Ask permission to disagree

This step may sound overly deferential, but it’s a smart way to give the powerful person “psychological safety” and control.

• You can say something like, “I know we seem to be moving toward a first-quarter commitment here.

I have reasons to think that won’t work. I’d like ...

When we begin to meditate or to engage with any type of spiritual practice, we often think that in some way we’re going to improve, which is a subtle aggression against who we really are.

It’s kind of like saying, “If I jog, I’ll be a much better person.” Or the s...

• The very first response to give when someone gives you feedback should be a response of gratitude. Don’t get defensive. 
• Whether it’s praise, criticism or some other type of feedback, take the time to restate to the person giving it what you ...