by Russ Riddle | Apr 27, 2016 | Communication
Walking downhill from the Grand Hyatt Seoul, my colleague Mary Ann and I can hear a local merchant shouting, “Genuine imitation!” This oxymoron has us chuckling. Namdaemun, Korea’s largest traditional market is bustling. Local products, sundries and food. And,...
by Russ Riddle | Nov 11, 2015 | Communication
Stage fright is natural. Actually good, so long as you harness those nerves to your advantage. Nerves give you an edge of energy and focus. Adrenaline’s gushing (along with lots of other chemicals) and you’re acutely present. A presence your audience will embrace....
by Russ Riddle | Oct 6, 2015 | Communication
Why has advocacy morphed into rabid confrontation? To quote one long-time judge in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area – “Being adversarial does not require that you bark like a backyard dog at every little thing.” Acting out is unpersuasive. “Stop stomping your feet and...
by Russ Riddle | Sep 25, 2015 | Communication
One unintended, albeit human byproduct of conquering professional curriculum and licensure is we sometimes swell up. We’ve achieved. We’ve arrived. We personify the pomp and circumstance. Both comedy and tragedy. Our message succumbs. Professor Tom Baker warned me and...
by Russ Riddle | Sep 25, 2015 | Communication, Legal
You and I worked hard to become experts in our field. To obtain our professional credentials. Law school’s tough. Medical school’s tough. MBA curriculum is tough. Engineering, architecture, dentistry and psychology . . . tough . . . the list goes on. Not everyone’s up...
by Russ Riddle | Mar 20, 2013 | Communication, Relationships
People instinctively push buttons. I am not sure why. Perhaps we marvel at the results. But relationships can suffer. Our fascination with buttons starts innocently enough. Toddler toys sport buttons of all sorts. Animal heads pop up, sounds abound and giggles burst...
