366BC a young man joined Plato’s famous academy to learn about philosophy and the sciences. His name was Aristotle and he became Plato’s most successful disciple and a subsequent teacher at the academy. Aristotle is known today as a polymath and especially as a philosopher. He wrote about and studied subjects from physics, biology, over metaphysics and ethics to poetry.
During his lifetime he made a variety of groundbreaking contributions to the sciences, however, there was one that isn’t often recognized by people....
In November 2012 Barack Obama made history and won the presidential election. His more experienced rivals were stunned. How could a young upstart and senator become the first black president of the United States?
Was it Obama’s charismatic personality that made it possible?
Was the historic moment just right for the young senator?
Both these factors had an impact for sure. But there is another one I think was incredibly impactful....
Humans are social animals. Through the course of our lives it’s inevitable that we have to communicate and collaborate with others. We are constantly influencing each other, manipulating consciously or unconsciously the thoughts and decisions of those around us. This is not good or bad, it’s just the way humans function.
If we want to perform together as a team to solve difficult problems, we need to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts that may halt our progress....
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
This six-word story, often attributed to Hemingway, is an emotional tragedy. With just six words a writer can communicate a whole story.
What do you think of when you hear the term story?
Probably books and movies come to mind. Long narratives of heroes and foes acting in their worlds. But story is more prevalent than that. Because our brains are wired to think in stories....
Human communication and persuasion skills might be the most important skillset in life that I have come across so far. It is all the more valuable because there is no distinction necessary between work and the rest of life. What do I mean by communication and persuasion skills? Under my definition it includes all skills related to improving a person’s ability to communicate and collaborate with, as well as understand and convince other people....