Posts By Dick Davies

Applause

When I go to a meeting and it’s time to applaud, I applaud. I often get the group started, as everyone is hanging, waiting for a cue. I’ve given up wondering if starting the applause is politically correct, over egoed, or disruptive. I start the applause because it increases meeting velocity, supports the presenter, andRead… Read more »

Reasons

“There are reasons and results” comes from the personal growth movement. It means there are infinite reasons for not getting your results and they are all equally invalid. Reasons need to be overcome to achieve your goal. In this context, reasons are not good. “You buy on emotion and justify with reasons” is an observationRead… Read more »

Getting Experience

Last week the Washington Academy of Sciences Junior Academy made over 95 awards to scientists at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring Maryland. Remarks from the presentation ceremony. On behalf of the Washington Academy of Sciences, I would like to congratulate all the winners in the 2011 Montgomery Blair Poster Symposium. Good job! NowRead… Read more »

Masada Game Theory

I was explaining game theory to a persistent optimist. “If you’re not going to do business with someone again, take him for all he is worth.” The optimist replied, “Why would you do that?” A very successful person, couldn’t see the point of game theory. I am seeing a lot of this “game theory” beingRead… Read more »

Story Frameworks

The right framework to organize a story can go a long way to improving its value. Dana Blankenhorn buzzed: Notice the new way of newswriting? Inverted pyramids out. Now news stories read like live blogs Feb 4 Dick Davies – And how is “blog writing” different?Feb 5 Dana Blankenhorn – A single blog entry isRead… Read more »

Science and America

Dick’s remarks at the St Charles School Science Fair Awards Ceremony. On behalf of my colleagues today and the Washington Academy of Sciences, I would like to thank you for inviting us to today’s St Charles School Science Fair. Judging new scientists is fun for us older scientists, that’s why my colleagues and I keepRead… Read more »

Don’t Just Talk!

“Talk is cheap” and it doesn’t require planning or preparation or understanding. No wonder there is so much of it. Listening is effective for changing someone’s thinking, and is often necessary…but not sufficient. When it’s your turn to lead the conversation, what can you do that gives you a better value for your limited time?Read… Read more »

Becoming A Trusted Source

Steve Rubel’s blog A Devaluation of “Friends” May Be Driving Trust in Thought Leaders says “someone like me” and regular employees are losing authority to experts. “Trust in credentialed experts (70%) and company technical specialists (64%) is soaring” I think that is certainly true and a maybe pinhole look at what is going on. AllowRead… Read more »

Where Is Your Focus?

One of my favorite clients had a breakthrough meeting last week. He was getting all caught up in scoring his work, and what his management thought of him, and how he should report his results. Finally he said, “I’m going to rant for just a minute, and then I’m going back to focusing on production.”Read… Read more »