Lessons to learn from Broadway musical “Hamilton”

If you’ve been watching late night talk shows or national news programs like “60 Minutes,” you may have heard about the Broadway phenomenon, “Hamilton.” The production is written by and stars musical-genius Lin Manuel Miranda and has been grabbing headlines across the nation. I had the opportunity to see this musical in New York City this past summer and have learned a lot about one of our nation’s founding fathers in a new, more engaging way. If you haven’t heard about “Hamilton” I encourage you to at least listen to the Original Broadway Cast album, which has a hip-hop, R&B, and even Beatle-esque style influence.

Hamilton’s history would take volumes to examine, but a few lessons worth noting can be learned from this man’s resilient, unforgiving, go-getter attitude. Read on for my top tips adapted from this musical…

Social skill hacks with Vanessa Van Edwards

Screen Shot 2015-10-15 at 4.33.10 PMUnderstanding people is an important life skill to have. It can help you get a date, lead an organization, negotiate a deal, or influence others around you. Have you ever wondered about the science and psychology behind human behavior? Vanessa Van Edwards is a behavioral investigator who runs Science of People, a human behavior research lab that aims to crack the code of human behavior. She was also a keynote speaker at ASDA National Leadership Conference 2014. Vanessa is a consultant and speaker and runs various online courses such as “The Power of Body Language” and “Master Your People Skills”. Her videos provide practical advice on people skills and human behavior with a touch of science to back it up.

5 ways to succeed in a team environment

teamworkYou’ve heard phrases such as “working in a team environment” and “team dynamics” so often that their actual meaning can become overlooked. Understanding the true concepts underlying these phrases can go a long way in maximizing a team’s output while enhancing our own understanding of where we fit in the team and how we contribute our most valuable skill sets.

According to a 2013 study by the journal Human Resources for Health, interdisciplinary team work in the healthcare setting is becoming more prevalent in this age as a result of various factors. These include an aging population with more complex health needs, the increasing complexity of skills and knowledge needed to provide comprehensive care, and fragmentation of disciplinary knowledge due to increasing specialization in the health professions.

Know your wine for better networking

Wine infographic“Let’s settle it over a round” …of golf, that is. Golfing has long been seen as an escape, as well as work desk outside of the office. Countless deals and partnerships have been formed in the informal, enjoyable setting of a golf course. Similar networking can take place in other leisurely situations. Enjoying a glass of wine with a colleague is much easier and less time consuming than golf. Check out this infographic to up your wine game…

How to follow up after meeting someone new

Thank You Note Card and Pen They say first impressions are everything. But does it really end there? What about the second, third or maybe fourth impression? It doesn’t always have to be “You had me at ‘hello’” moments that make you worth remembering. Regardless of whom you are meeting with whether it is a residency interviewer, a potential employer, or your dean, the real work happens after you leave that meeting. Making that critical first impression is important. What is equally as important is how to make that impression linger after that initial contact. The principle of “follow up” is key to all interactions. It extends that initial meeting and keeps you in the mind of that person or people you met. Follow up shows genuine interest. It shows your conversation wasn’t a one-and-done scenario. It shows that you care about their thoughts and value any subsequent communication you may have with them. Ways you can keep that open communication with someone through follow up can be done through many mediums. Below I have listed four ways you can follow up with someone on a scale of recommended to highly-recommended…

Schmooze your way to success

schmoozingI’m determined to bring back “schmooze.” It’s more than small talk. It’s social networking at its finest. It’s the smooth type of conversation you don’t know you’re having, but still manages to land politicians in office and CEOs in the boardroom hot seat. My father would even describe this conversational tango as an art form. Learning to develop a natural conversation flow is critical in a profession as social and connected as ours. Everyone has intentions when entering a conversation, but it’s how they are pursued that dictates your networking success.

8 tips to improve your networking

dating and networkingNot sure where to start when it comes to networking? There are some parallels between networking and dating. Both are centered on meeting new people and building meaningful relationships with one-time strangers. Not all networking interactions will lead to long-lasting relationships (just like dating), though there will be some that will extend beyond that first initial contact. Here are several key tips to keep in mind next time you find yourself interested in expanding your social circles and social interests.