Thoughts on people, teams, organizations, communities, effectiveness and success
A new cost of living index for 195 worldwide cities was recently published. If you’re living in San Francisco, only New York City is more expensive in North America – and the City by the Bay is the 9th most expensive worldwide.
Data is here.
Places like Kansas City, St. Louis, Nashville, Orlando, Salt Lake City and Austin look like bargains compared to New York City, London, Geneva, Olso, Singapore and Zurich.… Read the rest
It’s great to have choices but what if it’s a quandary?
One job offer is a role that fits you to a “T” with a boss with an awful reputation, the other is a poor-fit job with a well-regarded terrific boss.
While some thrill to have any job offer, figuring out which of these to take can be tough.
The right role fits you like a glove; it’s got stretch when you need it, and plays to your strengths, not your liabilities.… Read the rest
Jack Hawley, one of the smartest OD people I’ve ever known, once shared the Native American saying that “to travel fast 
you have to travel light.”
It applies to people (whether it’s actual luggage or their own personal baggage) but it also applies to startups and any other organizations.
The fact is that it’s hard to be nimble when you’re big, or small with lots of extra stuff that you’re carrying around.… Read the rest
“No, no, no” I thought to myself as the senior executives at the leadership team retreat I facilitated outlined their “objectives” for the year.
A goal is simply something you plan to do; it becomes more meaningful when you have a time frame attached to it.
Goals are not, as I saw at the retreat, a rostering of things that people might do, might consider, or might explore with no time frame attached.… Read the rest
The parent’s “Welcome Coffee” at my son’s grade school on the first day-of-school was nicely done, complete with homemade pastries and breakfast items, and greetings from the Head of School and other luminaries. A chance to catch up with friends and acquaintances, and a marker (e.g. think the literal ringing of a school bell) to start the school session.
After a summer break, school – and work for the faculty and staff who count the school as their employer – was back in session.… Read the rest
If you live in a certain City by the bay, sooner or later little surprises you.
Annoy you? Yes. Delight you? Often. Alarm, disappoint, thrill, and endear? Always.
It’s those differences that make the place so special. Take away those difference and ultimately it leads to one destination; the land of boring, common, even mediocre.
Some workplaces are just like that City.… Read the rest