Stillman Says

Like it or not, you’re a Somali pirate

What would you do about the pirate situation off the coast of Somalia? ********** There is nothing simple about the country of Somalia on the eastern Horn of Africa. It achieved independence from Britain and Italy in 1960 and because of its important strategic location near the mouth of the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia a proxy ...

Spill Your Juice Specifically and Embrace your Obsession

I am pretty sure I have met the perfect woman for me. And if she isn't a lesbian she is open to being with women. ********** Jennifer was late and had called about her being turned around and lost twice by that point. I didn't mind at all, it was actually quite funny and endearing. ...

You can date me now (metaphorically)

Matt, I don't know if you remember me but we went on two or possibly three dates in 1997. I remember that you were a really good guy and I was a jerk and totally blew you off and never called you back even though you were really interesting and nice. I am so sorry ...

Chase Tragedy: Do the opposite of your goals

"This is something else I can blame my mother for - her cancer is ruining my comedy career." ********** I have been very fortunate to have been involved with the Upright Citizens Brigade since they first arrived in New York City from Chicago in 1996. I stumbled into their first show in New York by accident ...

What baby feet and St. Anthony have to do with making decisions

"We can't agree where to live. So settle this for us. Where should we live?" ********************** We all think that the process of decision making is not only our own but fairly straight forward. We look at the decision that needs to be made, anticipate some likely outcome, weigh them against each other and then make the ...

Inner & Outer Trash Transformed To Inner & Outer Art

There is no lack of trash in the world. It is astonishing. For every piece of good citizenry we do by snagging the swirling bag blowing in front of us there seems to be an unending number of bags and bottles and papers to replace the one you just got. It is a huge problem ...

Smallness: On Listening and Silence in Public

When people sit down at the table sometimes I need to do some heavy lifting - which I don't mind at all. Sometimes some proverbial brush needs to be cleared before a creative approach can be found/discovered/offered. Sometimes all that is needed is just the barest touch.

Tattoo Placement: On Reimagining the Body

A few weeks ago I was contacted by @steveboese who hosts an online radio show called The HR Happy Hour. While I have offered creative approaches for HR problems before I wondered if there would indeed be enough fodder for a one hour call in show for creative approaches about HR issues. Steve assured ...

Cruise Control, Auto Pilot, Setting Goals: Sleep Inducers

Often there is a sense that making goals is a good and useful thing. And I suppose that in some cases, maybe in many cases, it is. But goals can be a version of auto-pilot or cruise control. Far too easily we turn into Ron Popeil and "set it and forget it." We are pointed ...

Snail Surplus? Might be Duck Deficiency: On being present to difficulties Sometimes I just listen

This picture was sent to me. I don't write about every person who stops by and asks for a creative approach. I feel like some editing on my end is important. I wasn't going to write about R but I was really touched by her gentleness ...