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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
For me: It nixed a few jobs. A marriage. A bunch of friendships. Passive aggressive behavior is a silent relationship killer. Let’s face it, when you’re rightfully upset and can’t find the words to speak your truth, your actions ultimately backfire and you end up spending time fixing the negativity you put out rather than […]
I always enjoy listening to what people tell me about themselves in personal and professional settings. I’ve interviewed hundreds of people—more often than not, most start with their positive attributes and end with their flaws. Of course, we all have both, but how people express themselves in tone and non-verbal cues makes a difference in my […]
Selling Your Point of View and Product—It’s One and The Same Let’s face it, from the moment we wake up in the morning until we close our eyes at night, we’re all selling. Whether we’re selling ourselves, selling a product, selling a service, an opinion or point of view, doing it well is a trained […]
Finding Your Voice—What does that mean? Forming that first sentence that expresses your point of view and sets the tone for what you are about to say or write will come naturally once you’ve found your voice. For some of us, it takes years to find our voice. It’s a start and stop process. How […]
As one matures the beauty of perspective changes. In our 20s we can conquer the world, have endless energy, and consider a change to be positive. In our 30s some of us become cautious and start to look at challenges from a perspective that is not only singular. My 40s and early 50’s have been filled […]
As you watch your kids trot off to school in the morning, it may have entered your mind that you want and NEED to get your brain back to work but you don’t know where to start. The game is calling for you and it may mean working for someone else, or deciding to being […]
I have two or three parts to my career life. One is an author and thus, an Office Culture and Politics as a result of the book and 30+ years working experience for the best and the worst in Fortune 500, start ups and mid-sized companies. As a brand expert, I have grown the top […]
Recently, I had a client who was stuck. Let’s call him Wallow in the Middle. He hasn’t been promoted in five years. He hasn’t been demoted. He is earning his salary but sees nothing on the horizon of learning something new or a promotion. It’s the same old same old. If you’re like Wallow in […]
It’s painful to be around someone you are not sure is lying to you or not. So many times, I have been in meetings not knowing if someone is trying to pull one over on me. Just the thought of someone lying to you can alter not just your mood that day but an entire […]
