Essays on creative leadership,
culture, and the human side of work.
Published weekly, with an original illustration. Two series: Becoming and Advisory Notes.
Unrestrained pride in your abilities or achievements can lead to shame, humiliation, and—without correction—disaster. Excessive pride can sabotage your career. But unfortunately many of us experience a similar pattern: First we are strivers, then we are achievers, and then hubris takes hold. I’ve experienced this pattern more often than I care to admit. Maybe you…
In order to negotiate better, freelancers need to learn to love the fear of asking for more. (It’s not bravery or some magical power that helped me become a better negotiator; it was raw fear.) Fear can make us unable to think, unable to move. I’ve been so gripped by fear that my feet felt…
(published in Fast Company today) “I want to raise my rates from $90 to $125 an hour.” That was the first thing Jessica said on the call. It was followed by, “My accountant advised it.” Quickly followed by, “How do I tell my clients?” It’s a question I get asked all the time. Before I…
Sometimes, we are so scared of failure that we inevitably invite it into our lives. Here’s how to stop that from happening. The time was tight, the date near. I had an upcoming meeting for a much-needed new business for my design firm, and I knew that I needed to prepare. The thing is, we…
Lifelong lessons no kid should ever have to learn. “Teddy, what’s three times five?” It’s asked in a voice I can’t ignore. “Fifteen.” “And what’s four times five?” More demanding now. “Twenty,” I say, dreading the next question, knowing exactly where he’s going with this. Knowing, too, that tears are about to spill. They do.…
Standing between you and the offer is a hard-driving recruiter who’ll decide whether you get to meet with the hiring manager. What now? As soon as Mike walked into the room, the recruiter opened with, “I can’t believe you’re 15 minutes late.” Then, in a louder voice: “Don’t you have any respect for the company, for…
(As published in Fast Company, January 9, 2018) Stop trying to turn everyone into “team players.” Here’s how to set a baseline that everybody can commit to–no matter how different they are. When I started out as an illustrator and designer, I focused way too much on myself. I thought I was only expected to do…