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PMC is proud to contribute to executive education at Olin Business School at Washington University. In addition to teaching in custom programs offered by Olin to single organizations, Paul Paese also teaches open enrollment seminars that executives from any organization can take. This year Paul is co-teaching Leading & Growing Highly Effective Teams with Markus Baer. This two-day seminar will be held on November 27-28 at the Charles F. Knight Center from 8am-4pm each day. For a description of the open enrollment sessions offered at Olin this year, see the program finder.

We’ve noticed a consistent gap in workplace conversations. To convey understanding, most people say “I understand,” “I appreciate that,” or “I get it” and then wait for their turn to speak. If the other person belabors his or her point, most people simply repeat those same phrases. Few go so far as to summarize in their own words what the other person is saying and ask if their summary is on target.  Why bother with the extra effort? Well, maybe you think you understand, but in reality you don’t fully grasp what the other is saying. Or, maybe the other person can’t find the right words and could use your help finding them. By 1) briefly summarizing what you think the other person is saying, 2) asking him or her if you’ve got it right, 3) repeating these first two steps if necessary, and 4) ultimately getting an affirmative response, you’re showing you understand. This practice is particularly important when others have been talking for a while, and especially if they’ve been repeating themselves. While it may seem unnecessary to check your understanding when others have been repeating themselves, this is exactly when checking is the most helpful. Repetition is usually a signal that the other person doesn’t feel heard, or believes you’re missing their point. Paraphrasing and getting affirmation ends the repetition because now you’ve shown that you understand, and the other person sees that more repetition isn’t needed. So, if the conversation is important and your goal is mutual understanding, show that you understand first.

Come to Kirkwood, Missouri – aka the Greentree City – this month for two of its annual hallmark events. The first is the Greentree Festival on September 14-16. This 3-day festival features delicious food, art and craft booths showcasing the work of gifted artists, some of the best music bands the St. Louis area has to offer, and much more. There is literally something for everyone at the Greentree Festival. The second event is the Kirkwood Rotary Ramble on September 22. The Ramble, a 5K & 10K run/walk through the tree-lined streets of Kirkwood, is a festive and fun-filled way to burn off extra calories from the prior week’s festival while doing good for the community. All proceeds from the Ramble, put on by the Kirkwood Rotary Club, are given to local charities and community services.

The National Security Agency has asked Brookings Executive Education (BEE) to provide instruction on conflict resolution to executives at NSA Headquarters, Fort Meade, MD. BEE’s goal is to support the men and women who serve our country with cutting-edge leadership courses, either at the Brookings facility in Washington, DC, or onsite at the requesting agency. The BEE instructor retained for this purpose is Paul Paese, of PMC. Paul will teach “Strategies for Conflict Resolution” at Fort Meade later this month, and again in 2019. Paul is excited to have the opportunity to work with the distinguished executives at NSA.

The editors of the American Journal of Business have re-appointed PMC President, Paul Paese, to their editorial advisory board. AJB focuses on how research-based theories and models support management practices, and offers practical advice on a wide range of business and management problems. The journal’s audience is the wider business community, including both practitioners and academic scholars. The role of the advisory board is to provide strategic guidance on the content and direction of the Journal. As a professor-turned-consultant, Paul sees this role as fitting perfectly with his background and expertise, and he is happy to continue serving on the board.

This month PMC President, Paul Paese, will be installed as President of the Rotary Club of Kirkwood, Missouri for the 2018-19 year. Kirkwood Rotary has an active membership of approximately 80 professionals and business owners, and is engaged in both local and international service. Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million women and men who work, at home and abroad, to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, help mothers and children, support education, and grow local economies. Paul will be the 94th President of the Kirkwood club.