People of my generation and older have a thing about Millennials. We see these striving, impatient young people and think: patience, grasshopper. All in good time. We paid our dues and so should you. But then I remember myself before my hair went gray and I realize either this isn’t a generational thing, or I... Continue Reading →
Career Ladders and High Wires
I’m not sure why we talk about career ladders. Most career paths don’t look like ladders. Mine doesn’t, anyway. Career paths often look more like one of those ropes courses where you climb trees, walk on wires, crawl through hoops, and take zip lines. Hopefully all while harnessed. The path isn’t linear, and it doesn’t... Continue Reading →
On Writing: Parallel Construction
I like to write. That can make me a piss-poor writing coach – I think the best teachers are often the ones who have battled a subject hand-to-hand and understand its devilish ways, rather than those who see a subject through a lover’s uncritical eyes. But whether seen as pleasure or pain, writing is a craft,... Continue Reading →
Getting (Good) Feedback
And by “good” I mean useful feedback, not happy-smiley-rainbows feedback. Good feedback is helpful, timely, actionable. It is a proffered hand up rather than a kick in the pants. If we are wise, we let it make us better people. But what if the person who should be providing that feedback doesn’t, can’t, or won’t?... Continue Reading →
The F Word
Feedback. It can be a terrifying word. I don’t know which is more frightening, the thought of getting or giving feedback. Either one has the potential for conflict and hurt. What we don’t think much about, though, is that feedback truly is an opportunity for kindness and growth, whichever way it is going. Sometimes it... Continue Reading →
Embracing Sisyphus
When I leave for vacation or a work trip I often leave a backstopping memo for the team that will cover for me while I am gone. I have a guilty secret: to that list I always add some awful task that I have been hammering away at, or avoiding, for months and that refuses... Continue Reading →
Management Advice from Parenting Books
I don’t read many management books. My reading time is generally at the end of the day, off the clock, on my couch with my dog, and I don’t want to read about work. But I have found serious management wisdom in places I wasn’t looking for it. Like parenting books. I found this quotation in Alfie... Continue Reading →
Open Door Policy
I'm used to doing my work with the office door closed. In that quiet and privacy I edit communication strategies, write endless numbers of emails, and try to make project budgets come out right. When I need to, when I should, I open my office door and actually talk to people. It's hard for me,... Continue Reading →
Open Door Policy 