It’s an old episode, but still relevant, about giving tough feedback. My favorite point is this:
Think back to the times when you were given tough feedback – from coaches, teachers, and others who truly wished to help you grow. They treated you like you could handle the criticism and possessed the wherewithal to improve yourself. They empowered you to better yourself.

Feedback and criticism, when delivered with the right intention and in a constructive manner can be a really powerful thing.

I hope you enjoy these podcasts as much as I do.  They may be intended for business executives, but I think they’re useful to anyone who interacts with other humans.

Delivering Tough Feedback from 05/10/06

Follow the link to read the transcript or listen to the podcast

Well, what do you know, I found a podcast that combined three of my favorite things:  food, metalworking, and common-sense ideas.  The April 3 issue of The Splendid Table takes a look at growing edibles in your front yard, some fabulous Turkish cuisine that I think I need to try, and laminated knives.  I’m not sure which topic I find more fascinating, but the episode kept me riveted for the entire 50 minutes.

I haven’t tried this, yet, but it looks delicious.  Here’s the recipe for Turkish Bulgur Salad with Parsley and Mint (Kisir).  You can make this salad up to 2 hours ahead and keep it at room temperature.

The recipe originally appeared in the January 14, 2009 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle in an article titled “Ancient Grain for Modern Times” by Janet Fletcher.

Serves 6

You can make the salad up to 2 hours ahead and keep it at room temperature. In summer, replace the tomato paste with 2 finely chopped tomatoes.

Note: See Resources below for bulgur and specialty ingredients called for in the salad.

• 1 cup fine bulgur (No. 1)
• 1 heaping tablespoon Turkish hot pepper paste
• 1 heaping tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 cup thinly sliced green onions (white and green parts)
• 1 cup coarsely chopped Italian parsley
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
• 1 fresh Anaheim chile, halved lengthwise, seeds and ribs removed, then sliced thinly crosswise
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 large lemon (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more to taste
• Butter lettuce leaves
• Coarsely ground medium-hot red pepper, preferably Turkish Maras or Syrian Aleppo pepper

1. Place the bulgur in a large bowl and dampen it with 3/4 cup hot water. Cover with a kitchen towel and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Fluff it with a fork to separate the grains, then add the pepper paste and tomato paste and mix them in well with your hands so that all the grains are coated.

2. Add the onions, parsley, mint, Anaheim chile, olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses and salt. Mix well with your hands. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

3. Put the butter lettuce leaves around the edges of a large platter. Put the bulgur salad in the center. Top with a generous sprinkling of red pepper.

4. To serve, spoon some of the salad into the center of a lettuce leaf and fold like a taco.

Episode #187: Scott Belsky on Making Ideas Happen

Scott Belsky (CEO of Behance) shares insights from his new book Making Ideas Happen.

Love this podcast, here.  Plenty of great information for creative folks.  This episode covers an interesting topic:  getting enough ideas isn’t the problem, executing them is.  Have a listen.

Get the podcast here.

I discovered this podcast a few weeks ago.  It has shown me new and, more importantly, effective ways to communicate and express myself.  I like it so much I want to share, so here you go!

The Look and Sound of Leadership:  Disagree Agreeably

Excerpts from the transcript:

One way to disagree and still keep people engaged is to acknowledge your difference in opinion without trying to change it. It sounds like this:

“My understanding is very different. I’ve always thought…”
“It’s helpful to hear you explain it that way because I don’t experience it that way at all. In my experience, I…”

Disagreeing in this way doesn’t try to vaporize the other person’s point of view. You side-step the trap of adopting the superior position of declaring the other person’s idea “wrong.” Consequently, your listener is less likely to feel attacked and is more likely to stay engaged.
Disagreeing agreeably requires two behaviors up front, and one more as a refinement. The two required behaviors:
1     Acknowledge the other person’s idea is valid
2     Assert that your position is different—not better, just different

The refinement that may help you avoid a defensive reaction is to keep listening to their idea longer than you normally would. Ask questions. Be curious. Really hear them out.

If you can accept that the disagreement of others doesn’t diminish your ideas—that you are able to be patient and generous when people have opinions that are different from yours—you’re definitely on the path to The Look & Sound of Leadership.

This link will download the whole Podcast