Bottom line…How do you say your name when asked? Quickly, mumbled, jumbled? When someone asks you to say your name, do you mumble through it quickly? I can tell you I have taught hundreds of students of all ages, coached and meet many new people each year…and it’s the first impression you give someone when […]

A close friend moved to Alaska then, Buffalo and now lives in the Deep South. I’ve known her for over 50 years: including her parents, siblings, grandparents and of course, the dog (Jenny, FYI). We have been best friends since I was three and she was five. She’s always been a woman who has had […]

It’s critical to have a broad sense of the different work cultures and overview of many French and Spanish speaking co-workers, bosses, clients, partners, neighbors and potential in-laws think…..Take a read through. And with that said: Fais attention! ¡Pon atención! Our French Friends: Look for a meeting of the minds. Intellectual competence is very important. […]

Here’s a tip #101 that I’ve tested and found to be true on entering on negotiation. When sitting down face-to-face which includes Skype or any other visual platform, make sure you have a warm liquid either in your hand or clearly nearby. This eludes warmth, passion, calmness, and sensitivity.

YOU WILL NEVER PLEASE EVERYONE ALL OF THE TIME. No matter how thoughtful or measured you are in decision making, whether on a professional or personal level, you cannot please the multitude of people around you. And, the desire to please everyone often holds us back. For some (the ole’ me) it’s tempting to be […]

Here’s a true story. I had a great idea to connect recipe websites and grocery stores. I’d launch a MVP (minimal viable product) to demonstrate the software, raise capital and become a zillionaire. At the time, I knew a little something about financials, but couldn’t pronounce or explain EBITDA without looking like an idiot. Because […]

How many times do you look down in a day? Think about it. Although it’s an easy way to avoid falling, it’s not necessary if you know where you’re headed. Let’s say you do fall along the way. So what? Most likely, you won’t make that mis-step again. We gain knowledge through experience. Failure often […]

When you want to go fast, go alone. When you want to go far, then go together. I’ve been silent recently because I had to go it alone for a while. Since I wrote last, I updated siderroad.com, taught undergraduates business communications, started book number two, continued consulting and speaking on “Leading with Innovation” and […]

How to Use Doorframe Management to Become a Member of the Inner Circle Ever heard of this phrase before? Keep it in the back of your mind at all times. It’s a strategic notion to conceive and build relationships, then leverage those relationships into creating opportunities for yourself. Picture yourself standing in a colleague’s or senior executive’s office […]

I’ve just returned from a speech I gave regarding Trust and Taking Blame at Work to a group of executives in the technology space. Taking blame at work builds trust it’s an incredible power move. Pointing fingers everywhere but at yourself  is defensive behavior and makes you be perceived as deceitful. Taking responsibility is a […]

Trust is a Must Trust in the U.S is earned. Trust in many European countries is immediate. The challenge Americans face is working with cultures who trust off the bat. How can Americans find a way to see the competence of a person and not indicate bias from other cultures who may speak slowly, with […]

When my godfather, Stuart, writes me, he signs it “Stay the Course”. Those three words are comforting. We all experience ill content and a lack of confidence now and then. For some, it’s more than now and then; that’s me  Over the last few years, I see his words flash in my mind when moments […]

Recently, I shared Sider Road’s Diversity Workshop Offerings with a respected colleague who is originally from The Netherlands.   I have listened to her speak Dutch.  Given that it’s easier for us to text and email vs. meet in person :), we have been connecting in English.   In an effort to demonstrate to her that I care about her […]

When I was taught to shoot with Edwin’s ‘coon rifle, as an 8 year old girl, I could barely lift the damn thing.  A loud growl which was combined with half a laugh rolled out of his mouth watching me struggle to lift the rifle up to my eye. Edwin, was the older brother of […]

Yesterday, I was asked in an interview about a key thought on how to work with multiple generations. Here’s the answer: Perception is NOT reality.   There are 158,000,000 million people working in the U.S. Teenagers to people over 70 years old working today.  Everyone needs to know how to deal with each generation if we like it or […]

We all day dream of doing something new when the old gig is just that… O.L.D.  It’s the same: politics, drama, commute, coffee, bathroom runs and same ole’ same old.  I remember thinking “Why make money for someone else when you I can do it for myself as an expert? Haven’t I done enough to be considered […]