We have many so-called permanent records in our lives: school report cards, vaccination and health records, and, of course, those terrible performance evaluations at work. I do like having digital health records—they make it easy for my doctor to help me maintain my health. But the report cards? I distinctly remember one school year when […]
How Satisfied Are You With What’s on Your Permanent Record? Read More »
Many of my consulting colleagues are encountering the same problem: everything they did to attract clients no longer works. They speak, write, do all the social media, and nothing is working. They don’t have enough clients. This condition is different from what occurred during the pandemic. At that time, they could continue what they offered
When Do We Choose to Pivot to Something New or Reinvent Ourselves? Read More »
Many of my colleagues are busy creating resolutions, in preparation for the new year. They think those resolutions will help them create better lives. Maybe, although I’ve never succeeded with resolutions. Instead of resolutions, I’ve suggested before that we create watchwords for ourselves. Those watchwords create some guidance for our actions. But this year, I
Can You Resolve to Rethink About How You Think About Change? Read More »
Yesterday was “Giving Tuesday” in the United States. If we have the means to give, charities ask us for donations. (One of my favorite charities is the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation. That’s their link to Giving Tuesday, which lasts for ten days. Even I can count, and that’s more than one day.) That’s all about your
What Does Being Generous Cost Us? Read More »
It’s the start of the Days of Awe, the time from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, where Jews introspect. We reflect on our lives last year and consider how we might live better next year. We pray that God writes our names and then seals us in the book of life. That’s all about change.
What or Who Calls You to Change? Read More »
Do you ever make the same mistake twice or realize that mistake somehow feels familiar? Many of us fall into patterns that allow us to recreate those mistakes—even when we don’t want to. However, we can learn from our history. When we do learn from our history, we can increase our chances of succeeding now.
How Can You Learn from Your History to Succeed Now? Read More »
You want to change something—maybe a personal change or an organizational change. You’ve seen the headlines: “proven ways to lose weight!” or, in my context, “proven agile transformation success!” These people claim they have the One Right Way to succeed at something. They probably have succeeded—maybe even several times. They can explain the journey, from
What’s Your Context for Your Success In Solving This Problem? Read More »
I’m at that age where people ask me when I plan to retire. I continue to say I plan to evolve what I do—just like Serena Williams. Ms. Williams retired from tennis this week, saying she would evolve to what’s next. What does this evolution require? We must see our reality and assess our various capabilities. Then,
How Can You Know When Your “Best” Days Are Behind You So You Can Evolve? Read More »
I recently met two engineering managers: Joe and Mary. Both 55. Both are bored with their jobs. And taking totally different approaches to their boredom problems. Joe decided to hang out in his current position—for the next 12 years, until he meets the retirement age of 67. He’s choosing personal stability. Mary is gathering her
When Do You Choose Personal Stability Over Professional Change? Read More »
I am more than “disappointed” by the overturn of Roe v. Wade this past week. I am enraged and full of grief for the women who will die. When I was in high school, before Roe was passed, several girls “got in trouble” (talk about blaming the victim). A couple of them had babies. They
How Can You Use Your Influence and Power Instead of Hope and Prayer? Read More »