Category Archives: Comebacks

How To Respond When The Evidence Isn’t There

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

You may have noticed that what passes for evidence on televised news is often weak.  “Some people think” has replaced references to experts, research findings, testimony, perspectives advanced in books or highly regarded journals and even common wisdom.  I marvel, … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice Points, Comebacks, Politics | Leave a comment

The Compliment-Slap Trap

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

One of the more difficult comeback challenges occurs when people embed an insult in an otherwise seemingly pleasant conversation. It’s more common in cultures where directness is socially discouraged. You’re speaking with someone who appears to be pleased to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying, Comebacks, Gotcha! | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

When the Candidate’s a Woman

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

So what do you say as a woman when someone questions why you’ve decided not to support a certain female candidate?  It’s a silly question in a way, but as Sarah Palin contemplates entering the presidential candidate field, should we … Continue reading →

Posted in Comebacks, Politics, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Cost of Meanness

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

“It’s nothing personal; it’s just business” is something most of us have heard at work. It reflects the way degeneracy has crept into organizations.  It’s evidence of the mean streak I wrote about today at Huffington Post.  And we don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying, Comebacks | 3 Comments

Taunting and Verbal Sparring — Are They Not Your Style?

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Perhaps you listened to Here & Now on PBS today.  Professor Gary King of Harvard University was interviewed.  In a study involving 64,000 congressional press releases, he and his team discovered that our representatives taunt 27% of the time.  He … Continue reading →

Posted in Comebacks, Confrontation, Gotcha! | 1 Comment

Short-Cut Method To Long-Term Influence

Posted on April 19, 2011 by admin

In my persuasion writing, I introduced a method of formulating persuasive responses called The ACE Model.  Persuasion research indicates that most rational attempts to influence appeal to appropriateness, consistency or effectiveness of an action.  Appropriateness appeals focus on whether what … Continue reading →

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So Many Liars, So Little Time

Posted on April 17, 2011 by admin

I hate to be the one to say it but there are too many liars out there.  It comes so easily to so many and is celebrated so long as it leads to a win.  I’ve been writing about increasing … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying, Comebacks, Dust Ups, Uncool | Leave a comment

Comebacks Up Close — How to not be Predictable

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

This recent interview conducted by Jean Stafford describes a number of concepts in Comebacks at Work.  Much of what you’ll hear involves doing the unexpected rather than being predictable.  We are creatures of pattern and often react rather than respond. … Continue reading →

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Who Tends To Be Happier? A Thought For The Year Ahead

Posted on December 19, 2010 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Perhaps you read the “Economist” article about people being happier as they get older. It’s worth a read.  Here are a couple of excerpts to give you the general idea: Ask a bunch of 30-year-olds and another of 70-year-olds (as … Continue reading →

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Real Change Takes Effective Responses To Resistance

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

This post was inspired by a question on one of my linked-in groups about what it takes to bring about change.  First, research tells us that people often prefer to stick with the status quo even if they know it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Comebacks, Leadership | 1 Comment