One Percent Better

My guest today is Buster Benson.  In addition to having a fancy alliterative name, he has written an extraordinary book, called "Why are We Yelling?  The Art of Productive Disagreement. You can find it on his website. How good is this book? Here's what former guest Seth Godin has to say about it: "This is a life-changing book. Read it three times and then give a copy to anyone you care about. It will make things better." Regular listeners know the weight that endorsement carries. In our conversation Buster shares questions you can use today to improve the quality of your disagreements while reducing the stress that comes with arguments.  We discuss the difference between being polite showing someone that you care about them while disagreeing, and much more.  Before I go, two announcements: 1. I have a new, grown up email address. Try it out: Email me at my new address! (Joe at onepercentbetterproject dot com) 2. I have been lucky to associate with great people. When I began this project, I had no idea where it would lead.  One place I am ecstatic that it led is here: YouthBaseballSchool A one-stop shop for baseball instruction.  I accepted an invitation to be a contributor, and I couldn't be more excited.  Please share that affiliate link with the baseball fan in your life.   I cannot thank you enough for all the support! As always, thanks for listening! --JF         

Today's episode is a thoughtful rant. Thoughtful Rant: (Noun) A passionate albeit somewhat disorganized collection of questions and ideas.   I want to hear your take.  Email me here. Links mentioned in today's episode: Alumni Classroom Kelly Gallagher Tweet Podchaser Link Steve Johnson: "Reading is legal theft." As always, thanks for listening! -JF   

My guest today is Nancy Duarte. She is a communications expert who has been featured in Fortune, Time Magazine, Forbes, Fast Company, Wired, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Cosmopolitan, LA Times, and on CNN. Her new book Data Story presents a compelling vision of how to see the crucial data you or your team need to get one percent better, and how to tell your story in a way that compels others to follow you.  I know you will enjoy this conversation.  As always, thanks for listening! --JF 

Today's episode comes from my daughter's U6 Soccer team. I share a story from her final game this season that I hope will inspire you to reflect on how your leadership skills can get 1% better. Enjoy. As always, thanks for listening! --JF 

Today's episode brings you Kevin Eastman.  Kevin has rubbed elbows with some of the most successful athletes and leaders in the world.  In the process, he has become one of them. His message, and his book are musts for any of us trying to get 1% better every day.   You will hear alignment in the philosophy and tactics Kevin preaches and practices. I loved this conversation. As always, thanks for listening! --JF 

To Whom it May Concern: Please accept my highest recommendation for lifelong learning.  It’s a mindset, a practice, a habit.  One that literally gets better every day.  Believe it or not I have only known lifelong learning, or kaizen, or continuous improvement as it is sometimes called, for 20 years.  As I stare down my 42nd birthday, it startles me to try and remember so many wasted moments in classrooms across in Pennsylvania.   I day dreamed in an elementary Catholic school, where viciously underpaid teachers were doing the best they could.  My mind wandered in a private high school where kids with IQs beyond belief thrived as I clawed to keep up.  When I got to college, something clicked and I began asking questions, listening to the words the teacher said as well as the vital meaning behind them.  My grades improved as I learned how school worked, but even then, between Division I baseball and other priorities, I largely excelled in classrooms that featured motivated, creative teachers in the front of the room.  Interestingly, only when I became a student teacher at age 21 did I begin to unravel the power of lifelong learning.  As a teen, I was quick to dismiss a teacher as boring. Are some teachers boring?  Sure. So are some politicians, doctors, and even comedians.  I now believe it is the learner responsible for curiosity, generosity, and active listening he or she brings to every experience, but because of my bias towards dynamic educators, as a teacher myself, I take the responsibility for creating an environment in which people want to learn. I know my style of classroom presentation won’t be every body’s favorite, but it’s the best version of me that I have yet found.  Only in the last two decades did I feel the power of lifelong learning. First as a student teacher, one book ahead of my 7th graders.  Secondly as a college baseball coach helping to rebuild a dormant program.  Next as a High School English teacher and HS baseball coach shifting my philosophy to student-centered labs where real-world skills collide with classic and contemporary literature.   In each case, lifelong learning has revealed itself to be a source of tremendous inspiration, challenge, and renewal.   Immediately obvious upon meeting lifelong learning is its unique blend of challenge and invigoration.  It’s a wonderful elixir . . .  instead of getting tired while learning from every experience, you actually feel energized like a slow drip coffee IV.  You start by listening, then identifying your own biases that make decision making so challenging.  Then asking questions.  Really great questions.  “what would an opponent in a debate say against you?” “What has helped you develop the confidence you have in your opinion?”  “What would it take to change your mind?”  “How would you recommend someone just starting out begin?”  Once you’ve come this far with life-long learning, you’ll get some great answers.  But will you hear them?  Will you receive them with an open mind and heart ready to be convinced?  What is learning after all if not willingness to be changed?  If all of this sounds like a lot of work, remember that ignorance and stubbornness are much easier, and much more damaging.  Either side can be drilled into a habit, choose wisely.  It is difficult to pinpoint what I admire most about lifelong learning, but I know what I dislike most about it—encountering those who don’t want to practice it.  You won’t recognize these stalwarts by eye.  It’s by ear.  “That’s how we’ve always done it.” “That won’t work for me.” “I am just so used to my way.”  “It doesn’t feel comfortable.”  “Someday.” Please forgive my gushing tone. Lifelong learning is a life-altering mindset and practice.  One that starts innocently and slowly.  It can begin with a book, like Carol Dweck’s Mindset.  With a a famous virtual mentor like Daniel Kahneman, or a real-life mentor like your Little League Coach you’ve lost touch with.  It can begin with a newsletter like Farnam Street, or a Twitter account you use to follow deep thinkers.  Lifelong learning can begin anywhere.  Even in a podcast named after the art and science of getting just a little better each day.  I look forward to hearing about your small wins with lifelong learning.  It’s an incredible ride. Please feel free to contact me with further questions about lifelong learning.  Sincerely, Joe Ferraro  

You can find my guest's full body of work on his website. Rob Walker is a journalist covering design, technology, business, the arts, and many other subjects. Today we talk about his new book , the power of observation, how to improve writing skills, and much more. As always, thanks for listening! --JF 

When do you perform your best? Is it in the excitement of first-time experiences? Is it after months of study and review? Perhaps there is a middle ground that brings out your best. This week I share what I have learned about my peak performance, and ask you to share what you have learned about you. Email me here. As always, thanks for listening! --JF 

Today's episode is with professional storyteller Kindra Hall. Kindra is a sought-after keynote speaker and consultant, and her brand new book is available now! During our conversation, Kindra:  shares a few of her favorite stories teaches us what a story is and what a story is not offers advice on how to improve our storytelling today explains the four musts for an effective story and much more. As always, thanks for listening! --JF 

Today I share a tool destined to help you get 1% better every day. In a few weeks I will release my conversation with 2008 NBA World Champion Kevin Eastman, but today I share a tool that he says changed his life.  The W.I.L.T. journal. I now use it. My students now use it. Will you give it a try? It will help you get 1% better every day; that's a promise.  Let me know what you write down this week. As always, thanks for listening.  --JF