As I write this newsletter, we’re in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. It’s a crisis because we can’t maintain the old ways of living and working—unless we’re willing to tolerate significant disease and death. And, we don’t know the way forward yet. We can’t solve the big problem of COVID-19—how to keep people healthy and achieve […]
When Is the Right Time to Solve This Problem? Read More »
In my consulting work, I work with a variety of leaders in organizations. Some have title-based responsibilities, such as VP, Director, Manager. Some have position-based responsibilities, such as Product Owner, project manager, Scrum Master. Their responsibilities weigh on them. And, they speak about these responsibilities differently. Sometimes, they discuss being responsible for other people’s work. I see
Are You Responsible To or For? Read More »
It’s the new year (Happy New Year!). Many gyms, weight loss programs, and educational programs focus on catching the people who like resolutions. I have never succeeded at resolutions. Never. That’s too many years to not succeed at something. Instead, I recommend you consider one, two, or maybe three watchwords for next year. By watchword, I mean the idea of
Three Options for Your Next Year’s Watchword Read More »
As I’ve written these tips, I’ve offered possible ways to see your actions and maybe even your life. That’s because adaptability is the ability to recognize an altered situation. (Our resilience is how fast we are able to choose other actions to respond to that altered situation.) I need to consider my “why,” my purpose,
CAL Tip #15: Define Your Purpose, Your Why Read More »
When I was a kid, my entire family was confused by a guy in the neighborhood. He never seemed happy. He always seemed to have a big sigh or some kind of complaint. I think my dad started this theory: the neighborhood guy was the kind of person who went down into the basement to have his
CAL Tip #14: Bring Your Sense of Humor Out of the Basement Read More »
I celebrated my fourth anniversary of having a Fitbit this past July. I took a little time to retrospect on my progress. When I first started to walk, I didn’t have a specific goal except to walk. My vertigo interfered with the way I walk. Because I lurched from side to side, I slowed way
CAL Tip #13: Build Stamina Through Perseverance Read More »
I like many kinds of vegetables of all colors: broccoli, cauliflower, the various cabbages, you name it. However, I hate asparagus. Asparagus tastes like the inside of an old tin can to me. I can tolerate asparagus if it’s cooked in some way so I can drench it in butter and salt. Yes, I mean drenched. Because who doesn’t
CAL Tip #12: Create & Use Experiments Read More »
Many people focus on the process for their work. When I cook, I, ahem, attempt, to clean the kitchen as I proceed. I don’t always follow the recipe, but my process is to keep the kitchen not too much of a disaster. When I write, I have a writing process that works for me. I follow an agile process
CAL Tip #11: Focus on Results for Change Read More »
A couple of months after my vertigo started, my husband and I went to some meeting at our synagogue. At the time, the administrative staff dimmed the lights in the hallways where they didn’t expect people to walk. However, the Ladies Room was down that hall. Yup, you guessed it. About halfway down the hall,
CAL Tip #10: Build Your Support System Read More »
I’ve been living with vertigo for the past nine years. Early in my journey, I had to tell potential clients I looked drunk, even though I wasn’t drunk. I explained I had vertigo. The first time I explained, my client said, “Oh, okay.” That was that. I’d expected questions. Nope. I’d expected concern. Nope. I
CAL Tip #9: Discuss the Un-Discussable Read More »