I have a friend, let’s call him Manny. Manny is a psychotherapist. The other day he was asking me about some of the common terminology in my field of work. When I asked why, he explained that his client was having some difficulties in her personal life, with relationships etc., and his assessment was that […]
Archive | Riffs & Ideas
According to wiki, “In jazz and R&B, riffs are often used as the starting point for longer compositions”. In our case, we’d like to think of them as the starting point for random stories. This could be the random section where even whining is allowed. Heck, it could eventually turn into a song.
When Goal Setting Isn’t Enough
I have this employee who has been learning his role on-the-job now for several years. During the past two, he hasn’t received a promotion and he’s wondering why. After our informal discussion where he disclosed his frustrations, it was immediately clear to me the reason for his struggles. Doug is a superstar in his own […]
Fear and Uncertainty at Work
When times are tough at work, our foes start to reveal themselves: fear and uncertainty. When that happens, it’s time to regroup. In my last post, I talked about why I like having an executive coach. That’s only one of several ways to deal with those thoughts that can drag you down. I envy people […]
Unlearning Patterns
I know you are thinking it, and it’s probably true. About time that honeymoon period is over at work. I’ve been on a five month sprint, barely resurfacing for air and really feeling so lucky to be at my new company, that I’ve been in denial of the office power structure. But I have to […]
Managing with Care
There is a fine balance between caring too much and caring just enough. I sometimes land in the former camp. I think at least a few of us (Agents) probably complement each other in this area where one agent can play one side, while one of us plays the other. It’s a yin/yang mechanism, and […]
Have Baggage, Will Travel
Leaving is a process. I suppose it comes with about as much baggage as my collection of suitcases. First, there is the “leaving behind” of things. Client work. Unfinished proposals. Deals not yet closed. Unresolved feelings that, frankly, won’t be fixed any time soon. And then there are the people. They are family, really. It’s […]
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 […]
Considering a Work Life Collage
In an earlier post, I argued that it’s time to throw out the term Work Life Balance in favor of an idea that better represents modern work and modern life — where we are connected to both parts nearly 24/7. I suggested Work Life Collage, where pieces of “work” and “life” fit together in an […]
Planning and doing
David has been working at the same company for almost two decades. He is now a middle aged man, with his family to support. He used to really enjoy his career. He even felt passion for it. Today, he still likes his profession, but he suffers from depression due to his relationship with his boss. […]
Forgiveness
Have you ever been told to hire a director to report to you, and then find out later that he’s meant to take your role and you report to him? It happened to me. And I also unknowingly did the same thing to my first employee before it happened to me. It was a non-profit […]
