lead with character - it's better.
The beginning of the school year holds a tiny bit of magic. It’s the same magic that can be found at the beginning of a story – a good one with a beginning, middle, and an end. The arc of this good story has a magnetism that pulls you toward it, asking you to climb […]
It’s September. Start Your Story. Read More »
Ok, it’s Tuesday morning. Have any of your colleagues made you nuts so far this week? I bet at least one has. And, depending on the severity of his or her behavior, you may have gone on a momentary mental tirade about that person and thought, “Why do they have to be SO annoying?!” I
Decreasing Workplace Annoyances Read More »
Here’s a question: how many of us consider wildly subjective factors when making management decisions? Things like justifying an employee’s odd behavior because his kid just left for college; or choosing one intern over another because his name is only one letter off from your favorite author’s and that seems like a nice coincidence; or
Mars in Retrograde & Other Workplace Issues Read More »
We all struggle with how to make our lives what we want them to be. Our goals, dreams, tasks, obligations, chores and aspirations all compete for our attention. Add the goals and needs of others – spouses, parents, children, friends, colleagues, etc. – and it is a miracle our brains can possibly organize our lives
Work/Life Balance is Bunk. Read More »
I recently witnessed the birth of a cynic. It was one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen. And as I watched it happen, I felt powerless to stop it. A smart, effective, loyal employee had endured several years of oppressive management at a job he liked and was now a working for new ownership
The Sad Value of Cynics Read More »
Using the data of emotion. No one wants to deal with the guy who is prone to losing his temper and pounding his fists in meetings. We often avoid the gal who berates coworkers and subtly shames them in front of others. Our eyes quickly look at the floor if a colleague gets teary when
Irene’s Contribution to Management Theory Last week Hurricane Irene clobbered Vermont. Though she was officially a tropical storm by the time she made her way up the coast and into western New England, Irene dumped enough wind and water on the Green Mountains to turn a dozen towns into islands, wash homes and base lodges
Powerful Waves of Emotion in Vermont Read More »
Nope, this is not some weird mashup. This is what I realized I was doing while fighting a needless mental battle about the work tasks I resent. I, unlike Alice, strive to take the advice I give. Since my job is to help people become better communicators, it’s fairly vital that I do it well.
Alice in Wonderland is Raging Against the Machine. Read More »
In the US, we like people with independent spirits: people who want to blaze new trails, be masters their fate, and stake their claims. We like rugged individuals who are capable of rolling with the punches and figuring things out as they go, always ready with the self-confident knowledge that if there is a will
Asking Worker Bees to Wing It Read More »
I wrote this piece a year ago. I just had the same experience last week – different group, different profession, same problem. Last week I listened to a group of professionals talk about their work. They are all lawyers by training, but that’s not what they do for work. I was asked to give
