Dr. Riedy's Random Thoughts

In this piece I argue children can and should be taught how to recognize choices they make are decisions and that making decisions is a skill no different from sports or music or foreign languages. With training and practice decision–making skills can be improved dramatically and create life-long benefits. Training should begin as early as grammar school and continue through high school, evolving always to be age-appropriate, but in a formalized and structured program involving both teachers and parents. Further, making decisions sometimes leads to successful outcomes and other times leads to failures.  Truth be told, we can learn a great deal from our successes, but we probably learn even more from our failures. Children need to learn it is OK to fail. I’m thinking about writing a separate blog piece addressing the “it’s OK to fail, kids” issue.  On my career journey to becoming a senior executive I learned to make choices/decisions the old-fashioned way—by the s...

Time for ourselves has become a rare and highly valuable commodity.  In this post I start by highlighting  unique perspectives on the availability of time for ourselves, then list a few of my pet peeves—ways in which others rob us of time and our ability to make the most of it. Thinking about the importance of reserving time for ourselves I’m always reminded of a conversation I had with (the late) Jim Rouse, at that time one of America’s true pioneers of planned communities (Columbia, Maryland) and regional shopping malls. I asked if he would be willing to fly from Baltimore to San Diego, on the occasion of the dedication of the Ernest W. Hahn Endowed Chair in Real Estate Finance at the University of San Diego, to speak on behalf of his good friend and fellow mall developer, Ernie Hahn. I was to be the first holder of the Hahn Chair. Because I knew Jim I hoped he might agree to honor his friend Ernie by speaking at the dedication. Rouse, at that time aged 80+, was...

I enjoy the two minutes it takes to read cartoons in the daily paper, especially when one strikes a chord, as did the "Luann" cartoon authored by Greg Evans today.  In it, Luann says "I'm so tired of trying to get my dad's attention and approval.  I feel like I'm always competing--at home, at school, with other girls.  I'm just exhausted."  We live in an interconnected digital world, but one becoming increasingly depersonalized. Yet we all want to be loved and appreciated by others, or recognized for our "worth" as individuals and/or for our accomplishments--preferably in-person. Whether it's a hug, high-five or pat on the back, coming from someone we respect and delivered with sincerity, it's a feeling like no other.  Further, in a era where children now "earn" trophies and ribbons just for showing up, to have real meaning feedback must be credible in addition to being sincere. Delivering feedback with false sincerity, is...

I cannot resist adding my two cents worth to the public debate surrounding protests of the American flag and national anthem. I believe the negative  impact  of the actions of these sports celebrity protesters is being underestimated.  I also believe the methods  (kneeling, sitting, etc.) used by those individuals are producing unintended consequences whose negatives at the national level substantially outweigh whatever positives the protesters hope to achieve at the local level. Like termites their impact is eating away at the foundations of American democracy. But I am getting ahead of myself. To set the stage let me make it clear I love America, the American flag, our national anthem and the right to exercise free speech, among other freedoms.  Protest is a protected tradition. I hope this is unequivocal, before I get to the "however". HOWEVER..... I wholeheartedly disagree with the way NFL, NBA and other sports celebrities are going about their protests ...

The term "media relations" historically referred to dealing with reporters and other professional interviewers, issuing press releases and holding press conferences.--everything except using social media.  The use and misuse of social media are fertile grounds for a future post, for sure, especially in light of their current popularity at the White House, but not today. Instead, there are several practical thoughts I'd like to make for those who use media relations from time to time to communicate a message to others. This post, Part 1, covers dealing with reporters and media outlets whose objectivity is questionable and about never, ever, going "off the record".  Part 2 will cover preserving your reputation and credibility, making your key points effectively, and a few do's and don'ts during interviews. When media objectivity is suspect:   I'm being polite here. The Walter Cronkite's of the media world are few and far between today, especial...

Everyone does public speaking in one way or another, whether a formal presentation to an audience of 500 industry professionals or leading a book club discussion.  If you really care about delivering a message effectively, read on. Don't get caught up in using the "right" words or phrases in a first draft.  Don't labor over following a preconceived outline of your major points.  Simply sit down and put your pen to paper--write the first thoughts that come to mind.  If you get fixated on the outline or phrasing at the start of drafting you'll never finish. Fine-tuning and revisions can come later, once you are satisfied with the core message. If something is not relevant or does not advance your message, chances are it does not belong in the draft. After completing the draft I go back to see if the core message comes through clearly and the topics flow logically.  I also read the draft aloud to eliminate words and phrases that are tongue-twisters. On a practic...

            There is a great deal of truth in the saying, “Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance”.  As a public speaker generally you control most of what happens during the presentation. If something unexpected or  uncontrollable does happen, however, react calmly and intelligently.   Keep your cool and consider your options. If you can handle the situation do so. If not, hopefully those in charge of the program will be alert and able to resolve whatever needs fixing while you pause and wait for their cue what to do next.                 What follows in this and several subsequent posts are my thoughts on the Do’s and Don’ts in situations that are controllable. Then I’ll cover what to do or not do when the uncontrollable happens.  Where you can exercise control , do so.  I practice what I preach,  Some of the most important things I believe you should...