Author Archives: Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Learning Leadership from Warren Bennis

Posted on August 2, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

This past week my colleague Warren Bennis passed.  He was an exceptional scholar, a generous mentor, an excellent teacher and speaker, who taught by example and scholarship what it means to be a true leader.  Two paragraphs from the University … 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 →

Posted in Choice Points, Unwanted Repetitive Episodes | Leave a comment

Vulnerability as a Skill

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

“The Power of Vulnerability” is my latest post on Big Think.  We don’t often think of vulnerability as anything other than something to be avoided.  Yet, communication cannot work effectively if none of the parties involved is willing to relinquish … Continue reading →

Posted in Choice Points, Managing Your Boss, Uncategorized, Unwanted Repetitive Episodes | Leave a comment

Are Real Leaders All That Tough?

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Common wisdom is that they’re tough when they need to be.  “Don’t let this sweet face fool you,” was one of my favorite, slightly humorous warnings now and then throughout my career.  But there’s a difference between being tough and … Continue reading →

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The Hypocrisy of Killing The Messenger

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

It’s a rare person in business of any kind who has not heard people at the top say that failure is an inevitable and valuable experience on the road to success.  And yet, how many of these same leaders run … Continue reading →

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What if Honesty Had Been a Priority at GM?

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

At Big Think today, I posted a blog on “The Power of Honesty.” We live in a time when it is less valued than playing along to get along, staying under the radar, passing the buck, and a host of other … Continue reading →

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Maya Angelou on Courage

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

In a blog on Big Think today, I looked at the challenge Maya Angelou took up herself and passed on us.  According to Angelou, “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any … Continue reading →

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Politics and Male-Female Differences

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

On Huffington Post today you’ll find “Is a Female President Only a Pipe Dream” written about the subtle forms of communication that stand between women candidates and the presidency.   Facts about women in congress indicate the extent of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bullying, Tutorials for Women | Leave a comment

Are You On The Case Influencing Your Doctor

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

I published this blog today at Big Think.  It’s about how doctors and patients develop “frames” that guide how they relate to each other and that these frames have a significant impact on healthcare outcomes.  Learn how you might alter … Continue reading →

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Persuasion Shortcut Using The ACE Method

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Kathleen Kelley Reardon

Today’s blog on Big Think, is “A Shortcut to Successful Influence” using the ACE Method, which I originally described in my first book, Persuasion in Practice.  There are a host of skills required to be an effective persuader.  Sometimes we … Continue reading →

Posted in "Leaning in" -- Asserting yourself, Confrontation, Influence, Leadership | Leave a comment