Thinking Out Loud

Giving Direction

Alisa is a team leader at a marketing firm. Her team has six members working on a project for one of their bigger accounts. Alisa is conscious of giving praise (when it’s deserved) and holding everyone to high standards. She stays connected with team members through regular staff meetings and pushes herself to make one-on-one contact as much as she can, given her busy schedule. She is also respectful, listens well, has an overall positive attitude, and gives clear directions. Read More

Mom and the Pediatrician

First, the story: A mother and her five-year-old daughter go to a check-up with the pediatrician, who has an intern with him. The little girl has not been to the doctor’s office for several months and is usually reserved when she is there, deferring to her mother for communication with the doctor. In fact, the girl hardly utters a word. The story ends with the doctor suggesting to the mother that she consult a speech and language pathologist. The mother replies, “I don’t think that’s necessary.” The doctor is quietly disapproving as the appointment moves along and he talks mostly to the intern. He never asks the mother why she thinks the consult is unnecessary. Read More