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 […]
Female Critics
As professionals, do you ever notice how women can be either our best friends or our biggest critics? I ran into a friend today at the doctor’s office. She was telling me about her conversation with a top-level female executive of a large product company. My friend is the current speech writer for several corporate […]
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? […]
Leaving the familiar
I was sitting across from potentially four new co-workers during my third interview, and was suddenly struck by the thought that this could be my new work family. Amazing to think, I’ve been cheating on my current company by dating the new company. AND I would potentially embrace these unknown entities who would, over time, […]
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 […]
5 Questions NOT to Ask People Who Work from Home
Hello World, it’s time for an unplugged letter. Please, please, please(!) stop asking me these questions about how I can possibly work from home. I find them at best, annoying — and at worst, offensive — and I bet I’m not the only one. I know you are just curious, but here’s how it makes me […]
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 […]
