Cornerstones features the writings of Jennifer StJohn and the Fusion Group editorial team. Enjoy these insightful and engaging essays for a different take on business, life and the pursuit of success and serenity.
Last Things First!
“Children, we’re taking the play on the road next week. This week, we pack the set and the costumes. Each of you has your own “tub” to pack. Make sure your character name is on the tub, and pack your entire costume and prop set! Listen very carefully now! The first thing you’ll put on during costume change is packed LAST! So the Actors’ Rule for Packing is: ‘Last
[…]
This Call is Being Recorded!
“Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent!”
Dionysius of Halicarnassus
Greek historian, rhetorician
BC 60 — BC 7
(Flourished during the reign of Caesar Augustus)
If you knew that the entirety of your phone conversations were to be recorded, wouldn’t you conduct yourself differently?
This isn’t an article about the NSA, but about two aspects of phone communication we think are due for improvement:
1.
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“It’s the Culture, Stupid!”
“The Shepherd does not despise the sheep.”
– Biblical Proverb
“It will be the policy of this organization that to refer to a client as muppet, puppet, crumpet or strumpet, will be a firing offense.”
Friends,
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Withstanding the Silence
“The challenge isn’t knowing what to say, or sell; but to “withstand the silence” that comes when you ask a thoughtful question.”
– J. R. St. John
Speaker, Consultant, Executive Counselor
Founder of The Fusion Group
(1952 – )
The Problem: Passive Listening
It’s the way we do it without thinking — or training…Reading in the den with a Beethoven symphony…
The Number Three
“Today’s column is brought to you by the number Three!”
-Spoken by Big Bird on “Sesame Street”
Children’s Television Workshop
It’s odd. And yet, it’s evenly balanced — on three legs. It’s symmetrical, and strangely
