by Dwayne Phillips Plans are significant things. We produce them with significant effort. Otherwise, we are merely chatting about our hopes, dreams, and wishes. Person A: We have a plan for that. Person B: Great. May I see it? Person A: What do you mean? Person B: Your plan. May I see it? May I […]
Hopes, Dreams, Wishes, and Plans
April 2nd, 2020 · No Comments
Tags: Communication · Conversation · Planning
You Started It
December 30th, 2019 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips Why are we arguing? You, or was it me, started it. And how do we have necessary discussions without starting an argument? We often perform better when united than when divided. (Often, not always.) We seem to divide when we argue. Who started the argument? You did. You raised the subject of […]
Tags: Conversation · Differences · Patience · Time
The Introduction
July 29th, 2019 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips How I wish to be introduced says much about myself and what I wish for myself and those around me. How do you wish someone would introduce you at work or at a social setting (gosh, there is a variety of these)? Here is something I would like to hear in the […]
Tags: Communication · Conversation · Influence · Information
Certainty, Doubt, and Arguing with Myself
July 1st, 2019 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips Some matters are certain in my mind. Others are a bit fuzzy behind a veil of doubt and cause me to argue with myself. There are times for both situations. Some things are fuzzy in my mind. I am not certain about them. I have to argue with myself. I start a […]
Tags: Clarity · Conversation · Questions · Thinking
We are Talking about This
June 17th, 2019 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips We are talking about this because this is what we are talking about now. The preacher—the person on TED talks, the motivational speaker, the person next to you at the bar— preaches on the topics that we talk about in the parking lot, the hall ways, the grocery store, etc. At work, […]
Tags: Conversation · Learning · Listening · Management · Notice · People
Weinberg Golf and Bundy Fishing
March 7th, 2019 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips Perhaps we can find enjoyment anywhere at any time. It is worth the attempt. Several years ago I had several conversations with the late Jerry Weinberg, one of the best computing consultants we ever had. Jerry told me about how he played golf. Jerry started playing the game most familiar to everyone. […]
Tags: Authentic · Clarity · Conversation · Fun · Ideas
Looking for an Interesting Conversation?
January 10th, 2019 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips There are several places I can always find an interesting person for an interesting and educational conversation. One is outside any neighborhood elementary school. My grandfather on my mother’s side outlived his wife by 20 years or so. That was and still is unusual. After a year alone, he needed a reason […]
Tags: Conversation · Learning
Dental School or Pulling Information
April 30th, 2018 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips Pulling information from colleagues can sometimes seem like pulling teeth. Why don’t they tell me what they are doing? Because “they” can’t read “my” mind. They don’t know what I feel is important today, what my boss is pinging on me for today. I have to ask. I have to pull the […]
Tags: Authentic · Communication · Conversation · Listening
Please Draw Me a Picture of This
April 16th, 2018 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips If we can’t provide a simple representation of a system, perhaps we have a mess and not a system. A: Can you draw me a picture of this? Something that shows how all the parts fit together? B: Uh, well, no. No one has ever asked for such. A: Well, I’m new […]
Tags: Communication · Conversation · Systems · Technology · Visibility
The Second or Third Request
January 25th, 2018 · No Comments
by Dwayne Phillips Sometimes you are best served and serving if you ignore a request or two. Me: The thing the boss just asked for, what is it? How do you do it? Older Co-worker: What? Oh never mind. Me: But the boss wants it, real quick, it is important. Right? Older Co-worker: Forget about […]
Tags: Conversation · Management