Just Saying - The BRIEF Lab

When leaders give an order or provide direction, they’re frequently far from clear. Why is it so uncommon for leaders to be understood? Links: BRIEF Map download link: thebrieflab.com/tools Online article – https://personalmba.com/commanders-intent/ Military article – https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a522123.pdf The post Episode 73 – Why commander’s intent drives subordinates...

As the saying goes, when you least expect it, expect it. Here’s what you can do to be ready when everyone else is caught off guard. Links: Impromptu: http://www.gbv.de/dms/zbw/896726819.pdf The post Episode 72 – Preparing for chance conversations appeared first on Just Saying .

Gratitude is the engine that drives people forward when everyone else gets stuck spinning their wheels. The post Episode 71 – It’s a good time to say thanks appeared first on Just Saying .

How can we plan for significantly better meetings, ones that don’t make people angry but help them get important things done? Links: BRIEF Map download link: thebrieflab.com/tools The post Episode 70 – Meeting agenda design appeared first on Just Saying .

If you’re watching television and the sound gets too loud, you grab the remote control and hit mute. What if you could do that for all the noise in and around you? Links: NOISE music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-VAXRC_hxk Remote control fails (funny, long video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aadof0Dns9w&vl=en The post Episode 69 – Hitting mute more often in your life appeared fi...

After-action reviews (AARs) are feedback sessions meant for groups to make important adjustments and improvements after meetings, training or missions. They are often a waste of time and need to be fixed. Links: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/After-action_review The post Episode 68 – Why do AAR’s frequently fail? appeared first on Just Saying .

In a moment of serious difficulty, pain, challenge or set back, can you hear the rising voice of an inner critic? How can we change that negative influence? Links: INC magazine article: https://www.inc.com/chris-winfield/is-stomping-ants-the-key-to-living-a-happier-life.html   The post Episode 67 – Talking yourself through adversity appeared first on Just Saying .

Insights are a powerful force behind the best ideas (and best comedy), yet many of us struggle not only to define the term but also to develop how we discover them. Links: Thrive: Jim Gaffigan and Bacon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoTS0hvWDW8 The post Episode 66 – What’s an insight and why do they matter? appeared first on Just Saying .

A declassified World War II OSS/CIA field manual shares hidden instructions that guided average citizens to subvert their own employers. Today, it reads like an operating manual for a typical organization. Links: OSS Field Manual summary: https://www.businessinsider.com/oss-manual-sabotage-productivity-2015-11 OSS Field Manual: https://thebrieflab.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/oss_simple_sabotage...

How can we learn to put more balance back into our meetings, presentations and conversations? It turns out two different sports hold the answer. Links: Famous tennis rally: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLDm254jtZA The post Episode 64 – More like tennis, less like golf appeared first on Just Saying .

Why are most of us are not naturally gifted at crafting great questions? After all, it’s the key to unlocking better conversations and building stronger connections. Links: A deep dive into better questions: http://scottberkun.com/2018/how-and-why-to-ask-better-questions/ TedX Talk: How to ask better questions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8xfuCcXZu8 The post Episode 63 – Asking much better que...

Napoleon turned to his corporal to check if the battle plan could be easily explained. Why are so many leaders destined for defeat before they even begin?   Links: Napoleon’s Corporal explained: https://awealthofcommonsense.com/2016/04/napoleons-corporal/ Corporate jargon “unpacked” video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ab2ZeZ-krY The post Episode 62 – I couldn’t articulate the strategy app...

Our open work environments are a battle of fostering creativity and collaboration versus privacy and protection from constant distractions. Links: Office space scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNai8OYhdxA The post Episode 61 – The failure of open floor plans appeared first on Just Saying .

Have you ever heard of “the Irish goodbye?” Learn what it takes to master those difficult farewell moments we all need to face. Links: Hollywood hates goodbyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDJbllu1wdU The post Episode 60 – Time to say goodbye appeared first on Just Saying .

A recent hurricane forced thousands in the Carolinas from their homes. It also forced many of them off their phones to talk with each other. Links: Bored game warning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eWdJ8HY2dE The post Episode 59 – It takes a hurricane to get people to talk appeared first on Just Saying .

A scene from the animated movie “Inside Out” inspires a deeper dive into the power of feelings to reshape what we think is real. Links: Emotion wheel graphic: https://goo.gl/images/8odR6Z “Inside Out” trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRUAzGQ3nSY “Inside Out” facts and opinions scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sav2L2E38XA The post Episode 58 – Perception management: facts and feelings...

What do you call it when you make an up-front promise regarding how much time you’ll take? It will take more than a minute to find out. Links: It doesn’t mean talking faster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha9-Y_NX1JA The post Episode 57 – Is “time posting” a word? appeared first on Just Saying .

Precise communicators, like snipers, hit the target consistently because they take careful aim. Learn how shooting and speaking relate. Links: Scene from “The Patriot”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8FTbA38yuc   The post Episode 56 – Aim small, miss small appeared first on Just Saying .

So many people ask me about body language. Let’s dive into why an interview scene from Talladega Nights can set you straight. Video Clip :  www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8PP3QU7wjI   The post Episode 55 – What to do with my hands? appeared first on Just Saying .

Learn the basics of awareness management, a vital skill to direct the most precious commodity we have: our attention.   The post Episode 54 – Tune into AM 101 appeared first on Just Saying .

Words that are meant to inspire can often create the “Matt Foley, motivational speaker” effect. Take a look at what’s really at play Matt Foley :  https://youtu.be/1LyqPdZjQTY Put That Coffee Down! :  https://youtu.be/r6Lf8GtMe4M Bluto’s Big Speech :  https://youtu.be/q7vtWB4owdE   The post Episode 53 – Motivational speeches might help the other team appeared first on Just Saying .

Learn to get others around you to dial in quickly with a few basics of focus management (FM), an important skill set in our daily lives. The post Episode 52 – Tune into FM 101 appeared first on Just Saying .

Why do so many people loathe getting and giving feedback? Let’s tackle a tough issue that we all need to improve. The post Episode 51 – Hating the gift of feedback appeared first on Just Saying .

Any car ride can provide a quick way to gauge if your conversations are on track, or driving people crazy. Step in and see. The post Episode 50 – The Uber talk test appeared first on Just Saying .

There’s power in this short, negative word. Let’s explore some tough steps to tune in by choosing how to tune out. The post Episode 49 – Saying no appeared first on Just Saying .