Category «Communication Skills»

The Grief You Can’t Name – How Change and Transformation Influence You

When organizations ask people to change how they work, they’re not just asking them to learn new procedures. They’re asking them to grieve what made them valuable, release what gave them pride, and trust that something on the other side of that loss will be worth it. Kevin Novak describes how oganizations pour billions into change management while ignoring the psychological truth underneath: regardless of the situation, when confronted with organizational change, humans go through the same grief cycle first identified by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross. Her book, On Death and Dying, published in 1969, introduced the concept of the Five Stages of Grief. Those five stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Her intent wasn’t an application to organizational change or transformation, or even a recognition of how we all go through stages when confronted with any personal or professional change. However, Novak states that ongoing research and his company’s study of the human factor, demonstrate her model’s applicability. Understanding these stages can help inform individuals facing change as much as for how leaders approach transformation.

Subjects: Communication Skills, Communications, Education, Ethics, Leadership, Libraries & Librarians, Management

What are lawyers for?

Jordan Furlong states that we all know lawyers’ commercial role, to be professional guides for human affairs. But he stresses we also need lawyers to bring the law’s guarantees to life for people and in society. And we need it right now.

Subjects: Communication Skills, KM, Leadership, Legal Profession, Legal Research

Beyond the Tool: Why True AI Literacy is About Critical Thinking, Not Prompting

Michael G. Wagner, a technology educator with more than 30 years experience in higher education, contends that the nature of AI literacy is largely misunderstood within the education community. Ultimately, the goal of AI literacy should not be to make students better at using AI, but to empower them to be more discerning thinkers, more ethical citizens, and more self-aware human beings in a world where AI exists. Analyzing the relationship between artificial and human intelligence requires two components: understanding how LLMs work, and understanding how human cognition works. Wagner says we understand neither well enough to make informed judgments. The uncomfortable truth is that confident dismissal of AI’s intelligence often just reveals a deeper misunderstanding of our own.

Subjects: AI, Communication Skills, Education

Another Brilliant Idea! the Hidden Dangers of Sycophantic AI

Jordan Furlong’s article expands analysis on the already noted risks arising from lawyers using AI. Generative AI can be incredibly, and dangerously, sycophantic. This is particularly worrisome for lawyers, because if they lose intellectual skills, what will they left to offer people? Furlong notes that the similarities between lawyer thinking and AI “thinking” should be a cause for alarm within the legal profession.

Subjects: AI, Communication Skills, Communications, Legal Education, Legal Profession, Legal Research, Management

Your law firm needs a Situation Room

Jordan Furlong advises law firms that in this chaotic new world order, organizations cannot sit back waiting for the next bombshell to drop. Firms need to anticipate, analyze, and address critical new developments — before they affect the organization and its clients. Furlong highlights the components of well grounded strategic action plans to reduce risk and respond in a firm wide manner.

Subjects: AI, Communication Skills, Economy, Education, Law Firm Marketing, Leadership, Legal Marketing, Legal Profession

When Should Presenters Apologize?

Referencing decades of experience as a presenter and an attendee at presentations, Jerry Lawson cautions us not to begin a presentation with an apology, which can be compelled by a tech glitch or some other reason not within our control. Lawson states that the habit of beginning with an apology is so old that it has a name in Medieval rhetoric, the captatio benevolentiae, meaning an attempt to capture the audience’s goodwill. Most importantly, It doesn’t work. Lawson highlights a range of scenarios for which an apology or no apology, are appropriate. His lesson applies to far more than presentations, as these reactions are common in a work environment where they may indeed not serve your objectives.

Subjects: Communication Skills, Continuing Legal Education, Education, Presentation Skills

2024 Link Guide to Employment Resources

This employment resources guide by Marcus P. Zillman spans multiple sectors, sources in the private and public sectors, on-site and remote work, job search engines, resume building resources, identifying job titles and respective skill requirements, and is inclusive of a focus on new job seekers and those with years of experience. Some of the sources such as LinkedIn will be familiar, but many will be new to you and will add capabilities to your efforts to develop and execute a successful job search process.

Subjects: Communication Skills, Economy, Education, Job Hunting

Slide Show Formatting Basics

Legal tech expert and frequent speaker Jerry Lawson affirms that the best substantive presentation material looks even better if packaged well. Formatting slide shows is an art. Compliance with some basic slide show formatting principles won’t make you Monet, but will put you on the road to being a passable PowerPoint artist. Lawson shares his presentation tips and techniques.

Subjects: Communication Skills, Legal Marketing, Legal Profession, Presentation Skills