Author Archive | Melissa Pigott

Do You Want My Opinion or My Tacit Agreement?

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 30, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consultants

Many people ask me for my opinions. My opinions are solicited by family, friends, and clients, and sometimes, even by strangers. I would go as far as saying I am a professional giver of opinions, in that my clients retain me primarily for my expert opinions and advice about their high stakes lawsuits. Sometimes, however, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 30, 2023

This topic is obviously very real and concerning to Melissa. The nature of the two relationships with which Melissa was dealing in this situation made it even more difficult. Fortunately, I do not think I have faced such a conflicting situation. I may be guilty of offering unsolicited advice or suggestions, and sometimes, a best […]

I Hear Things

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 23, 2023

Category: Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants

I hear things. You’ve got that right: I hear things. I often hear things other people cannot hear. My eyesight is extremely limited (in fact, I am legally blind without corrective lenses) and, as such, I have always relied on my keen sense of sound. In addition, because I have been a musician for almost […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 23, 2023

Most of us enjoy having 5 senses, and I won’t venture into a 6th sense; I can attest to Melissa’s keen sense of hearing. It goes well beyond her listening ability, for which our clients pay dearly. Melissa can hear so well that the mocking birds in our yard that start singing wake her with their […]

Don’t Make the Boss’ Job More Difficult

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 16, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Business Relationships, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants

In the 50 years since I started my first job, I have been an employee for 20 years and an employer for 30 years. In my roles as employee, then employer, I have often marveled at some people’s absence of awareness of a fundamental workplace principle: Don’t make the boss’ job more difficult. There are […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 16, 2023

I knew Rosemary, Melissa’s assistant at the hospital where they worked. Rosemary was the epitome of professionalism and did her job in an excellent fashion which is why it was not long that she went from working for Melissa to working for Melissa’s boss. In the 30+ years of Magnus we have, fortunately, had team […]

Be Nice

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 9, 2023

Category: Business personalities, Common Courtesy, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Giving Back, Growing Old is Not for Sissies, Life Outside of Work, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Travel

Be nice. That’s easy to understand, but sometimes, difficult to do. What does it mean to “be nice”? I never gave it much thought until I had lunch at a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale several years ago. The restaurant’s slogan is “be nice” and they have bumper stickers with this motto for anyone to take. […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 9, 2023

The opposite of being nice, that is, being mean, seems to have a much higher degree of visibility. Mean sells, mean makes the news. The increased political polarization of our United States seems to increase meanness, and decrease niceties. For some, the example of “leaders” behaving badly translates into a belief that those behaviors are […]

The Ability to Understand Others’ Perspectives

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On May 2, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Life Outside of Work, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Mental Health, Psychology, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. This includes me. When conducting mock jury or other social psychological research, I almost always encourage the open expression of differing views by informing our research participants that “There are no wrong opinions or points of view.” I know some people who enjoy verbal sparring, however, I […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On May 2, 2023

In our often politically polarized world, it appears difficult for some people to accept that other people have valid, opposing, opinions. Our work involves watching “regular people” who are recruited to participate in our mock juries or focus groups express their opinions. Clearly, some people are more adamant about their own opinions than others. Some […]

When Not to Wear Shorts

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 25, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Business personalities, Careers, Employment, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Marketing your Business, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants, Trial Consulting

I live in Florida. I have lived in Florida almost all my life, with the exception of living out of state for a couple of years for employment reasons. I know it’s hot in my home state of Florida. I live here and if you’re hot when we are together, I am probably hot too. […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 25, 2023

In my mind, there are many “costumes” which are appropriate in different situations. As a photographer, I dressed to blend into the environment where I would be shooting. If it was a business event, I would wear a shirt/tie or sometimes, a tuxedo, to seem to be a part of the event. Casual events, like […]

I’m pretty fast myself

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 18, 2023

Category: Business Partnerships, Business personalities, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Getting Through Life and Work, Jury Consultants, Litigation Consultants, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Small Business Success, Travel, Trial Consultants

One of my favorite things to say is. “I’m pretty fast myself.” This quote didn’t originate with me. As usual, it is a line from a song, this time, from “Better Not Look Down” by B. B. King. The day I am writing this post is my first day back at work since David and […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 18, 2023

Melissa likes speed, in addition to working fast. She drove a Corvette, fast, for many years. More than any other car she’s had. But it fit her personality as did subsequent cars, several of which had propensities for speed that were less obvious than the Vette. Her perspective is full speed ahead, get things done, […]

Someone else will do it – but I’m the someone else

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 11, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Common Courtesy, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Jury Consultants, Jury Research, Litigation Research, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Small Business Success, Trial Consultants

“I’ll get around to it.” “ I was going to do that.” “Oh, you beat me to it.” I hear these comments on a frequent basis. Most people move more slowly than me, including some who go through life at a snail’s pace. When I start cleaning up their mess, picking their trash off the […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 11, 2023

It becomes a personal challenge of mine to stay ahead of Melissa, where I can. And, there are many times when she wants something done that I’ve already accomplished. Further, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cleaned up something that she never saw on the floor and our counters, at home or the […]

I Don’t Write Paychecks

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On April 4, 2023

Category: Business Frustrations, Business Partnerships, Careers, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Getting the Job Done, Magnus, Magnus Insights, Magnus Research, Managing Employees, Small Business Success

David and I have owned and operated Magnus for 30 years. We have employed countless people, including many whose names have faded into obscurity. During all the years we have been in business, David and I have had different job duties. David’s job includes the administrative, finance, human resources, vendor relationship, and client liaison roles, […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On April 4, 2023

Terminating employees is one of the least pleasant tasks I have. Even when an employee has done something blatantly wrong and is deserving of immediate termination, knowing the ramifications for the employee it is difficult, to do so. I hope most people who have the power of termination feel that way. Yet, we’ve had some […]

How Did You Love?

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

On March 28, 2023

Charlie Watkins and I have been friends since 1964, when we were in first grade together at Allen Park Elementary School in Fort Myers, Florida. There are many things I like, and love, about my friend, Charlie, including our shared fondness for beautiful flowers; our mutual love of rock and roll music, played loudly; and […]

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

On March 28, 2023

I think the idea conveyed by the question “How Did You Love?” is worth considering in our world which is so full of stress and strife. Perhaps I’d modify the question a bit, and ask, “How Did You Live?” Too many people seem to live their lives not in love, but in meanness, anger, and […]

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Author Archive | Melissa Pigott

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

A Point of View

Melissa Pigott, Ph.D.

Another View

David H. Fauss, M.S.M.

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