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 »
Have you ever been in a situation with too much light, smell, sound, or cold/warmth? Or you took a bite of something, expecting a subtle taste—and felt overwhelmed with the taste you got? That’s a sensory overload. We learn to filter out the “noise” from the signal when we feel sensory overload. And some of
What Filters Do You Use to Manage Sensory Overload? Read More »
Imagine this scenario: You have an opportunity to keep your current salary and work for an organization of somewhat doubtful integrity. Or, you have an opportunity to make orders of magnitude more money—but that organization has a reputation for human rights abuses. What do you choose? More money creates more freedom in your life, for
How Do You Choose Between What’s Right and Your Ability to Make Money? Read More »
In the 1960s, the US passed a bunch of policies that created a time of much more opportunity for many kinds of people—including me. Because of the Civil Rights Act, and later, Title IX, I had more opportunities and freedom to take my place in the world. I could apply for a job that traditionally
What Opportunities Do You Have Now That You Did Not Back Then? Read More »
(I can’t write about the shooting in Texas. My heart is too heavy. Instead, I’ll write about problems we can solve.) At a recent dinner, friends described this problem: “On a recent flight, we took off late. Many people on the plane had connecting flights. The flight attendants made the obligatory announcement about waiting for
When Is a Small Application of Money the Right Tool to Solve This Problem? Read More »
In our daily lives, we manage all kinds of risks. We fill up our cars with gas so we get to where we’re going. In addition, I’ve learned to check the maps before I leave. That’s because the map in my head has pruned several non-local roads because I barely drove anywhere during the pandemic.
How Do We Manage Risks Without Theater (the Illusion of Management)? Read More »
I feel as if I see more problems and crises than I know what to do with right now. Sometimes, I want to wade right in and solve those problems. Sometimes, I assess quickly and realize I have good possibilities. However, there’s a third option, and that’s when I stay stuck. In my case, it’s
When Do You Choose Which Kind of Problem-Solver You Are? Read More »
Many people keep searching for this “new normal.” In my opinion, too many of them want the new normal to be just like the old normal was. But we’ve learned so much through this pandemic. I don’t want to “go back” to the old ways of working and living. Instead, I want to go forward
How Do We Lead to Create an Adaptable New Normal? Read More »