Reader, stop pushing the boulder. My client: "The two new city managers are doing a good job of holding people accountable. I'm not sure some of the team members like it. We might lose a few, but they've got to take swift action to get the revenue up." Me: "You know that's the hard way. Managers don't want to be babysitters. This isn't generating job satisfaction for them or their staff. But there is an easier way that realigns, reengages, and recommits the team to working together."...
7 days ago • 2 min read
Reader, have you ever felt so seen that it made you cry? My youngest daughter is a high school senior. We've done all the things--senior pictures, senior prom, college decision. Last Friday was Senior Luncheon, a tradition where parents and students gather to hear school faculty members speak about the students. Faculty members select the students for whom they speak. Sports coaches often spoke for the members of the team they coach. Extra-curricular and specialty subject teachers also choose...
14 days ago • 2 min read
Reader I bet you can relate to this one. It's Wednesday morning pickleball in my neighborhood. There are only four of us, and the other three are seasoned players. My internal narrative about not being good enough and letting my partner down starts playing. I focus on my breathing and remind myself to play my game: stay present, accept your errors, celebrate others, have fun. We are rotating through the same partner pairings. Everyone is making their fair share of missed shots. I'm working on...
21 days ago • 3 min read
Reader did you watch the Kentucy Derby? Friday is a bit of a holiday in Louisville, so I spent part of the day with my hands in the soil of my front flower garden. I March I spent a day clearing out dead leaves and weeds, as my spring bulbs started pushing through the ground. I also added a new layer of mulch. It has been a glorious bed of blooms throughout April. Yet despite the deep cover of mulch, weeds were showing up: wild violets, dandelions, clover, wild strawberry, maple seedlings,...
28 days ago • 2 min read
Reader warning, this might be TMI This weekend, I gave in to my chocolate craving and bought a slice of "death by chocolate" cake. Four layers of moist chocolate cake are separated by luscious chocolate frosting, almost the consistency of ganache. It is so decadent, I'll need a week to eat it all. I am out running from meeting to meeting with no time for lunch, so I grabbed a plastic spoon on my way out of the store and treat myself to several bites. About 90 minutes later, the gurgling in my...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
temper tantrumReader can you relate? I really want to make VP before I turn 35. There aren't that many positions. Someone has to leave or die. So when a VP position opens in the distribution center in Ohio, and my boss says I should apply, I do. A few weeks later, I am flying to Grove City to interview. I am introduced to my male counterpart within the distribution organization, who is also a candidate for this VP role. Immediately, I know this guy already has the job on lockdown, and my...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Reader Do you meet new situations with trepidation or elation? As much as I want to be the latter, when I find myself out of my comfort zone, anxiety accompanies me. Thanks to my friend Laurie, I have just wrapped up my first three-week session of pickleball lessons. I'm feeling pretty green, but I understand the game's rules, and I know I need to practice to keep improving, so I decide to join my husband at neighborhood pickleball. I walk into the gymnasium at 10 a.m., the appointed time for...
about 2 months ago • 5 min read
Reader, thank you for welcoming me back to your inbox. I spent the last week of March on vacation with my husband at the beach. This is his last month of work before he retires. Our youngest daughter leaves for college this fall, and I'll be the primary household income again, which hasn't been true since I left my corporate job in 2006. I'm not going to lie; it freaks me out a little. I've even thought that maybe I should retire, too. Yet, the truth is I wanted to work during vacation two...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Reader I was floored to read this in the latest report from Gallup? Across 52 countries and territories -- accounting for 76% of the world’s adult population and 86% of global gross domestic product -- Gallup asked two questions: What leader has the most positive influence on your daily life?Now, please list three words that best describe what this person contributes to your life. Four words consistently emerged: Hope was a theme of the World Happiness Summit (WOHASU) earlier this month. This...
2 months ago • 1 min read