Essays on creative leadership,
culture, and the human side of work.
Published weekly, with an original illustration. Two series: Becoming and Advisory Notes.
Sometimes our idealistic goals break down in a drama packed moment – a moment where we think the end justifies the means. This is an incident, underpinned by shame, that I’ve remembered for years. A moment where I departed from my principled methods and paid the guilty price. My strategy director met me at the…
This story describes how sexual harassment plays out differently in the workplace depending on which gender is on the receiving end. These experiences showed me, again, how the power of male privilege shapes expectations and outcomes. It was the final stretch of what had been a long, competitive battle. One final dinner, with the prospective…
We evolved the ability to size each other up instantly thousands of years ago. Now, it is generally known through psychological studies, that our snap judgments of others are quite accurate. Separating friend from foe is all about self-preservation, after all. How we present ourselves to others instantly sets the stage for how the relationship…
There are many realities. And truth is often elusive. Is your work about shaping perceptions to persuade? Or, are you creating something for others to see and understand in a new way? Or, perhaps you’re creating simply for others to enjoy. Is the medium itself the message? Do you think about how what you create…
Do you remember a time when you made a clear shift in your life? A time when you went from being one thing to being another––a shift that changed you forever? I sure have. I bet you’ve had this happen to you too. I’d love to hear your story. If you have a moment send…
Lost your job? Lost the pitch? Dealing with a bully? Read this article for help.
Very little advice about asking for a raise tells you what to actually say. Here are some actual scripts and how to use them.