A cliché is a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought. For example, “one man’s meat is another man’s poison.” But have you ever given any thought to how cliches reveal gender stereotypes? When we say that a parent’s gesture is “as tender as a mother’s heart,” does that imply … Read More
Video conferencing has replaced the face-to-face social encounters we are all sorely missing these days. Happy hours, birthday parties, classrooms, business meetings, psychotherapy appointments, Mah Jong games, Passover Seders and fitness classes have all moved online so people can feel some sort of “BC” (Before Covid) normalcy. Zoom interactions are our new reality. Attitude is everything … Read More
St Valentine’s Day is when people show their affection for a “significant other” or “others” by sending cards, flowers or chocolates with messages of love. It’s a perfect time to reach out across the miles, and not just to those with whom you are “in love,” but rather, to those you love and cherish. I have … Read More
Business photo created by katemangostar – www.freepik.comCandid conversations can move the needle in advancing progress, particularly if you’re speaking with someone who controls resources or shapes policy, or perhaps the listener can influence someone who does. If you’re feeling brave, here are a few tips for being upfront in conversations that can sway opinions: Be clear … Read More
Imagine yourself in a group discussion about a controversial issue. Have you had the self-confidence to take a stand when your opinion was solicited? It’s reasonable to hesitate when you know that people in your particular social group see the world differently. For instance, it can be risky to be candid if your boss has strong … Read More
Dedication: Ruth Bader Ginsburg I think she (Ginsburg) taught me how important it is to not be scared to speak publicly …and to be fearless…. I’ve found public speaking difficult in the past, despite being an actor. That’s something I’ve had to work incredibly hard at. And it was playing Ruth when I finally thought, “Right, … Read More
Let’s get serious about humor. Being funny is empowering. When women do comedy, they are in charge. But the same holds true for anyone delivering a presentation. Getting your audience to laugh means they are relaxed and open, which isn’t easy during times of great uncertainty when your listeners might well feel overwhelmed and distracted. Once they’re laughing, you … Read More
If you are asked to introduce the speaker or a panel for a meeting or event, you may not realize what an important role you have. The purpose of the introduction is to create a personal connection between the speaker and the listeners. You want people to feel privileged to hear the speaker and clearly understand … Read More
The actress Jennifer Lawrence recently wrote about a disheartening experience she had expressing an opinion to a man who worked for her (versus the other way around). She wrote: “A few weeks ago at work, I spoke my mind and gave my opinion in a clear and no-[BS] way; no aggression, just blunt. The man…said, ‘Whoa! … Read More
Click here to read the first post in this series. The societal double standard about women’s and men’s roles that defines how and where women should speak and what they should speak about put Hillary into a double bind position. No matter what she did or said, she couldn’t win over enough of the 62,979,636 Trump … Read More