Communication Central

Bystander Effect

What to Do When No One’s Doing Anything

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on May 16, 2016

Recently, in the city of Philadelphia, a man was recorded beating and punching a woman, mercilessly, for over 20 minutes. The incident was recorded by a man who wanted to remain...

Recently, in the city of Philadelphia, a man was recorded beating and punching a woman, mercilessly, for over 20 minutes. The incident was recorded by a man who wanted to remain...

Media

Athletes and the Spiral of Silence

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on February 22, 2015

Do sports journalists intimidate athletes into silence?

Do sports journalists intimidate athletes into silence?

Friends

The Role of Anticipatory Communication in Conversation

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on September 5, 2011

We use anticipatory communication skills all the time without knowing it. When people watch the latest episode of a show they barely like so they won't be left out of a conversation with friends or when a person watches ESPN religiously so they can be...

We use anticipatory communication skills all the time without knowing it. When people watch the latest episode of a show they barely like so they won't be left out of a conversation with friends or when a person watches ESPN religiously so they can be...

Self-Control

Change the Story!

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on August 28, 2011

All day we are in unceasing conversations with ourselves. We tell ourselves who we are, what we should do, how we should respond and what our mission is. This intrapersonal communication governs our lives to a huge extent and...

All day we are in unceasing conversations with ourselves. We tell ourselves who we are, what we should do, how we should respond and what our mission is. This intrapersonal communication governs our lives to a huge extent and...

Sport and Competition

LeBron James exposes how you view the world

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on July 21, 2011

LeBron James's naysayers and supporters each believe they are right, but what are they choosing to experience when it comes to James?

LeBron James's naysayers and supporters each believe they are right, but what are they choosing to experience when it comes to James?

Media

How to Handle a PR Crisis: Kobe Bryant, the Lakers, and the NBA

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on April 17, 2011

The purpose of this article is not to criticize Kobe Bryant for his outburst. I would be a hypocrite if I were to act as if I have never used foul language or called someone a name while playing a sport. I want to discuss how Kobe Bryant, the Lakers organization, and the league handled the incident afterward.

The purpose of this article is not to criticize Kobe Bryant for his outburst. I would be a hypocrite if I were to act as if I have never used foul language or called someone a name while playing a sport. I want to discuss how Kobe Bryant, the Lakers organization, and the league handled the incident afterward.

Play

Role Theory - It’s never too late to change

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on January 30, 2011

This weekend, 48 year old Herschel Walker defeated Scott Carson in a professional Mixed Martial Arts bout. It was Walker's second fight and second victory. It is not amazing that...

This weekend, 48 year old Herschel Walker defeated Scott Carson in a professional Mixed Martial Arts bout. It was Walker's second fight and second victory. It is not amazing that...

Creativity

Spreading Ideas – What role do you play?

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on December 11, 2010

Recently, I attended a family gathering. As friends were welcome, a lot of people were in attendance. I knew it was going to be an all day affair so I brought my Kindle. Little did I know that I would serve as Tony Little at the function and would be showcasing and ...

Recently, I attended a family gathering. As friends were welcome, a lot of people were in attendance. I knew it was going to be an all day affair so I brought my Kindle. Little did I know that I would serve as Tony Little at the function and would be showcasing and ...

Humor

When you communicate – are you memorable?

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on November 10, 2010

After I delivered the presentation to my students, the following Monday, they applauded at the end of the lecture. I was stunned. I felt as if I was in a scene from Dead Poet's Society or...

After I delivered the presentation to my students, the following Monday, they applauded at the end of the lecture. I was stunned. I felt as if I was in a scene from Dead Poet's Society or...

Anger

Why We Act Out of Character

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on October 29, 2010

As I walked up the stairway to the second floor I could hear shouting on the outside corridor. The voice was definitely from a woman and it was loud and full of anger. Then I heard a second voice, just above conversational level, but the pace of speech was fast and this...

As I walked up the stairway to the second floor I could hear shouting on the outside corridor. The voice was definitely from a woman and it was loud and full of anger. Then I heard a second voice, just above conversational level, but the pace of speech was fast and this...

Motivation

Planning Fallacy: Being realistic about how much time you have

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on October 25, 2010

In the book, A Mind of its Own, one of the subjects Cordelia Fine, Ph.D., discussed is people’s tendency to credit themselves for successfully completing tasks, but not recognizing their role in their failures to meet goals or deadlines. This repeated failure to...

In the book, A Mind of its Own, one of the subjects Cordelia Fine, Ph.D., discussed is people’s tendency to credit themselves for successfully completing tasks, but not recognizing their role in their failures to meet goals or deadlines. This repeated failure to...

Media

Social Networks - What do people get out of knowing you?

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on October 18, 2010

What I often find missing in a lot of discussions concerning social networks is a focus on how the individual can affect his network for positive change. In other words, many of us often ask how...

What I often find missing in a lot of discussions concerning social networks is a focus on how the individual can affect his network for positive change. In other words, many of us often ask how...

Media

Cultivation Theory: Do News Reports Affect Your Worldview?

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on September 30, 2010

As a child I knew that my grandmother and I perceived the world differently. As she grew older and became more homebound that difference expanded even more. She viewed the 'world' as more violent, corrupt and unsafe. It was reflected in...

As a child I knew that my grandmother and I perceived the world differently. As she grew older and became more homebound that difference expanded even more. She viewed the 'world' as more violent, corrupt and unsafe. It was reflected in...

Play

Deliberate Practice – Pt. 1: Knowing exactly what you want

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on July 13, 2010

When people develop the desire to excel, the natural assumption is that devoting a huge amount of time and effort to their goal is the way to achieve excellence. Yet, how many of us have devoted a lot of time and effort to something and would be considered mediocre at best?

When people develop the desire to excel, the natural assumption is that devoting a huge amount of time and effort to their goal is the way to achieve excellence. Yet, how many of us have devoted a lot of time and effort to something and would be considered mediocre at best?

Sport and Competition

Glee Club – Results Oriented vs. Process Oriented Approaches

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on June 13, 2010

What stands out for me on Glee is that character Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch. Although most likely new to most of the Glee audience she has been a regular in guy movies and TV shows such as The 40 Year old Virgin where she offered to de-virginize Andy Stitzer (played by Steve Carell) and Two and a Half Men where she plays a smart mouthed therapist.

What stands out for me on Glee is that character Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch. Although most likely new to most of the Glee audience she has been a regular in guy movies and TV shows such as The 40 Year old Virgin where she offered to de-virginize Andy Stitzer (played by Steve Carell) and Two and a Half Men where she plays a smart mouthed therapist.

Anger

Why “The Karate Kid” is all about being the New Kid!

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on June 12, 2010

It's the classic scenario. You are the new kid in the neighborhood and you've made friends quickly. The ‘move' isn't starting to seem so bad after all. There's even a cute ‘someone' who has taken an interest in you. You're all smiles and giggles at the new prospects and direction your life is going in.

Then the bubble bursts.

It's the classic scenario. You are the new kid in the neighborhood and you've made friends quickly. The ‘move' isn't starting to seem so bad after all. There's even a cute ‘someone' who has taken an interest in you. You're all smiles and giggles at the new prospects and direction your life is going in.

Then the bubble bursts.

Self-Help

The Law of Diminishing Returns - Or Overdoing it

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on June 6, 2010

Recently my wife and I moved from the suburbs to the city so I could be closer to college where I work. I had the misfortune of being stuck in traffic for two hours on the way to work the previous semester and had had enough. We had to move closer....

Recently my wife and I moved from the suburbs to the city so I could be closer to college where I work. I had the misfortune of being stuck in traffic for two hours on the way to work the previous semester and had had enough. We had to move closer....

As an adult being the new guy (or gal) takes on an entirely different meaning. The craziness of childhood bullying goes away and is often replaced by passive aggressive workplace behavior from workmates/colleagues and the occasional office tyrant. Many of you...

Confidence

The Science of Confidence

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on May 1, 2010

What do we do when faced with the task of building up others? After accepting this responsibility we are no longer the coached, a mentee, the counseled or the reader seeking knowledge. At this stage others look toward us for growth. How do we help them?

What do we do when faced with the task of building up others? After accepting this responsibility we are no longer the coached, a mentee, the counseled or the reader seeking knowledge. At this stage others look toward us for growth. How do we help them?

Self-Help

Andre Agassi's "Hot Water Courage"

Bakari Akil II Ph.D. on April 18, 2010

Andre Agassi in his book, Open, described a ritual he performed before every tennis match in order to prepare for ‘battle.' He would take a shower and...

Andre Agassi in his book, Open, described a ritual he performed before every tennis match in order to prepare for ‘battle.' He would take a shower and...