What Color is the Language in Your Office?

I haven’t thought much about this lately as the offices I have been visiting the last few months seem to have little if any “blue” language.  However, in the Parade Magazine in our newspaper this week there was a short piece on “Gordon Ramsay, Meanest Man on TV?”  For those of you that might not know this TV personality, his shows are all blue language.  I don’t watch his show, however, on one of our recent visits to a hospital emergency room, his show was on.  I was surprised and offended.  There were a number of children present and felt that it was certainly inappropriate viewing for these young people.

Curse Words.jpg

Strictly Business: Body Language: Using Nonverbal Communication for Power and Success

Author: Jan Hargreaves

I saw Jan capture her audience for an hour and a half at the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas annual meeting in Austin, TX, in June 2007.  It seemed like we were there just minutes and everyone wanted more.  She is a fabulous communicator.  If you ever have the chance to see her don’t miss it.  In the meantime you should read this book.

The Three Signs of a Miserable Job

After reading this book I wrote “The Power of the Positive Audit” for The Anderson Agency ReportThe “The Power of the Positive Audit” takes the premise of this book and applies it to insurance agencies specifically.  This book shows us that Patrick Lencioni, renowned business consultant and bestselling author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, is on a critical mission to create widespread job satisfaction in a world full of workplace misery.

This is another must read for every owner, partner, manager and supervisor of any type of firm.  My two part article on “The Power of the Positive Audit” are available here:

acrobat20x20The Power of the Positive Audit – Part I

acrobat20x20The Power of the Positive Audit – Part II

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Book Review

This was my first Patrick Lencioni book.  Reading it opened my eyes to what I believe are often core issues that my clients face in operating their businesses.  I was fortunate to be able to attend Patrick’s Building Winning Teams Workshop in November 2007.  It was an awesome workshop.  I recommend this book to every agency I work with and I highly recommend Patrick’s workshop.