A collection of some of my most read posts.
Dear Class of 2020
An open letter to college seniors from a proud parent of one You guys got a raw deal. The final semester of college is supposed to be one of the most memorable times of your life. You worked hard and deserved a chance to celebrate the final days of youthful freedom with your families and … Continue reading Dear Class of 2020
Covid-19 and Our Best Selves
Thanks to Covid-19 there’s been more talk about working from home the past week then anytime I can remember. This is not a piece about how to work better from home, it’s about how we can be better at home when we’re working. The closing of workplaces presents a unique opportunity for all of us … Continue reading Covid-19 and Our Best Selves
How Do You Measure Success?
How do you measure success in a job? Anyone updating a resume or preparing for a job interview gives this question a lot of thought. Good resumes provide specific examples of accomplishments and achievements, not just descriptions of the jobs one has held. Often that takes a lot of words and multiple pages. But is … Continue reading How Do You Measure Success?
“Hey Fred, why should I give a sh#t?”
That was what the voice on the other end of the phone said to me almost 30 years ago. I was working for an organization that built housing for the homeless in New York. We were pitching a community in Westchester county, one of the more expensive collection of zip codes in the country, for … Continue reading “Hey Fred, why should I give a sh#t?”
Who Do Your Play For?
There’s a great scene in the Disney film “Miracle” about the 1980 US Olympic hockey team. Coach Herb Brooks is making the team endure countless punishing sprints following a lackluster effort in an exhibition game. At one point he reminds the players that who they play for is bigger than them: “The name on the … Continue reading Who Do Your Play For?
The 3% Merit Fallacy
It’s performance review season at many companies right now. Managers are sitting with their direct report and, hopefully, having thoughtful discussions about areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Employees, hopefully, are sharing their thoughts on past performance and goals for the future. How one’s performance is rated – and companies use various tools from … Continue reading The 3% Merit Fallacy
