“Clarity of purpose and speaking up about what will make the difference in our communities and businesses is critical. Uncommon Candor inspires us to keep giving the gift of straight talk – for ourselves and others.”—MARIO MORINO, author of Leap of Reason and founder, Venture Philanthropy Partners

Candor in the Doctor’s Office
A fall off a ladder, one dislocated elbow and a fractured radius bone caused a man to suffer through multiple surgeries, paralysis, extensive physical therapy, a major infection, and over $20,000 out-of-pocket. Candor by one doctor – priceless!…

No-Spin Zone and Usher’s New Look Foundation
The “no-spin zone.” At first, it sounded like a football term to me. Then, a traffic warning. However, it is how Shawn H. Wilson, President of Usher’s New Look Foundation, describes his office. He says it is a…

The Pat Tillman Cover-Up and Collateral Damage
“It is almost always the cover-up rather than the event that causes trouble.” ~ Howard Baker ~ Marie Tillman, the widow of late NFL star and Army Ranger Pat Tillman, has published The Letter, a story of her experiences…

Popularism and Shared Truth
My summer reading has not only included mystery and thriller best sellers. While there are plenty of those books with sand between the pages, I have also enjoyed the luxury of reading multiple newspapers a day. One particular…

Johnson & Johnson: Being Forthright in Times of Crisis
As I write Uncommon Candor and share examples of candor in organizations, Johnson & Johnson and its recall of Tylenol almost 30 years ago remains one of the outstanding examples of being forthright in times of crisis. In…

The Olympics – Tell It To Me Straight
As I watch the London Olympics TV coverage nightly until 2:00 am, I can’t help but think about Marion Jones’ experience in the Sydney Olympics. It reminds me how important it is to surround ourselves with people who are…

Actor Glenn Close Goes Candid
I am always surprised by the new insights I receive from the award-winning and long-running CBS News television show 60 Minutes. I was never so surprised, however, than when a recent interview with Glenn Close revealed her naturalness…

“Just the facts, ma’am”The Uncommon Candor Blog Launch
In this age of reinvention, it is time to speak about candor. For a lifetime of working in organizations, I have been asking leaders, managers, and boards of directors: “What is it you want?” “If you could wave…