Category: Paddy’s Posts
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A Handy Template for Memos Recommending Change
If you’ve identified a problem in your organization and want to propose a new course of action, a persuasive memo can help drive change. A mentor walked me through this convenient template for a logical memo format that can get stuff done. Enjoy! Problem Work from symptoms to root cause by asking ‘why’ Why are…
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How Three Research-Backed Coaching Techniques Beat Feedback for Developing Your Team
I know you’ve heard it. The never-ending emphasis on feedback. Do it right. Do it often. Have the tough conversations. Give feedback with empathy. Improve relationships, improve performance with feedback. Feedback is almost everything you’re missing. Feedback is widely presented as a near-panacea for improving team performance through smarter interpersonal communication. But it leaves so…
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How StoryBrand Strategy Can Help You Win…By Making Your Customer the Hero
So you want something… …to reach more customers and improve your marketing! Whether you’re looking to grow your business or improve your own career prospects, I think “Building a StoryBrand” by acclaimed author Donald Miller will give you a powerful approach to improving your communication. Because actually you have a problem: your messaging is confusing…
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My Top Leadership Lessons from Simon Sinek’s Favorite Book on Parenting
When asked “what book should I read for leadership?”, acclaimed speaker and author Simon Sinek often recommends the parenting book “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk”. He compares parenting to organizational leadership: “Leadership is like parenting. We have to encourage our kids’ natural capacity and create space for their…
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My Favorite 8 Nuggets from “Crucial Conversations,” the Life-Changing Book on Difficult Dialogue
Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret. -Ambrose Bierce Few books literally change your life as soon as you read them. Crucial Conversations is a famous book among many circles — for good reason. I finally read it in its entirety recently and was blown away by the…
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Why I Believe Crowdfunding Platform DonorSee Will Massively Disrupt Big Charity
Imagine harnessing the irresistible user experience and community-building aspects of social media apps — for pure good. The DonorSee app crowdfunds support for the world’s poorest individuals, and uniquely allows donors to see how their money makes an impact through raw video updates. When I met DonorSee Founder Gret Glyer for the first time, I thought his idea…
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My Top Ten Books of 2018 for Startup Leaders
If you’re a startup leader, these are ten book recommendations for you that I found helpful in 2018. Not all were written in the past year; it’s just when I read them. Hope you enjoy my recommendations by category. Any you’d like to add? I’d love to hear your suggestions! Leadership and Self-Improvement Ego is…
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A Startup Within a Startup at Sonder
This spring, I joined Sonder, a rapidly-scaling tech company looking to launch their DC market. The company was completely new to me but the opportunity was too exciting to pass up. Sonder aims to provide a unique, yet consistent experience for stays in beautiful hand-picked locations in cities around the world. Each Sonder is purposefully…
Patrick Weeks 