January 2012
2 posts
How Do I Get Out of an Argument with an Irrational... →
Really good tips.
9 really useful skills of April Ludgate →
Recruiters beware! Just because someone is confident and experienced doesn’t mean they’re a good fit for your organization. [Humor alert]
December 2011
5 posts
Top Ten Reasons Why Large Companies Fail To Keep... →
In my opinion, #10 is the most important. I’ll prove it; how many of the other reasons can be directly traced to the impact of the direct manager?
Apology to my readers
I post many links to articles that I think are helpful for those of us navigating the overlap of work life and personal life. The source of many of them is the bloggers at Harvard Business Review (HBR.org). Recently, HBR has begun requiring readers to register (for free) at their web site to gain unrestricted access to their network of blogs.
I apologize for the inconvenience. I still think the...
A Simple Communication Mistake to Avoid →
“I paused for a moment, looked up, and took a deep breath. The beauty of the snow-covered trees was incredible. And that’s when I finally realized: I’m an idiot.”
The Generous Marriage →
Generosity and goodwill are very highly correlated with high levels of marital satisfaction. My guess is that “please” and “thank you” are likewise highly correlated.
Job Seekers: Get HR on Your Side →
Remember, the people screening your resume are human. If their impression of you isn’t good, your chances go down. And other tidbits of wisdom.
November 2011
11 posts
Master the New Gmail with These Tips, Shortcuts... →
If you like to tweak your tools, give it your best shot.
David Brooks: IMHO →
What is genuine humility? Is it the same as modesty? And what about self esteem? This is a well-thought-out discussion with perhaps little immediate practical application besides making you a better person.
Scientists prove telecommuting is awesome →
Some good old scientific data (with a control group) offers support for productivity gains through telecommuting.
(N.B. Note that the type of work was not a variable. The job description appears ideal for a telecommuting job. YMMV.)
Final Cut: Words to Strike from Your Resume -... →
Office Depot's President on How "Mystery Shopping"... →
Use a critical eye on your metrics. The author wondered, “Why are sales sliding when customer satisfaction scores are outstanding?” Surprise! They were measuring the wrong things.
Unlimited talk, text, data, everything for... →
Republic has programmed their phone(s) to use Wi-Fi for everything whenever you’re in range, keeping down their costs. When out of range, it uses Sprint’s network. No overage charges. Hmm… .
How to Make (and Sustain) a Good First Impression... →
What's in a (First) Name →
The author suggests we embrace the universal use of first names and, if we’re uncomfortable with that, just get over it.
I disagree. If you’re calling a CEO you just met by his or her first name, you may be putting yourself at ease, but you’re taking advantage of the fact that you only have one chance to make a bad first impression. Scan for cultural cues and take the situation...
“Myth #1: Multitasking is critical in a world of infinite demand.
Myth #2: A...”
– Four Destructive Myths Most Companies Still Live By - Tony Schwartz - Harvard Business Review
A Non-Designer's Guide to Creating Awesome... →
Crushing mediocre Powerpoint presentations, one dreadful slide at a time.
October 2011
9 posts
How to Be Your Own Therapist and Solve the More... →
Speaking as a therapist, the advice here is pretty good.
How to Build a Personal Career Plan and Plot a... →
A pretty good run-through of how to coach yourself out of “stuck” and into momentum. (If you’re an extrovert, it can be helpful to find a friend to act as a sounding board to listen to you talk it through.)
“A study published in the September 2009 issue of the journal Psychology and...”
– 6 Scientific Tips for a Successful Marriage | Advice for a Happy Marriage | Relationships | LiveScience
10 Tips to Guarantee You'll Run Your Business Into... →
My friend Dave isn’t just a great graphic designer. He has some acute business smarts as well. I particularly liked Tip #5.
The Benefits of Speaking Aloud →
Speaking in order to write and present well. Such a concept.
“When thinking about exercise we focus on the unpleasant start rather than the...”
– Forecasting Myopia: Why Exercise is More Fun Than We Predict — PsyBlog
I suspect this “forecasting myopia” affects contemporary attitudes about becoming parents, too.
7 Reasons Why Many Smart People Fail to Lead →
If you can overlook the grammatical awkwardness in the first sub-header, you may find good food for thought about why promoting top performers into leadership sometimes implodes.
Are You Too Knowledgeable? →
This doesn’t get written about very often, but most of us have been affected by it, one way or another.
September 2011
10 posts
The Five Drivers of Happiness at Work →
A Smarter Way to Network →
Data shows that high performers have strong ties to:
People who offer new information or expertise
Formally powerful people
People who give them developmental feedback
Note: Networking articles are a dime a dozen. This one is worthwhile. Free registration required to view entire article.
Change the Way You Think About Job Hunting →
“Logical thinking is only modestly helpful when it comes to choosing a career.”
If your first response is “What else is there?”, you may want to read this article.
Happiness and Your Company →
“… [A] new economics is emerging that questions the meaning of prosperity and posits that instead of focusing on growing wealth we ought instead to focus on growing wellbeing.”
10 Psychological Keys to Job Satisfaction →
All you managers and would-be managers out there — pay attention to these.
The Problem With Narcissistic Leaders →
People generally feel positive about a narcissistic leader at first, but their impressions become more negative over time. As the article says, “But by then we’re stuck with them.”
Embrace Your Irrational Colleagues →
How to deal with seemingly irrational arguments or resistance.
” No matter how many well-constructed arguments you offer, you won’t make headway until you understand the underlying motivation that is driving the other person.”
How Teddy Bears Can Make Your Company More Ethical... →
The presence of child-related cues in the room (plush toys, nursery rhymes, crayons) led to more ethical and pro-social behavior. No, I’m not kidding. I think there’s something to learn here.
“How could companies that knew better fall into these traps? Because the...”
– “How to Prevent Self-Inflicted Disasters”, Strategy + Business
August 2011
9 posts
10 Myths About Introverts →
Do you know your Myers-Briggs type? If not, you should.
“The aim is not just to give the student an assignment to find material on...”
– Adapting to changing perceptions - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News
5 golden rules for productive digital... →
Narcissists rise to the top because people mistake... →
Teams led by big egos rated the leader as effective but, in fact, those teams reached inferior conclusions.
The First Requirement for Becoming a Great Boss →
Courage to see ourselves as others see us, even if it doesn’t mesh with what we expect. Good article for those who want to blot out those blind spots one by one.
Coaching for New Women Managers →
Helpful site with advice and guidelines about many issues for the newer manager. Some content is specifically aimed at women; some will be helpful to all.
Learn to Speak the Three Languages of Leadership -... →
Where Will You Be in Five Years? - Amy Gallo -... →
You will get this question in a job interview. Be ready.
Five Rules for Innovating in a Shaky Economy →
Tips on how to invest in shaky times so you’re well positioned later.
July 2011
4 posts
Why Google+ could find a home in the workplace →
Makes sense - you can choose which people (your organization, your team, your project group) you’re sharing with and listening to. Anybody trying this?
3 skills that enable remote work success →
Here’s something else that would be a shame for a manager to have to learn the hard way.
Why Middle Managers May Be the Most Important... →
Hunted from above and below, middle managers have to strike an elusive balance. Are they key players? This article says, “Yes they are.”
From Freelancers to Telecommuters: Succeeding in... →
Quotations from a former boss (Stew Friedman) and former faculty member (Susan Ashford). Must be good.