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,...
Category Archives: Self Awareness
The 7 Dirty Words Holding you Back: Introduction
Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Our words: Should, Only, Just, Must, Always, Never, Except…be on guard for the dirty words: times when we are low on energy and looking for a quick and low effort expression of thought, these little rascals may creep in. George Carlin wrote and delivered a historic comedy bit about...
When you see anger… train yourself to look for pain.
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE Sometimes, when we are with someone who is experiencing strong emotions, the interaction is limited by the way those strong emotions may make us feel inside. Sometimes we fail to recognize that what we can see as the problem is only the symptom of a deeper problem. Sometimes we fail...
Given the choice between being right or effective… choose effective.
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE Have you ever found yourself in a disagreement with someone and it suddenly occurs to you that you are wrong… but then you continue to argue your point just so you do not have to admit you were wrong? I have. Categories
The Toxic Leader
Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP We’ve all heard the “Toxic Leader” term thrown around like a manhole cover. In fact, I made sure the title of this post was set off by the definite article, just to make The Toxic Leader seem even more like the antagonist in a monster movie. This term...
Beautiful people do not just happen…
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE When you see unusual kindness, compassion, and gentleness in others, understand there is always a story. Ask that person to tell you their story and you will invariably hear how they have experienced poor treatment and/or difficult times… and they don’t want others to feel what they have felt. “The...
If Everything Is Important, Nothing Is Important
Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Some timely holiday season coaching: BLUF: For some of us, a component of holiday stress comes from trying to squeeze everything in the Important/Urgent quadrant. Some practical tips1) Be brutally honest building your 2×2 Important/Urgent matrix.2) Ask the question: what happens if I delay doing this task (or just dump it entirely)?3) Is...
I will be happy when…
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE when I get good score on the MCAT. when I get into medical school. when I get a good score on the USMLE. when I get my residency of choice. when I get my fellowship of choice. when I am an attending. when… “Your problem is you are hoping that...
EVERYTHING IS AWESOME: Toxic Positivity
Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Positive Psychology…seriously, you? I just finished my training program and certification exams as a Positive Psychology Coach. Folks that know me may find it ironic that I pursued training in positive pscyhology. I’m generally regarded as the cynic or curmudgeon in most of my professional and social groups....
Leaders, choose your words carefully…
Paul M. Michaud MD, CPE I had a boss who when he wanted to see or talk with one of his subordinates he would email or text them…“Come see me.”or“Call me.”—Colleagues of mine would often come to me prior to responding to my boss to inquire if I had any idea what the message they...