December, 2021

(First appeared December 2018. Still timely.)

If the holiday season is, as the song says, the most wonderful time of the year, this year, it can also be one of the most treacherous. Why? Because as we get together with our families, politics in these contentious times is likely to come up in discussion. Rare is the family (or group of friends) where everyone agrees on current events. So, how do you avoid turning political discussions into deeply entrenched battles that leave everyone bloodied, angry, and defiant?

I recently changed dentists. My new dentist doesn’t talk. Oh, he can physically talk, but beyond, “Hello.” “Open.” “Close.” “Done.” and “Good-bye”, he. does. not. talk.  Not exactly a hoot to be around. My old dentist not only talked throughout our session, but would occasionally step outside his office into the waiting room where there is a piano and play some jazz for his patients. Visiting him was fun.  But why I dropped him reminded me what the basic requirements are for sales success.