Primer on Questions – Part 4 of 6: How?

Once we understand what is happening, when action might be appropriate, and who is involved, the practical mind inevitably asks another question: How. “How” questions concern method. They seek pathways from intention to result. Human beings are natural problem-solvers. Faced with a challenge, we instinctively begin searching for procedures, strategies, and tools. We want to […]

Building Your Power of Expression Implacable, adj. Pronunciation: ˈimˈplakəb(ə)l, imˈplākəb(ə)l Meaning: When something is said to be implacable, we mean it is unable to be placated. OK, I’ll stop being sassy and give you a clearer definition. It is something that is relentless, unstoppable, unappeasable, and it can even carry a sort of ruthless, heartless, […]

Announcing: Uncommon Sense Issue 353. People often brag about being street smart, while at the same time negating those who are book smart. The Self-Development column will weight in. The Elephant in the Room column will also weigh in – this time on the thorny issue about Voter ID laws. While the Left claims it’s […]

Which matters more—street smarts or book smarts? It’s one of those debates that never quite goes away. Sit around a dinner table long enough and someone will inevitably declare that “real-world experience beats a classroom any day.” Someone else will counter that without education, you’re just guessing your way through life. Both sides think they’re […]

Let’s talk about something that has quietly become one of the most heated—and misunderstood—debates in our country: voter ID laws. On one side, many Republican lawmakers argue that requiring identification to vote is simply common sense. After all, we show ID to board a plane, drive a car, pick up prescriptions, or even buy certain […]

Most of my readers are familiar with that dependable Italian standby, The Olive Garden. But what you may not realize is just how strong a value they’re quietly serving up every day. On a recent visit, I went with one of my usual favorites: the bottomless soup and salad. It’s simple in concept, but surprisingly […]

After clarifying what is happening and considering when action may be appropriate, attention turns naturally toward another dimension of inquiry: Who. “Who” questions direct our awareness toward agency and responsibility. They ask us to consider the individuals—ourselves included—whose decisions, values, and actions shape events. In any complex situation, circumstances matter. Timing matters as well. But […]

Building Your Power of Expression Garrulous, adj. Pronunciation: ˈɡerələs Meaning: Ever met a person who is excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters? That person is garrulous. Usage: “In the play, that particular character was portrayed as a foolish, garrulous old man.” “At family dinners, my uncle always became a bit garrulous, regaling us with endless […]

I am pleased to bring you Uncommon Sense Issue 352. Well, actually, there is a caveat as I am disheartened about what you will be exposed to in one of the columns below. The Self-Development column will give you a solid lesson about what not to do in a career context. Learn from other people’s […]

I first heard the words in the title of this article many years ago – back in the 1980s – while reading a book by Tom Peters. Here is what that means to me: Clown around in the board room with a colleague while VIPs are present and you will be perceived to be a […]