“The thing about taking risks is, if it’s really a risk, you really can fail.”
“It’s only a pretend risk if you really can’t fail.” – Connie Britton.
… Read the rest
Paging Sue Leeson: “You Can Do Better”
Sometimes the best thing you can do to help someone is a firm tap and playing a bit of a noodge.
The fact of the matter is that people seldom improve without some sort of feedback, and if you don’t help them with it, who do you think will?
I thought of noodge (or nudge) as I sent a note back to a coaching client asking them to rework their “lighthouse letter” – a product that asks exec coaching clients to put down in one page the conversation their grandkids/grandnieces – nephews would have if the now 100-year old client overhead them describing the client’s life.… Read the rest
No Goal + No Plan = No Performance
“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 Perfect First “Real” Job?
Is there a perfect first “real” job?
Probably not. But there are some real stinkers to avoid if you have the choice.
And I’m not talking about summer jobs, volunteer work, and or that paid – or unpaid internship – that might be out there. All of them, IMHO, are important.
But for serious importance it’s hard to match that first fulltime real job.… Read the rest
Just Say No.
Life, careers and work are full of decisions.
Sometimes, though, the hardest yet best thing to say is one simple word: “No.”
We know from research (channel Ronald Reagan: “Facts are stubborn things.”) that all those little decisions we make every day take a toll and turns out it’s a big one.
Carmel macchiato with non-fat milk or 2% non-fat?… Read the rest
RIP for Back to School? Business Seldom Stops
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