Overcoming Risk and Fear

I have occasionally wondered how many things I might have done in life if I hadn’t been afraid to do them. Probably quite a few. Fear is one of nature’s better inventions. It keeps us from petting rattlesnakes, investing our retirement funds in Nigerian princes, and saying certain things to our wives that—while technically true—need […]

Building Your Power of Expression Protean, adj. Pronunciation: ˈ’prōdēən, prōˈtēən Meaning: The word protean denotes the idea of someone or something tending or able to change frequently or easily. Kind of reminds me of a shape-shifter or a person of extreme versatility. Usage: “It is difficult to comprehend the whole of this protean subject.” “Shostakovich […]

I am pleased to bring you Issue 363 of Uncommon Sense! We’ve got some important ground to cover in this issue, some of it serious, some of it perhaps a bit whimsical. There are many facets of leadership and one of them involves displaying courage without being obnoxious. Sometimes doing what is popular is a […]

There is a dirty little secret about leadership that doesn’t get mentioned much in leadership seminars. Sometimes, if you’re doing it right, people won’t like you. There. I said it. We live in an age obsessed with approval. We count “likes.” We monitor comments. We curate our opinions. We soften our language so nobody becomes […]

For most people, the story of the medieval world was one of cramped cities, constant violent crime, and episodic outbreaks of deadly plagues—the dividends of unclean urban conditions, rotting food, fouled water, open sewage, and unchecked rats, fleas, and lice. Most of each day was spent simply trying to survive until the next. Castles and […]

Have you ever found yourself writing a ridiculously long email trying to explain something that you could have demonstrated in about two minutes? Or perhaps you’ve scheduled a 30-minute Zoom meeting simply because showing someone what you mean is easier than trying to explain it in writing. There’s a better way. It’s called Loom. Loom […]

Have you ever paid attention to the way people shake hands? I have. Then again, I pay attention to a lot of things that probably don’t deserve quite as much attention as I give them. There is, of course, the Classic Handshake—firm but gentle, two or three pumps, eye contact, perhaps a smile. It says, […]

Building Your Power of Expression Abortive, adj. Pronunciation: əˈbôrdiv Meaning: This word denotes the failing to produce the intended result; begun or attempted but unsuccessful or brought to nothing. It is an appropriate word-choice to describe the unsuccessful outcome in producing the intended result; failing to develop fully or reach a successful conclusion. The word […]

Welcome to Issue 362 of Uncommon Sense! And welcome to all the new subscribers! I think you are going to find some real value and provocative commentary in this issue. The Self-Development column will launch into some thoughtful commentary on leadership. Read it, apply it, and lead effectively. This one’s a keeper. Trump Derangement Syndrome […]

When we hear the word leadership, most of us immediately imagine other people. After all, you need followers to be a leader, right? Otherwise, you’re just some guy walking around issuing inspirational pronouncements to an empty room. But there is a form of leadership that precedes followers, titles, corner offices, organizational charts, and invitations to […]