Communicating
January is ending but 2016 has a long way to go for me to produce
January is coming to an end, which means it’s getting a bit late for me to announce my new year’s resolution. I bet that folks who have declared their goals are either well on their way or have already given up. I’m in between. It’s been a back burner activity so far, but I do…
Read MoreWhat to do when it’s all bark and no bite
Ever had an employee who raised her hackles all the time? It’s tempting to coddle that person, in an attempt to avoid the unsavory hostility, but that just leads to more headaches and no resolution. Yesterday I took our two cats to the vet for their annual visit. Grace came along to get her nails clipped,…
Read MoreFinding beauty in the beast
Yesterday when I returned home and stepped out of my car, I nearly flattened this baby snake with my feet before I realized he was there. Given his small size, measuring no more than six inches, he didn’t scare me, but he did startle me. Snakes generally terrorize me; I realize it’s not a very rationale reaction. This…
Read MoreThese cool rodents exposed me to a new kind of rat race
In today’s business world, where being busy is a badge of honor, it’s easy to get caught up in the corporate rat race. Sometimes the pressure comes from a demanding organizational culture, sometimes we impose unrealistic expectations upon ourselves to do more, work harder. We feel compelled to achieve more than is humanly possible and feel…
Read MoreGive thanks to everyone, especially to those people who make you feel crazy
It’s pretty easy to be thankful for those people or things that we love, appreciate, or enjoy, especially when we learn that those things might go away. It was a year ago when Oliver, our active and headstrong then-three-year-old cat, had emergency surgery. I was at a conference that day and we had dropped Oliver…
Read MoreAre you managing your employees with tricks or treats?
So today is Halloween. A day when it’s acceptable — even encouraged — to scare the bejesus out of others. Or for those who aren’t into the ghoulish side of the scene, massive amounts of Snickers bars and candy corn make the day oh so sweet. It’s interesting that one occasion offers such opposing rituals! Sometimes we find…
Read MoreShould you be direct or politically correct when delivering a tough message?
Grace has a way of getting my attention when she wants something. Sometimes she’s diplomatic (positioning her body within view, perhaps even touching mine, coupled with a long, meaningful stare) and other times she can be very direct (incessant whining that she must know drives me over-the-top ‘will-you-please-STOP-that’ nuts). Her first attempt to communicate her…
Read MoreBring curiosity into conflict
I wanted to quit. Really, I did. Over the past several weeks, I’ve been participating with a volunteer group trying to work through a sticky issue. It’s an effort that I joined readily and am actively engaged in. Every person involved is smart and dedicated, we all are driving towards the same goal. A variety of…
Read MoreShould you give respect? Or is it only earned?
Managers should be given respect by their employees. That’s a statement that I’ve heard several times lately. It’s not a claim I agree with. Managers need to earn their respect. But I do believe that we have to give respect to the position and the decisions one makes it in, even if we don’t agree with…
Read MoreYou might be creating an unnecessary thunderstorm in your office
Lots of dogs are scared of thunder and lightning. Grace definitely falls into that category. There is no consoling her. She’s frozen in her fear, unable to comprehend any comforting words or actions I offer. She paces and cowers, wandering around with desperate eyes seeking a reasonable answer to what is happening around her. As…
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