We are all glued to our smartphones and constantly connected to tools that drive collaborative teamwork. But when you add it all up, is it too much? Is it reasonable, or even desirable, to want to detox from devices and cleanse from collaboration tools like Slack and MS Teams. An article in Harvard Business Review got me thinking of a way through it, around it and away from it.

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During a recent trip while waiting to board my flight, I accidentally overheard a businessman’s frustrating phone call with colleagues. In this episode, I unpack why I decided to eavesdrop and not to offer my help, although he desperately needed it. The whole incident inspired me to think back to a guessing game that is fun at home, but pretty frustrating at work.

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Our 300th episode is not only a milestone but also an opportunity to look forward. Over the past few seasons, I have commented on substantial changes in how we communicate, the volume of information (most of it is noise), and the need for protected professional boundaries. This week, we take a brief pause to celebrate and a moment to highlight how and where we work is undergoing a sea change.

https://quietworksthebook.com/

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There’s so much news that’s not fit to print. What seems initially newsworthy ends up being only noise. Although we all want to be well informed (who doesn’t?), we need to be prepared with concrete criteria to decipher what’s worth our time and attention vs. what is useless information. 

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Can you remember going to an offsite meeting that was filled with high expectations of lively discussions and important breakthroughs, only to discover the agenda was a mess? The schedule was entirely filled with tons of talking and there were no moments set aside for thinking, preparation, or resolutions? In this week’s episode, I suggest semi-silent offsite meetings as a distinctive way to provide vibrant time to converge in conversation together, as well as time to diverge in quiet alone to process, prepare, rest, and reflect. 

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Many professionals communicate daily without thinking very much about what they are going to say or write before they do it. Though there are many reasons why this seems acceptable, it isn’t. People proudly wear a badge of busyness, frequently communicate off–the–cuff, and create havoc along the way. In this episode, I provide three scenarios where professionals might think this will fly (there are many more, of course) and provide suggestions about how to avoid crashing and burning.  

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In this episode, I dive deep into the song “Trouble” by Coldplay to explore the connection between thinking, talking, and doing. I discuss how the song inspired me to help you avoid a web of confusion when these three elements are out of order. I share my motto and mantra of “think first, then talk, then do.” I underscore the critical relationship between clear thinking, concise communication, and confident action.

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Talkative teachers turn learning into a painful chore. In this episode, I discuss the problem of instructors talking far too much and offer a few insights on how to create a more effective and engaging learning experience through trimming. The key is to see instruction more like facilitation delivered through personal conversations and practical experiences, not long lectures. I share a “SEED” method I’ve developed in our BELT courses to balance instructor and participant involvement. Join us as we explore the philosophy of “less is more” in teaching.

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Everyone acts like they’re waiting on standby for the next emergency call. In this episode, I discuss the importance of being able to disconnect and have uninterrupted quiet time. By challenging our belief that everything is urgent and important, and nothing can wait, I revisit the Eisenhower Principle and Stephen Covey’s quadrant to help us prioritize and define what is actually urgent and important. I offer practical tips for setting boundaries and saying “no, not now” more often.

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Welcome to this week’s podcast, where we explore the value of silence and intentional communication. As your host, I share seven sayings on the power of silence and how it can enhance our professional lives. Join me as we discuss historical and noteworthy perspectives on the challenges, benefits, and practical strategies to incorporate quiet moments into our daily routines. Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation that will inspire you to embrace the power of silence.

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