When Your Back’s Against the Wall
I am often sent notes from my blog readers that inspire me to keep writing. A few of you from time-to-time even send pictures. Such was the case last week, when a reader ran across a graffiti wall in New York. If you can’t see the picture, here’s what it says: When your back is against the wall Turn around and write on it. What a lovely message to remind us that we always have options if we choose to [...]
Move Away from the Shadow
I have enjoyed watching two previous clients receive big promotions this quarter. The announcements came within a few weeks of each other, and what I found most interesting was how similar their stories were. Although they were in different companies, they were both highly creative women, who worked in the shadows of their male boss’s. When I first began to work with them, they were seen as an appendage to their leader. Although each woman had a great relationship with her [...]
You Are the Bigger Name
We have all been there. Somebody walks in the room and asks us to do something, and then attributes the request to the boss, chairman, or business owner to make it seem important. We are left wondering why the “bigger name” had to be dropped. Is this a directive, threat, or just an insecure person using the power of somebody else’s name? There are occasions when we have to pass down a mandate from the boss and using their name [...]
The Meaning of Love
A boy liked a girl in grade school. He teased her, she ignored him, and thus he teased her more. Love, she thought, was annoying. In high school, the boy grew taller. Secretly, the girl found him attractive and amusing. Somehow knowing this, the boy began to write her notes. On Valentine’s day, he sent her a card. I know there are 439 guys you want to date before me, but I will wait. Let me know if you need [...]
A True Apology
We all mess up. We forget to do something we said we would do, or don’t include someone who should have been included. We may say something insensitive that hurts another or react with an emotional outburst we later regret. We are humans and we make mistakes. But that is only the first offense. The next can be how we handle it. A true apology goes beyond the words “I’m sorry.” If you are regretful, and want to mend the [...]
The performance review question you are never asked
Many of my clients are in the middle of performance reviews. You know the drill. Your boss calls you into the office and you awkwardly discuss your performance based on some kind of subjective rating system. In the review, you will likely be judged on the speed, quality and accuracy of your deliverables. You may even run into a few “soft skills”, like your ability to work well with a team, think strategically, or present your ideas in a public forum. The [...]