Communication Skills

We Can Be Friends — Just Not on Facebook

by Bill Brenner July 21, 2020 Communication Skills

Political divisiveness that has turned social media into a sewer. I’m not dumping my friends; I’m just not following some of them on Facebook anymore.

On Masks and Virtue Signaling

by Bill Brenner June 30, 2020 Communication Skills

Masks have been proven, over and over, to help stop the spread of COVID-19. So why do some people still reject wearing them?

Finding Reason in a World Gone Mad

by Bill Brenner June 2, 2020 Communication Skills

Social and news media are full of rage-filled faces these days. Let’s put it into perspective.

Conspiracy Theories Aren’t About Good vs. Evil

by Bill Brenner May 26, 2020 Communication Skills

Those who believe conspiracy theories are either evil or stupid, right? Maybe not.

Less Talk, More Action

by Bill Brenner May 12, 2020 Communication Skills

Talk isn’t just cheap; it can create huge divisions among people. Taking positive actions that help others goes a lot further. What can you do to help?

“Plandemic” and the Loss of Perspective

by Bill Brenner May 8, 2020 Communication Skills

That new “documentary” that’s making the rounds? It’s making us all a little crazy.

To the Self-Righteous People Who Need a Pat on the Back

by Bill Brenner June 21, 2016 Communication Skills

I’ve mentioned before that kids today are addicted to accolades, that being told how awesome they are has become more important than actually achieving anything. It’s time to be fair to the kids and admit it’s not just them. We adults are just as bad — maybe even worse. Mood music: Armed with Facebook and Twitter accounts, we adults have the power to communicate like no other time in the past. And a lot of us use them…  [Read More]

Living in the Precious Present (If You Can Find It)

by Bill Brenner June 6, 2016 Communication Skills

One of the basic traits of someone with OCD is an inability to live in the moment. Learning to do so is one of my big projects at the moment.   I’m better at living in the precious present than I used to be. I can remember being a kid, always daydreaming about the future: what I’d look like and how cool my life would be if I were thinner, the clothes I would wear,…  [Read More]

Dealing With People: A Business Survival Guide

by Bill Brenner March 23, 2016 Communication Skills

From my perch in the information security industry, I’ve seen a lot of people come and go. The best rise to the top of their companies. The worst are crushed beneath the boots of others in what can be a high-stakes, high-pressure field. Many fall in the middle: They have had soaring success and painful setbacks. Those who manage to bounce back do so because they have learned a thing or two about dealing with…  [Read More]

When Listening Is Better Than Giving Advice

by Bill Brenner March 15, 2016 Communication Skills

Sometimes when I’m going through a rough patch or just having a ridiculously annoying day, I need to vent. To do so productively and thus feel better, I need a good listener around. Unfortunately, people these days don’t want to listen. They have a big megaphone that is the Internet, and they can’t bear not to use it. So they take to social media and give advice. Mood music: In saying that, I realize two…  [Read More]

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