Everyone I know wants to do good work with fair compensation. Often, that work gives them purpose and fulfills their need to do something that matters. However, everything is changing. Managers feel pressure, and that pressure flows down to the people they are supposed to lead and serve. Then, there’s AI, in the form of […]
How Will You Reinvent Yourself and Your Work So You Can Do What Matters? Read More »
This is Johanna Rothman’s February 2026 Create an Adaptable Life Newsletter. The unsubscribe link is at the bottom of this email. Steve, a long-time colleague, described how he feels about his career: “I feel as if I’m balanced on a small ball and it won’t take much to push me off. One bad management decision—poof!
Three Ways to Reduce Your Uncertainty by Reinforcing Your Human Value Read More »
A couple of weeks ago, when I spoke at Agile Cambridge, I stayed at Churchill College, in Cambridge, UK. I have not stayed in a dorm room since I was an undergraduate, quite a while ago. These rooms are part of the B&B the college maintains for conferences, etc. They are nicer than the dorm
Where is Your Leverage? Read More »
I have several reviewers for my email newsletters (this one and the Pragmatic Manager). I have a variety of book reviewers so I don’t release something stupid. I have people I can call when my vertigo goes haywire. They are part of my professional and personal support network. Who do you call: when you need
I was at Agile 2014, the big conference in my field last week. I had a blast. For my readers who are not software people, agile is a way to integrate change into a software project and make the project successful. I’m a Big Name, although a short person :-) BTW, there are many Big
What Makes Your Heart Sing? Read More »
Shaina has learned something from her training for her Boston Marathon run. Here is her update: In my mom’s first blog post about my marathon training she mentioned that I would be taking a few steps, getting some feedback and deciding what to do next. She mentioned this in regard to my fundraising commitment, but
Feedback on a Runner’s Progress Read More »
If you, like me, are going through a substantial change, I suspect you also need support, not pity or pep rallies. I get angry when people pity me. Yes, I certainly succumb to pity parties for myself. Let’s not discuss how much chocolate I’ve eaten since my inner ear hemorrhage. It doesn’t matter that it’s
Build Your Support System Read More »