I value my time a lot. Part of this may be due the fact that I run a business and I must be efficient to be profitable. But I believe most of it is just my nature. So, I was (to put it mildly) extremely annoyed the other day when I was standing in the […]
Tag Archives | Advice
Drawing a Line in the Sand
At what point are you crossing the line between professional roles? Between taking care of you vs your co-worker or boss? I think I cross the line over and over again. I continue on with the best intentions, never mind the backlash, fatigue or general suffering. If you’ve followed the course of my exit plan, […]
Covert Answers: Feeling Overwhelmed in a New Position?
Covert Leadership Agents respond to readers’ questions in the Covert Answers feature. Submit your question here. Dear Agents: I just (about a week ago) got promoted to a new position and I’m feeling completely overwhelmed with the amount of work. Should I tell anyone I need help? How can I do that without totally losing credibility? […]
The Stay-At-Home CEO
This post is not about the full-time (no, more than full time!) job of being a stay-at-home parent. Nope, it’s about running and managing a business from your home — the positives, the negatives, the crazy things people will say to you, and the single hardest thing about it for me. First, as a stay-at-home CEO, I’ve […]
What Do You Do When a Key Employee Wants to Leave
What do you do when someone in a key position in your company tells you they’re dissatisfied and thinking about leaving? (Maybe even asks for your help?) Do you do everything to hold onto your people, especially in a close-knit environment, or do you support the idea of employees moving on, knowing that your company […]
Holding up the Mirror
Are you good when receiving constructive criticism, or do you get really really really angry? Or hurt? Or both, and it depends on the timing or delivery? I grew up in a fairly blunt environment. I didn’t learn to self-edit before blurting out what was top of mind. And, in my reckless youth, I was […]
Eggs in One Basket
This theme is appropriate given it’s springtime. It’s also timely considering I’ve been struggling with the interviews, sneaking around my current employer, deciding if I want to focus on one company at a time or if I really want to diversify in order to expedite my departure. So I’ve been talking to folks on the […]
Covert Answers: Having “The Talk” with an Underperforming Colleague
Covert Leadership Agents respond to readers’ questions in the Covert Answers feature. Submit your question here. Dear Agents: I have a friend/colleague who isn’t pulling her weight on the team. Other people have noticed too, and I think she’s in danger of losing her job. I know she’s capable! How can I tell her this in […]
Interview, Round 2
What types of things happen during the second interview? Do you feel prepared when you are called back? Are you anxious or dreading the event? Although not very typical for me to be nervous for interviews, I was quite nervous all day. I felt like I usually do during race day. I’m not sure, honestly, […]
When in Doubt, Hit Delete
My neighbor is testimony to life after bad bosses. He recently left his sales job to work for a new technology company, and he was telling me a story that sounded so similar to many I’ve experienced at Company X. Whereas now he can simply ask for time or state that he needs a few […]
