Category Archives: Comebacks

What Do You Say to “No”?

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Sometimes a “No” means exactly that.  More often than not, it means “I can’t help you,” “I won’t help you,” “I don’t know how,” “I couldn’t be bothered,” or some related message.  Most “No” responses have more to do with … Continue reading →

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When and How Women Should Say “No” to Go-Nowhere Projects at Work

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

I posted a blog today on Huffington Post in response to views Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, has expressed in advance of the release of her new book, Lean In.  In part of that blog, I wrote about how important … Continue reading →

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A Lesson or Two From the Presidential Debate

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Over at Huffington Post today I blogged about the first Presidential debate of 2012.  There’s a general sense that Governor Romney won.  And if you’re looking for a winner, that may be the case.  He surely did on style and … Continue reading →

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Getting Too Wrapped Up in Negativity

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

I recently wrote back to a “ponderer” who shared with me some issues that would surely be difficult to remove from anyone’s mind.  It just so happens that this week I’d been thinking about how much our comebacks are influenced by … Continue reading →

Posted in Comebacks, Confrontation, Emotional Comebacks | 2 Comments

Being Less Sensitive to Slights

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

There as so many sources of information about ourselves that some days can feel like a battle against incoming arrows of insult.  In some workplaces and schools, putting others down is just part of the culture. This can become overwhelming … Continue reading →

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When Pondering Goes Too Far

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Many of us are ponderers.  We take what someone said or a passing facial expression and dwell on it for hours if not days.  There’s much to be said for pondering.  It can lead to decisions that work — that … Continue reading →

Posted in Comebacks, Emotional Comebacks | 3 Comments

What to Say When You’re Out of Work

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

There’s no doubt that for many people being without a job is like being without a part of yourself.  It can be a very difficult period of time.  For many, it’s a reason to avoid social events. And yet, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Comebacks, Holiday Conflicts | 1 Comment

A Few Romney-Gingrich Debate Comebacks Lessons

Posted on December 11, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Last night former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, attempted to undermine Governor Mitt Romney’s claim that as a businessman he’s better suited to be president in these harsh economic times.  Romney’s implication is that he is not a career … Continue reading →

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When to Forgive and Forget

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

That’s the subject of a blog I posted today on Huffington Post.  It pertains to presidential candidates, but there are a few lessons and reminders in it for all of us.  When someone is running for President of the United … Continue reading →

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What Could Rick Perry Have Done to Recover?

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

In the Comebacks at Work chapter on brainfreeze, we discussed recent research demonstrating that the mind can hold on to social pain for a very long time.  And, in so doing, can elicit during similar, subsequent situations a fear or … Continue reading →

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