Communication

The existence of effective, ineffective and incorrect communication implies the existence of effective, ineffective and incorrect listening. The existence of effective, ineffective and incorrect leadership implies the existence of effective, ineffective and incorrect following. The latter sets are the foundational skillsets for “communication skills”. Teaching this in the wrong order leads to many of the … 

 

Self Esteem

A foundational obstacle to self-esteem which undermines any amount of internal work or external achievement: Asking for permission to exist, thinking that any interaction with another’s existence is an intrusion on you or them until proven otherwise. There are a couple of ways this expresses itself: Treating yourself as unwelcome by default in every space … 

 

Unique

Everything everyone does is a trick, a conspiracy or *unforgivable* incompetence. Except you, of course. Only you (or your friends) are earnest & rational. And when you mess up, especially when stressed, you deserve benefit of the doubt, because humans make mistakes. *Your* decisions have to be evaluated fairly, in context. And if these are … 

 

Love

Ask a partner or an amicable ex whom you had a real connection with about a picture they find themselves looking at or remembering you by: it’s always going to be something plain, blurry, goofy, cute, dressed down, overly cheerful, cheesy, dangerous or even downright ugly. The little insignificant notes, every hurried scribble and todo …