My mom turns 93 this week (go, Mom!) My interactions with her over the holidays reminded me of a critical lesson for those of us in the business of being influential. It’s what a mentor of mine once labeled, “Being committed, not attached.”

I’m taking time off to enjoy a little year-end down time. In the meantime, I’ve curated some Weekly Tips for the diehards. The most popular ones seem to be the most humbling for me, so here are a few oldies but goodies to close out the year.

I’m taking the week off to enjoy a little year-end down time. In the meantime, look for inspiration for your 2020 intentions in the free and no-strings-attached Get Real manifesto poster and eBook.

It’s that time of year again. The holidays are in full swing and year-end celebrations are approaching at lightning speed, which means a high probability you’re dreading being with a certain family member. Or two. This week’s tip is being reprised by special request, and with some new resources.

Funny how within a few days of writing my Weekly Tip on rebuilding lost trust I wake up to a very angry email from a client, directed right at me, so I get to practice what I preach. Yay. I learned a few things from applying my own six-part process. And it just so happens a lot of this went down via email, so in sharing I also get to fulfill last week’s promise on how to rebuild lost trust in writing.

I’ve been thinking (and writing) a lot about trust and communications lately—related to dialogue as well as broadcasts like presentations and group-wide communications. Here’s my template for how you can rebuild trust you’ve lost when you’re talking to someone. (I’ll take a stab at how it might go for a written communication next week.)