Public servants have a hard enough time without giving each other grief. And yet, how many of us are guilty of taking part in office gossip? I try to be a Good Human, but I sometimes fail. And I sometimes gossip. Reflecting on this, I’ve realized that I had no “Gossip Strategy”. Now I do.Read… Read more »
Once a contract is in place, there is a sense of relief and completion. If the service is being performed reasonably well, the contract can become a document that is rarely or never referenced again. Contract amendments are often not considered except at unavoidable points in the relationship such as time extensions, changes in scopeRead… Read more »
I learned a new phrase this week: “time confetti.” It’s a phrase that Brigid Schulte, author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love, And Play When No One Has The Time uses to describe the harried mishmash of time in modern life. Our days are sliced to ribbons by hordes of overlapping responsibilities, our constant connectivity to workRead… Read more »
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” – Jim Rohn Highly successful people have learned the word “no”. That is the reason they are paid more and promoted faster. When you truly want to do something, like sleep in late, but you don’t because you know that you have a deadline to beat, you’veRead… Read more »
“Do you love me?” “No.” After 25 years, my husband gets to say that when I ask a stupid question. “I had a question to ask. Can I interrupt you for a minute?” “Why is it that you always call when I’m trying to write?” “I’m trying to be more collaborative with you. And we’re inRead… Read more »
I’m going to let you in on a little secret (but I should warn you, you may not like it!) There’s no such thing as a problem employee… or a bad boss… or a lousy colleague. These people just aren’t sitting in the right chair. See, somewhere along the line, they failed to ask aRead… Read more »
Lao Tzu once said “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” Everyone defines leadership differently in this world. Some believe that a leader exudes charisma, offers a valid vision or inspires the staff to do above andRead… Read more »
The world is divided into two camps: Those who trumpet the rise of Big Data. Those who want to shoot it dead. Legitimate opinions of course may vary. But in my own personal observation, the more emphatically you pound your fist on the table, the more your opinion is based in fear. Here is a primer on theRead… Read more »
“You will always be on the margins because all you have are these idealistic notions that don’t apply.” That’s the fictional CEO in Amazon’s Enlightened, chewing out whistleblower Amy, played by Laura Dern. “Well if caring about something other than money is dopey, I’m a fuckin’ moron.” Amy started the series as an angry, ruthless career-climber. SheRead… Read more »
“Let’s begin the staff meeting, all right?” Everybody rustles to their seats. “How you doing Joe? How was your weekend?” “Good. We caught the football game. What a killer.” I do not like, watch or endorse football and am praying this does not devolve into a discussion. On my left Mary whispers, “Pass me aRead… Read more »