Each day, maybe 16,000 words or more come out of our mouths.  Odds are that some of these words will end up offending the people around us.  So how do you react when you’ve offended someone?  Here are several common reactions.  First, we become defensive.  We move the blame onto the very person we’ve offended by saying things like, “If only you hadn’t been so sensitive.” Instead of defending yourself, it’s often...

Change is easy, transition is not. Let me explain. Change in relationships can be easy to talk about, desire and even envision. It’s the transition from point A to point B that trips people up and keeps them from reaching their destination of real change. The transition…how we get there…is the tough part. So how can we make the transition process easier so that real change will occur in our relationships? First,...

We’ve grown up in a culture with clearly defined expectations about what a man should be like.  But are these definitions fact or fiction?  Dr. Gary Oliver has spent time compiling a list of 6 myths about men.  First, he shares the myth of how men are big, brave, and strong.  While these are good qualities, these characteristics should not define who a man is at his core.  Second, Oliver discusses the myth of how...

It’s not something that’s in your job description at work.  It’s not something that you think about as a husband, wife or parent.  But it’s critical in any position of leadership.  It’s establishing the climate… the right kind of climate.  A mother or father establishes the climate when they walk through the door at night.  A worker sets the temperature for co-workers at the office.  A coach sets the climate out...

It’s the gift of listening to others. In his new book, A Leader’s Gift, author Barry Banther shares that when we’re speaking with someone, we often “wonder whether the other person is really listening or just waiting to respond. Few people are actually listening to understand.” I’m definitely guilty…I often find myself not really listening to the other person; I’m just thinking about what I want to say. Banther...

For some it's gambling…for others it's pornography, overeating, or drinking too much. So, do you try to talk your way out of it? Do you get as close to it as you can without getting burned? Or, do you assume you're strong enough and keep putting yourself in tempting situations? Well, an ancient proverb says we need to flee from temptation. That’s right…physically remove ourselves from it. In other words, one of...

The average home has tens of thousands of dollars in debt, causing post holiday financial stresses that hurt marriages. If you want to sink your financial ship, start by completely ignoring your current obligations and keep adding on. No need to draw a line in the sand that says “we stop borrowing now.” You can also sink your ship by just getting another credit card and go shopping. Of course, no one wants to fail...