don’t want to end up stuck in a conversation about something you know nothing about…

Michael Braun

Feb 16, 2017

Learning All You Can From Others

I listen to a dozen hours of podcasts every week on average. A lot of them are about sports, especially the NBA. Others relate to current events and culture, like Fresh Air, On The Media, and This American Life. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up, and I find myself with…

Sylvia B.

Feb 13, 2017

Week 6- Say Names

It’s easy not to notice how you address people, for example, this week I found that I tend to call people by name if it ends in an “e” sound, like Amy or Ellie, and when people have short, common names, Jack or Kate for example, I find myself using their whole name. Names that don’t fit that…

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