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Writing with Impact: Mind Your WEs & YOUs

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

The trick to writing riveting and persuasive marketing copy is simply this: Know – and I mean really know, your audience – and get over there into their shoes and talk with them, not at them. This age-old marketing truism makes a lot of sense and it works. And yet, I encounter so many blogs, websites, brochures, letters and other…

5 Reasons You Should Blame “Them”

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

They made this mess. It’s their fault. If it weren’t for them… Oh, there are so many ways to invoke blame! Here’s the raw truth about blame: In the heat of the moment, it seems easy and natural to lay blame on others. But operating from a stance of blame is more harmful to yourself than it is to the entity or person…

Why Failure is FANTASTIC!

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Martha Carnahan | 3 Comments

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ~Thomas A. Edison I know you’ve heard this many times, but it bears repeating: Failure = Opportunity to Learn. A device I use to remember this comes from a story I heard many years ago during a coach training class. We had just been taught a new skill…

How to Become the Subject of Pleasant Dinner Conversation

Posted on October 20, 2018 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

Sorry to break this to you, but the people you work with — your staff, your vendors, your colleagues… your clients — they are talking about you after work with their family members and friends. It’s just one of those facts of life. You know how that conversation goes: “How was your day today, honey?” asks your colleague’s spouse….

How to Have More Powerful Conversations with Yourself

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Martha Carnahan | 19 Comments

When you are running a business you need a good team. You may be the captain, but your partners, employees, assistants, advisors, and vendors all play critical roles on your ship’s crew. There is another team on board too – your inner team. I’m sure you’ve noticed that sometimes you feel like you are at the helm and sometimes… well,…

“You’re Grounded.” (Thank You!)

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

“You’re grounded!” These words have been uttered by many a parent as punishment for mischief-making teenagers. “Grounding,” in this sense, means you are taking the kid out of the action and putting her on the sidelines for a bit. One mom I know said that grounding doesn’t work as a deterrent for her son because he likes it. No iPhone,…

Why You are a Terrible Judge of Your own Leadership

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

Many managers I talk with feel they are pretty good leaders. That is, until they receive the results of a staff and peer review. Some are shocked that their scores are so low. Others just can’t take in the data – they actually reject the feedback. If you do not possess the skill of empathy – of being able to…

How to Get Your Values Honored at Work

Posted on October 19, 2017 by Martha Carnahan | 3 Comments

Do certain things about your workplace rub you the wrong way? Do you go home at night and tell your family and friends that, if you were in charge, you would do things differently? It could be a case of mis-aligned values. If your personal values and your company’s values are at odds, it may be difficult to feel at…

The Key to Great Business Partnerships

Posted on September 13, 2017 by Martha Carnahan | 0 Comments

Coffee shop. Crowded and cramped. Awkward moment, attempting to close my ears to the crescendo of conversation between a man and a woman sitting inches from where I stood waiting for my Chai Tea Latte. I would like to have poked my fingers in my ears and sang, “la-la-la-la-la-la,” to drown out their argument. But maybe that would be even…