Why were you fired? “I’m not altogether sure”

Fired red stamp

It happens.

Out of the blue an exec (or anyone else) gets whacked.

Sometimes it’s a clear quantitative reason (e.g. sales goals weren’t met).

But many times it’s not. And that not-so-clear can be for a host of reasons frequently including “bad” fit.

And at the top, where competence is a given, fit is what what sometimes gets you hired and more often than not, fit is what gets you fired.… Read the rest

[Life Back West] Early Autumn 2014 – The Big Reset

We might sell our Dolores Park area home, a house we’ve lived in for 20 years.

But then again, if the price isn’t right, we might not.

English: Value function in Prospect Theory, dr...

We might pare down early – accelerating a plan 10 years out – and buy a place in Stanley Saitowitz’ minimalistic 8 Octavia in Hayes Valley.

But then again, if we don’t sell our home in Dolores Park at the right price, we might not.Read the rest

The Colleague: “Eeyore”

While not abundant, you can spot them everywhere.

Eeyore as depicted by Disney

They are the sorts of colleagues who turn a ray of sunshine into a warning about skin cancer.

In a world of glass half-full or glass half-empty, they manage to always find the latter. It’s as if the coin flip for heads or tails always landed on one side, not the other.

They are colleagues nicknamed “Eeyore.Read the rest

Stay or Jump? The New Boss

 

My Boss My HeroThe all-day meeting with the exec staff ended up focused on one point:

“What should we tell the new CEO?

Hunch is everyone wants to do well with the new boss.

While there is the occasional new CEO that parachutes in, the rumor mill or extensive interview vetting usually gives you an idea who the new gal/guy might be.… Read the rest

[Use with Caution] “Some of Us Were Talking…”

There are phrases that bring out smiles and there are strings of words that generate frowns.

Gossip

Here’s one that can do both: “Some of us were talking…

Like other “traffic signal” words and phrases – things like “but” as in “You’ll like it but it might be bumpy” or “just” as in “He’s just another candidate” – these words or phrases are best used sparingly and with smart intent.… Read the rest