Category Archives: Choice Points

Vulnerability as a Skill

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

“The Power of Vulnerability” is my latest post on Big Think.  We don’t often think of vulnerability as anything other than something to be avoided.  Yet, communication cannot work effectively if none of the parties involved is willing to relinquish … Continue reading →

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Navigating This Blog (Also a few thoughts on insult vs. offense)

Posted on February 14, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Thought I’d remind anyone coming by for the first time that categories of blog types are listed in the right column of this page.  If you’re looking for more on communication or suggestions specific to women, for example, you can … Continue reading →

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Four Crucial Communication Resolutions for 2014

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

This is the season for resolutions.  With regard to communication at work, with friends, and at home here are a few that will make an immediate difference: (1) Recognize the patterns you slip into with others.  Consider how you contribute … Continue reading →

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The Holiday Gift of No Arguments and How To Pull That Off

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

We’re entering the season of URPs or UREPs if it helps to remember the “E” for episodes (Unwanted repetitive episodes) in our conversations.  As you may have read in The Secret Handshake and It’s All Politics and in the story … Continue reading →

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Google VP Megan Smith and URPs in the Way of Women Engineers

Posted on October 27, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

My last blog looked at the challenges women in academia face getting ahead in a number of fields.  Rather than conscious discrimination, though that exists, women business and academic leaders are talking about unconscious patterns or habits that keep women … Continue reading →

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A Persuasion Case Study: Hillary Clinton and Benghazi

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

In case you didn’t get a chance to read my recent post, I’m adding it here.  Whether you are a supporter of Hillary Clinton or not, you may find some useful thoughts about dealing with a huge issue in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice Points, Politics | 2 Comments

Just Another Day of Assumptions, Inferences and Judgments

Posted on August 23, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

I was listening yesterday to a former debater describe how difficult it is for young people to understand the importance of providing credible support for what they say in an era when even the most established of sources get away … Continue reading →

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Is Your Child Going Off To College? Know The Politics Going In

Posted on August 12, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

It’s only natural with teenagers and young adults heading off to college or returning that you wonder what goes on behind the scenes.  Sometimes you’re just so pleased about their promise, that any thought about politics within departments is the … Continue reading →

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Leadership Tutorial V (for women) — You Want to Get Ahead? Keep a Journal.

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Memory fades.  Recent research indicates that the process begins much earlier than we might think.  Given this and the lying-for-the-larger-good perspective prevalent in most highly and pathologically political organizations, to protect yourself and your career advancement start keeping a record … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice Points, Politics, Tutorials for Women, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

When and How Women Should Say “No” to Go-Nowhere Projects at Work

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

I posted a blog today on Huffington Post in response to views Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, has expressed in advance of the release of her new book, Lean In.  In part of that blog, I wrote about how important … Continue reading →

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