by Tom Esch | Jan 3, 2017 | Uncomfortable Conversations, Blog
Have you heard the one about the monastery where the monks can only speak two words every ten years? A monk, after his first ten years, went to the abbot and said “Bed hard.” The abbot said “Bless you my son, go in peace.” Another ten years followed and the monk...
by Tom Esch | Jul 20, 2016 | How to Handle Polarizing Topics and Challenging People, Blog
July 2016 It has been a rough week in the USA. When so many innocent men are murdered, in the context of racial fear and revenge, it is frightening. The killings of Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota (about a mile from where I grew up), the Dallas...
by Tom Esch | Feb 22, 2016 | How to Handle Polarizing Topics and Challenging People, Blog
Unresolved cultural and racial tension is expensive on multiple levels. Are you worried about keeping good workers? Have some residents moved out? Are you concerned that your staff are not friendly enough Do they see their differences more than similarities? Do some...
by Tom Esch | Feb 8, 2016 | Interpersonal Communication, Blog
How to be both direct and truly nice? This is a conundrum for many of us. I am half Scandinavian and half Germanic, a classic Minnesotan. Fortunately I have lived in a few other places (including Africa and Guatemala) and have let other styles of communication rub off...
by Tom Esch | Jan 27, 2016 | Uncomfortable Conversations, Blog
So you are not getting along very well with that other person and your stress level is high. You have decided it is time for “The Bigga” conversation. Congratulations! It takes incredible courage to even seriously consider it especially in conflict-reticent...
