This past week Steve Case, Founder of AOL, was in Denver for the “Rise of The Rest” tour, a “nationwide effort to work closely with entrepreneurs in emerging startup ecosystems.” Seven “Start-Ups” pitched and competed for $100,000 in new capital. In choosing to attend, I needed to be clear about how to make the most … Read more
Not too long ago a dear friend and I enjoyed conversational banter for almost ninety minutes on the phone. It had been a while since we’d connected. We shared fun stories about random stuff, touching also on a work challenge and my kids’ lives Yet for a few days afterwards, I had a nagging thought … Read more
Sometimes we just don’t understand another person’s viewpoint. We’re befuddled, even distressed. This is particularly evident during an election year. Many of us, myself included, shy away from making too many political references. Or, for others, posts on Facebook seem like the only safe place to be fervent. This past summer the “Nuns on the … Read more
Undoubtedly we will disagree with people. For whatever reason, we don’t see “eye- to-eye”. Around the table, we struggle to thoughtfully engage with our perceived adversaries. During an election year differences feel especially heightened, limiting the depth of our interactions. In our minds, consciously or subconsciously, we’ve already decided that meaningful conversations aren’t possible. Why … Read more
Every person can create and engage in thoughtful conversation around the table. When glancing around a friend’s back yard last weekend, filled with 24 guests for a “Summer Send Off “ party, I was amazed: each guest was fully participating in dialog with someone else. No one was quiet! Guests seemed to glide easily around … Read more
In the award-winning novel, A Little Life, by Hanya Yanagihara, two characters and dear friends, Willem and Jude, inspired me by their ability to conduct difficult conversations yet still maintain a strong love for one another. Jude, a victim of sexual assault, continually cuts himself as a way to pacify pain. Struggling to understand this … Read more
Have you ever gone to a gathering, surrounded by chatty guests, yet felt inexplicably alone? Although the room is full of happy people, conversations lag and you find it difficult to know what to say next. What has happened? Sometimes we lose our sense of wonder and appreciation for the gifts right in front of … Read more
As much as I treasure a delicious meal to host a gathering at home offers benefits beyond the food, gifts often overlooked. If work requires gathering at a restaurant, the same applies: bringing people together provides promises beyond what’s served on the plate. Even serving a favorite, boxed macaroni is fine if we’re enthused about … Read more
It hasn’t always been this way…that we could “Google map” the nearest coffee shop and quickly identify where to find our morning liquid gold. Only recently has coffee become readily available. In an interview with Phil Goodlaxson, owner of Corvus Coffee, he reminded me that coffee houses historically have been a place for political discussions, … Read more
When political topics come up around the table, there can be an elephant in the room. One guest voices a strong opinion, maybe too verbosely, and others respond, but not everyone. There’s quiet and then another comment and again some silence, signaling that not everyone at the table agrees. The environment has changed. Guests feel … Read more