Those who "click" are promoted?

From a recent Bloomberg Businessweek Etc. Social Studies story, those that click with others are more likely to be more successful in their careers. Psychologist Mark Snyder has dubbed this “high self monitoring,” the ability to adapt one’s personality, behaviors and attitudes to fit in. High self monitors, when pigeon-holed by someone blathering on and on, would find a way to make the conversation meaningful rather than pretending to listen and move on. High self monitors have the ability to ask “who does this situation want me to be, and how can I be that person?” The story mentions several click accelerators with one being proximity and vulnerability by opening up and sharing feelings.

However after reading this I was wondering how will this work in the world of remote workers. As more of us work remotely, will we have the necessary skills to click via the phone, e-mail, IM and other collaboration tools? How will you become open and vulnerable to make those clicking connections across webinars and twitterchats?

Are we missing teachable moments with the health care debate?

Don't you wish that this debate could rise over partisan noise. Wouldn't it be great if some mature individual could take up this discussion and transform into teachable moments.

• Is health care a right?
• What kind of society do we want? Do we want health care coverage for each and every American?
  
• What about mature discussions about end of life care and decisions?
• How about approaches to prevention? Prevention costs money.
• Does the current system reward quantity over quality?
• Can the free market provide solutions that will meet societal needs?
  
• Does a government program (Medicare) make it socialist?

Finding the uniquely-American solution(s) should include thoughtful discussion and debate versus insane claims and shouting. We've reduced debates to partisan back and forth talking points with over-charged language.

Anyone? Anyone?

Bueller?

Update 16 AUG 2009
From the NYT Week in Review Sarah Lyall, Health Care in Britain:Expat Goes for a Checkup.
A very teachable moment. Investor's Business Daily published an editorial claiming that administration health care proposals that mimic the British National Health Service, physicist Stephen Hawking wouldn't stand a chance in the UK because his life would be judged "worthless." Hawking suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease. Apparently, the Investor's Business Daily didn't know that Hawking is a British citizen. Hawking subsequently released a statement supporting the NHS.

Teachable moment - the facts (in this case real) and what kind of society do we want? Will costs enter into care decisions?

Update 24 AUG 2009
Jon Stewart and Betsy McCaughey "discuss" the Health Reform Bill. I've read the cited sections of the bill and come to different conclusions that Ms McCaughey.
PART 1

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Betsy McCaughey Extended Interview Pt. 1
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

PART 2
At 1:02 in retort to Steward's comment on American life expectancy, she actually says, "when you remove violent crime and car accidents, we're number one (in life expectancy)."

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Exclusive - Betsy McCaughey Extended Interview Pt. 2
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Healthcare Protests

Update 26 AUG
Betsy McCaughey resigned from the board of directors of a medical products company, to "avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest."

Twitter, you do tempt me

From AdFreak, learned that Crispin Porter + Bogusky creative chief Alex Bogusky may have reconciled his differences with Twitter (reported in this blog and here) and may return to Twitterland. Whew, glad that distraction is cleared up, or is it?

My favorite twitterer du jour, he just speaks to me in such a clear and compelling voice.

Twitter, jumping the shark?

AdFreek (an Adweek blog) reports that Crispin Porter + Bogusky creative Alex Bogusky is leaving Twitter.

Signing off twitter. Just not for me. I really enjoyed the time and it was fun to follow and be followed by such a lively group. Love, Alex

Alex did three months before bailing. I'm still undecided about Twitter and realized that it's been two days since I opened Twirl or went to my Twitter account. Haven't missed it. I've been busy with some projects, recruiting volunteers for ASTD Atlanta and prepping for a certification exam.

Meet my son Machiavelli Rasputin Darth Cheney

Unpopular names and crime, root cause? Nope. However unpopular names are correlated with factors that tend towards delinquency, primarily socioeconomic. More fodder to Ann Coulter and that ilk to oversimplify, stereotype and whomp up those that only see the world as black or white.