1-1s: They Can Make You Smarter

 ¡Feliz lunes, Reader!

For many years, my bedtime routine consisted of turning off electronics by 8pm and reading for an hour or so, before falling asleep.

On my nightstand I kept a variety of reading materials, including Scientific American. One particular article stuck in my memory as it explained how new synapses are formed in the brain when engaging in 1-1 conversations - well, great news for an aging brain! 

I've often valued my 1-1s more than group (although I do find a different type of enjoyment with groups) and this new knowledge became increasingly important to me, as part of my personal growth. It also brought me to some funny acknowledgements when I thought about groupthink... while you can get smarter speaking to one person, groups can make you dumber - or smarter! hahaha! Look around folks - as George Carlin said "I like people 1-1. It's when they're together that I don't." - haha! I can relate, no doubt.

I've been a part of numerous groups, often being guided, groomed and encouraged to lead them, to which I always enthusiastically would do. These leadership roles encompassed many industries from coaching spin class to Accounting Association President (during my undergraduate years at Bryant University) to leading several corporate meetings, as a seasoned professional. What I realized last summer was how much I was being used and undervalued as a leader, which is why my rates have gone way up.

Often society makes jokes about pimping and prostitution, but how could my last company get away with paying me not even $70 an hour, yet charge our clients almost $500/hour? Oh, because they could. They did. That's what greed does. That's camouflaged prostitution / pimping in the white collar sector, folks.

May today you find a friend or two and enjoy a focused conversation! And on a financial note, get paid for what you’re worth!

With Aloha,

Heidi