Lots of chirping on Twitter in recent days about good deeds inspired me to create a survey on volunteering.
I'll compile the results and comments and here, so check back!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Express yourself
I've been focusing lately on microexpressions, fleeting facial movements that underscore or undo someone's spoken message. Microexpressions help us tune into the emotional truth behind the words. (A prime example from a few years ago: The pleas from Sarah Smith for the return of her allegedly kidnapped little boys. Investigators observed that not only did her carjacking story not add up, her serene face did not match her anguished words. She eventually confessed to their murder.)
A lot of folks have been talking in recent days about facial expressions made by the presidential candidates during last week's debate: John McCain seems "too excitable"; Barack Obama seems "smug"; both can seem genuinely in touch or arrogant. So I found it interesting to watch Colin Powell talking on "Meet the Press" about how he evaluated these men over the past two years, then decided to endorse Obama.
As you watch it, focus on Powell's eyes and mouth. Does he smile or frown inappropriately? Scowl when he is saying something positive? Or do his face, words and emotions seem to be in sync? I'll let you be the judge.
A lot of folks have been talking in recent days about facial expressions made by the presidential candidates during last week's debate: John McCain seems "too excitable"; Barack Obama seems "smug"; both can seem genuinely in touch or arrogant. So I found it interesting to watch Colin Powell talking on "Meet the Press" about how he evaluated these men over the past two years, then decided to endorse Obama.
As you watch it, focus on Powell's eyes and mouth. Does he smile or frown inappropriately? Scowl when he is saying something positive? Or do his face, words and emotions seem to be in sync? I'll let you be the judge.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Standup candidates
It is wonderful to see smart politicians let voters in on their sense of humor. I wish they did it more often, because you can tell a lot about a person by what they find funny and how they tell a joke. (Kansas Sen. Bob Dole is much more likable and people-savvy than his stiff presidential campaign persona led people to believe.)
Thursday night's white-tie dinner bearing the name of Alfred E. Smith (a witty presidential candidate of the 1920s, not to be confused with Mad magazine's Alfred E. Newman!) was a great reminder that behind all the rhetoric, Barack Obama and John McCain are real men - with great writers! Check out these videos (and watch for Hillary Clinton in the audience, too!)
Thursday night's white-tie dinner bearing the name of Alfred E. Smith (a witty presidential candidate of the 1920s, not to be confused with Mad magazine's Alfred E. Newman!) was a great reminder that behind all the rhetoric, Barack Obama and John McCain are real men - with great writers! Check out these videos (and watch for Hillary Clinton in the audience, too!)
Contagious politics
With less than three weeks to Election Day, political signs are everywhere, with more popping up daily. Ever wonder why signs tend to be clumped in yards on one end of a block, or why next-door neighbors will publicize their disagreements to strangers driving by? If it seems that there's something more than politics going on, you're right.
Putting out a sign can be a powerful provocation to others — to rally to your candidate, or to declare their opposition. The phenomenon is called "goal contagion," explains Art Markman, a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas and Psychology Today blogger.
When someone puts out a political yard sign, the people who see it immediately understand the goal. This action leads others to be more likely to want to announce their own preference. This desire is likely to be particularly strong for one's neighbors, says Markman, because they see the sign every day.
You can also see the contagion at work in this story: When business leaders became vocal in their opposition to County Commission candidate Karl Peterjohn, "It inspired a backlash for Karl," Darrell Leffew told The Wichita Eagle. He recently put six pro-Peterjohn signs in his yard.
Putting out a sign can be a powerful provocation to others — to rally to your candidate, or to declare their opposition. The phenomenon is called "goal contagion," explains Art Markman, a cognitive scientist at the University of Texas and Psychology Today blogger.
When someone puts out a political yard sign, the people who see it immediately understand the goal. This action leads others to be more likely to want to announce their own preference. This desire is likely to be particularly strong for one's neighbors, says Markman, because they see the sign every day.
You can also see the contagion at work in this story: When business leaders became vocal in their opposition to County Commission candidate Karl Peterjohn, "It inspired a backlash for Karl," Darrell Leffew told The Wichita Eagle. He recently put six pro-Peterjohn signs in his yard.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
I've spent many a workday working through lunch, but my preference by far is to spend the lunch hour with a friend or two, talking about events of the day, laughing away a little stress and making plans to get
together again soon. That's why I enjoy Wichita lunch TweetUps, like the one Thursday that drew about 15 people. Some recent gatherings have drawn twice that many.
TweetUps inevitably are a dynamic mix of old and new friends and complete strangers who quickly become friends thanks to their online interaction via Twitter.com. At our long table were police detectives, graduate students, community group facilitators, a medical transcriptionist, a reporter, a couple of Web page designers, a couple of PR folks... A virtual community has become a very real one.
With a large group anchored to the table by food, it's only natural that the free-for-all conversation that is Twitter breaks down into a lot of 1-on-1s. Sometime soon, we're going to try a "SpeedTweetUp" that gets us moving around the table to talk to someone new every few minutes. Should be a hoot.
together again soon. That's why I enjoy Wichita lunch TweetUps, like the one Thursday that drew about 15 people. Some recent gatherings have drawn twice that many.
TweetUps inevitably are a dynamic mix of old and new friends and complete strangers who quickly become friends thanks to their online interaction via Twitter.com. At our long table were police detectives, graduate students, community group facilitators, a medical transcriptionist, a reporter, a couple of Web page designers, a couple of PR folks... A virtual community has become a very real one.
With a large group anchored to the table by food, it's only natural that the free-for-all conversation that is Twitter breaks down into a lot of 1-on-1s. Sometime soon, we're going to try a "SpeedTweetUp" that gets us moving around the table to talk to someone new every few minutes. Should be a hoot.
Friday, October 3, 2008
"WSTW:2" focuses on giving
Episode 2 of the new show "Wichita State & The World" hosted by provost Gary Miller debuts on Sunday evening, and reviewing the online excerpts today reminded me of how much I enjoyed sorting through video interviews with WSU engineering students to select material for it. (I'm the producer.)
Wow, what an impressive bunch.
Hearing college kids describe their experiences - the personal impact of scholarships, of mentoring from professors and professionals, of opportunities to work on real-world projects such as NASA in Kansas - made me proud(er) to be a WSU alum.
The episode, which focuses on how gifts to the WSU Foundation change lives, debuts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, on WSU TV, Channel 13 on Cox cable, with repeats Oct. 16, 19 and 30.
Wow, what an impressive bunch.
Hearing college kids describe their experiences - the personal impact of scholarships, of mentoring from professors and professionals, of opportunities to work on real-world projects such as NASA in Kansas - made me proud(er) to be a WSU alum.
The episode, which focuses on how gifts to the WSU Foundation change lives, debuts at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, on WSU TV, Channel 13 on Cox cable, with repeats Oct. 16, 19 and 30.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Listen and learn
A lot of my job - as a communications professional, as a parent, as a friend - is reading between the lines. Or mores precisely, listening between the lines.
Often it's not the question that is asked, but the concerns behind the question that need to be addressed.
"What are you working on today?" might be mere small talk, or it could be a sonar ping: "Do you have time for me? Are you too busy to talk to me? Am I important to you?"
When you talk with clients, family and friends, do you hear them? Are you sure? Try focusing your full attention on them (not your work, not yourself, not the long to-do list that is calling your name), and think before you automatically respond to questions. Tip: Ask "Why do you ask?" or "What's troubling you about that?" then listen. You may have your ears - and your eyes - opened. I know I have.
Often it's not the question that is asked, but the concerns behind the question that need to be addressed.
"What are you working on today?" might be mere small talk, or it could be a sonar ping: "Do you have time for me? Are you too busy to talk to me? Am I important to you?"
When you talk with clients, family and friends, do you hear them? Are you sure? Try focusing your full attention on them (not your work, not yourself, not the long to-do list that is calling your name), and think before you automatically respond to questions. Tip: Ask "Why do you ask?" or "What's troubling you about that?" then listen. You may have your ears - and your eyes - opened. I know I have.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Looking for work? Clear out online clutter
More Americans than ever are daily users of online social networking sites, and more employers are are plugging in, too. A new survey by CareerBuilder.com shows that 22 percent of employers search networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to screen job candidates. Another 9 percent plan to start soon. In 2006, only 11 percent of hiring managers screened using such Web searches.
In the new survey, of the hiring managers who peruse social networks, 34 percent reported finding information there that caused them to pass on a job candidate. More than 3,100 employers took part in the survey.
Areas of concern included:
- candidate posted information about them drinking or using drugs 41%
- candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information 40%
- candidate had poor communication skills 29%
- candidate bad-mouthed their previous company or co-worker 28%
- candidate lied about qualifications 27%
- candidate used discriminatory remarks related to race, gender, religion, etc. 22%
- candidate’s screen name was unprofessional 22%
- candidate was linked to criminal behavior 21%
- candidate shared confidential information from previous employers 19%
But this doesn't mean we should all shut down our social sites. In addition to FB, I know many professionals who swear by LinkedIn, and I have found Twitter to be not just fun but a terrific way to connect with professionals of all stripes in Wichita - online and at weekly TweetUps, where friendships and business contacts are forged.
Indeed, the survey showed that social networking profiles gave some job seekers an edge. Of hiring managers who researched job candidates via social networking sites, 24 percent said they found content that helped to solidify their decision to hire the candidate.
Top factors that influenced their hiring decision included:
- candidate’s background supported their qualifications for the job 48%
- candidate had great communication skills 43%
- candidate was a good fit for the company’s culture 40%
- candidate’s site conveyed a professional image 36%
- candidate had great references posted about them by others 31%
- candidate showed a wide range of interests 30%
- candidate received awards and accolades 29%
- candidate’s profile was creative 24%
My former newspaper colleagues refer to online as a publishing platform. It has unique attributes, but that's what it is: A way to publish, to reach mass audiences. In their view, it can be edgier than the mainstream paper, but it's not boundless. Newspaper editors know what it's like to have to handle phone calls from readers who are angry or upset by what seemed innocuous the night before.
Job candidates might learn something from The Gatekeepers, as editors used to be known. Because the price they'll pay for indescretion might be worse than difficult phone calls - it could be no calls at all.
In the new survey, of the hiring managers who peruse social networks, 34 percent reported finding information there that caused them to pass on a job candidate. More than 3,100 employers took part in the survey.
Areas of concern included:
- candidate posted information about them drinking or using drugs 41%
- candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information 40%
- candidate had poor communication skills 29%
- candidate bad-mouthed their previous company or co-worker 28%
- candidate lied about qualifications 27%
- candidate used discriminatory remarks related to race, gender, religion, etc. 22%
- candidate’s screen name was unprofessional 22%
- candidate was linked to criminal behavior 21%
- candidate shared confidential information from previous employers 19%
But this doesn't mean we should all shut down our social sites. In addition to FB, I know many professionals who swear by LinkedIn, and I have found Twitter to be not just fun but a terrific way to connect with professionals of all stripes in Wichita - online and at weekly TweetUps, where friendships and business contacts are forged.
Indeed, the survey showed that social networking profiles gave some job seekers an edge. Of hiring managers who researched job candidates via social networking sites, 24 percent said they found content that helped to solidify their decision to hire the candidate.
Top factors that influenced their hiring decision included:
- candidate’s background supported their qualifications for the job 48%
- candidate had great communication skills 43%
- candidate was a good fit for the company’s culture 40%
- candidate’s site conveyed a professional image 36%
- candidate had great references posted about them by others 31%
- candidate showed a wide range of interests 30%
- candidate received awards and accolades 29%
- candidate’s profile was creative 24%
My former newspaper colleagues refer to online as a publishing platform. It has unique attributes, but that's what it is: A way to publish, to reach mass audiences. In their view, it can be edgier than the mainstream paper, but it's not boundless. Newspaper editors know what it's like to have to handle phone calls from readers who are angry or upset by what seemed innocuous the night before.
Job candidates might learn something from The Gatekeepers, as editors used to be known. Because the price they'll pay for indescretion might be worse than difficult phone calls - it could be no calls at all.
Friday, September 5, 2008
A new series
I'm excited about seeing one of my big projects on the air! The fall season of "Wichita State & The World" kicks off on Sunday, Sept. 7, with an episode that features Associate Provost David McDonald of WSU and Paul Wooley of the Orthopaedic Research Institute at Via Christi talking about biomedical composites research and its impact on business and medicine.
"Wichita State & The World," hosted by Provost Gary Miller, is a series that examines how Kansas' only urban-serving research university is changing our community, our nation and the world. It's on WSU TV, Channel 13 on Cox Cable.
Episode 1 airs at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, with repeats at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18; Sunday, Sept. 21; and Thursday, Oct. 2.
You'll find more information about this and upcoming episodes at www.wichita.edu/provost.
"Wichita State & The World," hosted by Provost Gary Miller, is a series that examines how Kansas' only urban-serving research university is changing our community, our nation and the world. It's on WSU TV, Channel 13 on Cox Cable.
Episode 1 airs at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, with repeats at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18; Sunday, Sept. 21; and Thursday, Oct. 2.
You'll find more information about this and upcoming episodes at www.wichita.edu/provost.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Rover, Fido or Izzy?
Best friend adopted a shelter dog today - pre-named Izzy. Odd name for a girl, and a golden retriever, we think, tho my friend says "she kinda looks like an Izzy." 
That's the fascinating thing about names: They have connotation and undefinable mojo. And they have the power to attract and repell. There is a certain boy's name that I could swear is a marker for ADHD -- I've yet to meet a child with this particular moniker who didn't exhibit the signs -- but it continues to be wildly popular with other parents, so maybe it's just me. Then again, the only Izzy I can recall was a pretty cool character in the novel "Fried Green Tomatoes," so that name is growing on me.
That's the fascinating thing about names: They have connotation and undefinable mojo. And they have the power to attract and repell. There is a certain boy's name that I could swear is a marker for ADHD -- I've yet to meet a child with this particular moniker who didn't exhibit the signs -- but it continues to be wildly popular with other parents, so maybe it's just me. Then again, the only Izzy I can recall was a pretty cool character in the novel "Fried Green Tomatoes," so that name is growing on me.
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