“Every time I look at my pocketbook, I see Jackie Robinson.”
Willie Mays
The Catch: Willie Mays hauls in Vic Wertz’s drive at the warning track in the 1954 World Series. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
… Read the rest
Are You a Mensch or Mouse?
We’ve all been there. You too.
The rumors and gossip are swirling.
The job or organization fit that your colleague/ coworker / friend hoped would work out looks like it won’t.
And now people treat them as they’re leaving under their own power as if they’re radioactive and there’s a do not disturb sign on their forehead.
Do you approach them and offer a hand, a hug or help or do you keep your distance?… Read the rest
Illusions
“Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist but you have ceased to live.” Mark Twain
… Read the rest[Life Back West] December 2013 – What Would Agnes Do?
She has been dead for over a decade and I still remember the first time we met as if it was yesterday.
Over 70, she summoned me from across Liberty Street with a wave of her hand as I wondered what a stranger was doing motioning to me. Newly moved from Chicago, it was definitely not something that would happen in the Windy City unless the person was psychotic.… Read the rest
[Life Back West] October 2013 – Kismet?
“Kismet” the CEO asked?
“Yes, kismet,” I said. “The not-so-accidental fact that I’m working with someone who has some of the same strengths and challenges that I have. The good news? I know them well.”
The CEO’s direct report was the client, someone I’ll call “Bob,” did indeed have a skill set that reminded me of me; hardworking, a nose for the business, great rapport with people below him on the corporate pecking order, broad interests and knowledge, smart (well, maybe not that part) and the ability to be too candid when greater diplomacy was in retrospect warranted.… Read the rest
Lose Your Voice?
“Did you lose your voice?”
It was the first question my exec coaching client asked himself as the chairman went around the room polling everyone’s thoughts.
“Worse,” my client said, “I knew it was a really bad idea and everyone else knew it too.”
Research by social scientists documents the dangers of groupthink; an opinion gets started, a couple of people agree, and pretty soon you have a tidal wave of sentiment pushing in one direction.… Read the rest