Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction In the last post, we talked about that moment when something sounds wrong—the face scrunch, the irritation, the immediate certainty that what you’re reading or hearing doesn’t hold up. The problem doesn’t stop with what you’re reacting to. It includes what you’re about to become if you...
Category Archives: Communication
Imprecision in Thought Part 1 When Something Sounds Wrong—But You Can’t Explain Why
Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction Don’t ya just love those moments where you start out certain you know what to do, and then a quick pause to check that all systems are “go” gives you some unexpected clarity—and you realize you’re about to make a colossal blunder? Picture this—I’m wiling away a...
The most important thing is…
Trapped in the Mirrors: Why Leaders Can’t Please Everyone
Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction Feedback is a mirror. Last time, we talked about what happens when you refuse to look—the cost of ignoring feedback that is valid, actionable, and desirable. But that was a single source of feedback, or multiple sources showing the same reflection. Another trap emerges from multiple mirrors...
Ignoring the Mirror: Why We Resist Feedback and Growth
Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction We previously defined feedback as the key enabling behavior of true mentorship. Good feedback acts as a mirror, reflecting something about us that we may not see on our own, and provides a pathway to change, grow, and improve. But what happens when you don’t like the reflection?...
When you see anger… train yourself to look for pain.
https://youtube.com/shorts/R8oqlgWizG8?si=DYXv8hG6PLmI5pUH “Anger is often what pain looks like when it shows itself in public.” – Krista Tippett – Book: I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression by Terrence Real
If it is important… it is today.
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE Your problem is you think you have time. You can always wait until tomorrow… until you can’t. It is unlikely that tomorrow will be better than today, and often, that thing you are putting off does not get better with time… but worse. It is also possible that tomorrow may...
You are allowed to dislike some things people do while loving all of the rest of them.
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE Sometimes when we are struggling with a relationship it is because we are defining the other person by their worst moments. The problem with this approach is that there is no one that can live up to a perfect standard. Other people are complex and imperfect… just like you. You...
“Do you believe she is a good person?”
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE When I was about 17, I saw my younger sister, Monique, smoking on our front porch…again. I decided to confront my Dad… Me: How could you allow her to smoke right in front of you. She is disrespecting you and embarrassing our family in front of the whole neighborhood and,...
If the relationship is strong, you can say anything. If the relationship is weak, there is nothing you can say.
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE You have likely been given the advice, “Choose your words wisely” and “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” This is useful advice. However, consider these 2 situations… Have you ever been in a situation where it seemed like no matter what words you used or how...