Picking the right mentors
You may have heard the advice that it’s good to have a coach or a mentor. But beyond that, it can be confusing. Why? What should I expect? Who should […]
Understanding dumb decisions
One of the most frustrating things about working for other people is figuring out why they do such dumb things. Incomprehensible decisions seem designed to make your life difficult and […]
People can tell if you’re engaged in your work
It seems that recently many people, perhaps most, have struggled to be inspired by their work. With such an uncertain economy, 24/7 accessibility, fear of job loss, and lack of […]
Becoming world class
In Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers: The Story of Success, he stated that to achieve mastery in an area, it generally takes about 10,000 hours of serious learning, practice, and skill […]
You can’t manage time
When you think about it, “time management” is a ridiculous concept. Time always has been, and will continue to be, impossible to manage. Each of us is given 24 hours […]
It’s not always about getting a return
WIIFM?I imagine that you’re familiar with this acronym, which stands for “What’s In It For Me.” I first came across it in connection with the idea of asking this question […]
“This Problem” or “That Problem”? A Matter of Perspective
Let me have you ponder the difference between these two questions: “Why is this problem important?” “Why is that problem important?” It’s a pretty subtle distinction, but potentially quite crucial. […]
When getting visibility is a good thing
The word “visibility” has gotten a bit of a bad rap inside organizations. I’ve seen it associated with concepts of playing politics, whitewashing, and generally creating a false image. If […]
Having a larger goal gives you freedom
Why bother with a big goal? That’s an interesting question, actually, because focusing on your life or career goals can be a bit of work. It’s much easier to just […]
Having a larger goal gives you motivation
The term Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) was introduced by James Collins and Jerry Porras in 1996. It’s a powerful concept. It’s one thing to have a goal that’s practical. […]