In a discussion recently about conference sessions, I raised the challenging question: what does intermediate even mean? Chances are it’s not an especially helpful expression. Here’s what we can do better. Intermediate means different things to different people, so event planners and speakers should be more specific when describing conference sessions. If you’re unsure if…
At a recent event I was at, I spoke to someone who had some very interesting things to say about why they don’t wear a mask. Summary: In today’s episode, the speaker is talking about peer pressure. He was at an event recently, where he was wearing a mask, and his colleague said that he…
Summary In today's episode, I share a story about being stunned when a fellow professional admitted feeling peer pressure not to wear a mask during a pandemic, then explore why grown adults still let others' opinions override their own judgment. Here's what this means for you. You can free yourself from the gravitational pull of…
The single biggest intellectual mistake of the last 50 years is the assumption that all opinions and points of view are valid and deserve attention. Can’t see anything? Watch it on YouTube here. Listen to the audio here: Download the MP3 audio here. Machine-Generated Transcript What follows is an AI-generated transcript. The transcript may contain…
Lots of posts about what’s appropriate in the workplace/on LinkedIn/etc. What’s appropriate? The answer varies wildly, is always contextual, and generally revolves around not causing harm. Can’t see anything? Watch it on YouTube here. Listen to the audio here: Download the MP3 audio here. Machine-Generated Transcript What follows is an AI-generated transcript. The transcript may…
From time to time as I create content, I’ll get feedback from people – usually on political topics – advising me in fairly coarse language to “stay in your lane”. Here’s why this is universally bad advice. Can’t see anything? Watch it on YouTube here. Listen to the audio here: Download the MP3 audio here.…
When you feel disconnected, it’s time to find a heartbeat. Here’s how. Can’t see anything? Watch it on YouTube here. Listen to the audio here: Download the MP3 audio here. Machine-Generated Transcript What follows is an AI-generated transcript. The transcript may contain errors and is not a substitute for watching the video. Christopher Penn 0:15…
Taxes pay for stuff. Think of taxes like a subscription. You pay more, but you get more in your subscription to Massachusetts™ than, say, you get in a New Hampshire™ subscription. It’s like comparing Netflix with Peacock. You pay less for Peacock but… you get a lot less in that subscription. I got a mailer…
As Uncle Ben said to Peter Parker upon his discovery of his Spider-Man powers, “With great power comes great responsibility.” What responsibility do you have to use your voice for things like Ukraine, abortion rights, etc.? Can’t see anything? Watch it on YouTube here. Listen to the audio here: Download the MP3 audio here. Machine-Generated…
Ann asks, “What is your most hated jargon or business-speak? Why?” Can’t see anything? Watch it on YouTube here. Listen to the audio here: Download the MP3 audio here. Machine-Generated Transcript What follows is an AI-generated transcript. The transcript may contain errors and is not a substitute for watching the video. Christopher Penn 0:13 In…
