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Turning Potential Into Results

What teaching taught me

By Camille Smith / August 27, 2013

From 1970-80, I taught high school English in Columbus, Ohio. School was designed to move kids through the system and teachers were there to make that happen. Both teachers and students did their best, given the system. I loved teaching and my students. I taught because I wanted to contribute to someone developing competencies that…

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She took the concern right out of my mouth

By Camille Smith / July 23, 2013

I learned 2 communication tips from my dentist last week. (Just by seeing the word “dentist”, you got the shivers, right?  So much for being in control.)  I was having a crack in a tooth filled. When my dentist removed the Q-tip that had the pre- numbing agent on it, I closed my eyes.  Why?…

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Been nudged lately?

By Camille Smith / June 4, 2013

I got a D in English when I was a sophomore in high school.  I don’t remember who my teacher was or if I liked him or her. I don’t remember who I sat next to in class.  I don’t remember being yelled at by mom or dad; it’s likely they expressed their deep, deep…

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What’s in your compass?

By Camille Smith / May 13, 2013

Hear any of these lately? We value integrity. People before profits. Teamwork. Responsibility. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Zero waste. Value diversity. Think Global, Act Local.  These are samples of guiding principles which, whether spoken out loud or not, influence behavior. Guiding principles exist at many levels – individual,…

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How to Complain like a Champion

By Camille Smith / April 17, 2013

Many of our daily conversations are filled with complaints.   At work, our complaints sound like … “Bill’s cluttered workspace drives me nuts!”, “I wish Mary would stand up for herself, she makes all us women look bad.”, “The boss never says anything to the Sales guy when he’s late to meetings, but he call me…

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The Question Determines the Answer

By Camille Smith / March 10, 2013

The popular phrase “What’s wrong with this picture?” doesn’t always help us to get things “right.” Things don’t always go as planned.  We run out of gas. Miss our daughter’s play. Miss a connecting flight. Get laid off. Have cold lunchmeat for Thanksgiving because the power went out before the bird cooked. When something happens…

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Got Power? Which kind?

By Camille Smith / February 21, 2013

Dictionary.com defines power as a person or thing that possesses or exercises authority or influence. To this, I’m adding to get something done.  Sounds like a basic definition of business. As such, I think it’s worth exploring what kind of power is being used to get what kind of work done. While a conversation about…

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Be “Neo”: Take the red pill

By Camille Smith / January 30, 2013

If you’re exhausted by being connected 24/7, this message is for you. If worried you’ll be seen as a slacker if you don’t answer every email within 14 minutes, this message is for you. If you’re tweeting, liking and pinning multiple times a day because you don’t want to miss anything, then my message is…

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They’re coming! Whoa..They’re here!

By Camille Smith / December 3, 2012

The Holidays.  Family gatherings.  Gift giving.  Travel. Perhaps just reading these words stresses you out a little.   If I added “The Mall” to the list, I’m betting “a little” might be replaced by “a lot”!  Regardless of what this season means to you, whether you are looking forward to it or pulling up the cushions…

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Find your edge, Ring your bell

By Camille Smith / October 23, 2012

When visiting last week, my two AZ nieces demonstrated the job of a kid: try stuff and see what happens.  It’s a job for adults, too. The 7 and 10 year-old were in constant motion – boogie boarding, cart wheeling, tree climbing. We took them to the Pacific Edge. Fearlessly and with big grins, they…

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