What a Paradox. I believe I am paid for my advice when in fact I am here to listen. Hosting a table at the Berkshire Small Business Expo was a great reminder of how important it is to meet with clients. Talking to prospective entrepreneurs, solopreneurs and future founders, I suggust they keep their intention…
Category: Leadership & Management
Is Frank Sinatra a Liar?
I think Frank Sinatra promulgated a big lie in his hit song, My Way: Regrets, I’ve had a few. I have many more than a few regrets. Jobs I could have approached differently. People I should have listened to more. Books I wanted to write. Speaking gigs that I missed. And of course, relationships that…
Sorry: A Toolkit Essential
Yesterday, I started a meeting with an apology. My exact words: I apologize for not being ready and on-time for our last meeting. The response from my Coach: I accept, thank you. Especially since my column today in Forbes is on apologies. It’s on Ken Blanchard’s new book. Let’s leave it at that. And that’s…
Being Right About Difficult People
Difficult people all have one thing in common. They make your day more complicated. They take you away from your focus and impact your role at work and at home. Usually not for the better for all involved. Mindtools, a 25-year-old one-stop hub filled with resources helps people to enjoy happy careers. What a coincidence!…
The Unfair Advantage
It doesn’t happen often but when it does, it’s like manna from heaven. Information that falls in your lap. Intel you need to deal with a situation. A competitive edge. What to do? It’s a conundrum alright. Use it to my advantage or play fair? And then I thought about a meeting I was in…
Labels and Truths About Managers
Shonda Rhimes, an American television producer, screenwriter, and author, is a master at pulling back the curtain and showing the inner workings of her characters. She pinpoints what makes that person tick. Through each character’s choices, she raises truths we don’t want to talk about and shows us how we lie to ourselves. In…
Build Your Bench Strength
One of my favorite mantras is: Work is a Team Sport. After facilitating lots of Techstars Startup Weekends (so fun!) and mentoring in three consecutive EForALL cohorts (so much work but worth it), I know it is more true than ever. Team Leaders and Sr. Managers need bolstering to manage up and down and…
Happy 2022!
May you find joy in all you do, even when it’s a messy job. May purpose and relevance define you. May happiness spread far and wide to all you see and know and learn. What’s Next: Lean into all that invites you to learn, try and discover. Make your own happiness. With love and understanding. …
Hold the Flashlight. Lessons From My Father.
My father died 42 years ago and his voice still booms in my head. “Hold the flashlight.” Barking orders as if he was still serving in the Korean War, “higher, steadier” and then the clincher “are you paying attention?” As it turns out I was. Countless hours of my youth were spent in the basement,…