Category Archives: Choice Points

Not Knowing That It Can’t Be Done

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

During an online presentation this week, I was asked what it takes to move from writing nonfiction to writing fiction and from being a professor of social sciences to becoming an artist. In general, the question was about what encourages … Continue reading →

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How Well Do You Handle Your Choice Points in Conversation?

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

What were President Trump’s goals when he shared “highly classified” information with Russian officials?  It’s difficult to be sure.  We do know that what he said in the Oval Office resulted in a firestorm of criticism.  Was he “shooting from … Continue reading →

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Back on the Hillary Media Watch

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Today I posted a blog on Huffington Post about the return of gender insults perpetrated upon Hillary Clinton — this time particularly by CNN’s Gloria Borger. As a communication professor and researcher, I’m always intrigued by how words are used … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice Points, Comebacks, Politics | 4 Comments

More on Disagreeing Without Being Disagreeable

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

I posted today on Big Think about a process from my book, It’s All Politics (PURRR) that can help avoid reacting rather than responding, especially at work.  Often many of us say what we don’t mean, speak before we think, … Continue reading →

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Unwanted Repetitive Episodes — Breaking loose at Choice Points

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Unwanted repetitive episodes (URPs or UREPs for short) are the patterns we develop with people at work, at home, in friendships and even with acquaintances.  They’re unwanted because they’re dysfunctional.  I’ve written about them in my books on politics at … Continue reading →

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“Is There Another Way To Say That?”

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

This is one of my favorite phrases, as my children will attest, for letting someone know that the way they’ve said something could be interpreted to their disadvantage.  Perhaps the person is in an irritable mood.  He or she snaps … Continue reading →

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Political Inquisitiveness — The First Step In Political Clout for Women

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Below are some additional thoughts on politics and the importance of girls and women learning what to expect and how to manage politics at work.  The Secret Handshake and It’s All Politics were written to help with this endeavor — for … Continue reading →

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The Power of Framing

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Today on Big Think I wrote about how framing can enhance persuasion — and also romance — as the latter is certainly a form of the former.  Framing in conversation suggests or imposes a type on the interaction.  Is this … Continue reading →

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To Whom Did You Give Power Today?

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

At Big Think today I wrote about the power we give to others who least deserve it. Happiness, success, and sense of self worth are influenced by dependence on others.   And so, we should choose wisely the people on … Continue reading →

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How We Limit the Calibre of Our Thinking

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

When I teach persuasion or negotiation, the first day of class I write a word on the board.  That word is “assume.”  It is the enemy of effective persuasion and negotiation, and yet most of us rely on assumptions much … Continue reading →

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