Published in Index·PinnedMember-onlyWhat I Learned Watching a Co-Worker Get Forced OutCorporate Glossary: every Friday, learn the secret meaning of common corporate words — Every Friday, you get the real meaning behind padded corporate terms that get tossed around like the nice guy’s ball cap in study hall. Knowing the reality behind the sanitized words or phrases will help you protect yourself and avoid learning these for the first time when you’re experiencing them. …Corporate Culture8 min readCorporate Culture8 min read
Published in Management Matters·Mar 22Member-onlyVictim or Volunteer? The Ultimate Frustration of Over 50% of EmployeesThe chief of human resources for one of the biggest firms in the world agrees — Do you recognize this scene from an iconic 1998 movie? Joe Fox: It wasn’t… personal. Kathleen Kelly: What is that supposed to mean? I am so sick of that. All that means is that it wasn’t personal to you. But it was personal to me. It’s *personal* to a lot of…Careers5 min readCareers5 min read
Published in Management Matters·Mar 3Member-onlyOld Scams are the New Tricks at WorkAre these things really great or even necessary? — In my high school, a pay phone was on a brick wall between the gym, auditorium, and open-plan lunch room. Students used it to call their parents and for the occasional drama response. It was a pay phone. Innocuous and functional. Sophomore year, I used it to panic-call my mom…Careers4 min readCareers4 min read
Published in Management Matters·Feb 23Member-onlyThe Strange Secret to Becoming the BossInsights from over 10 years and 10,000 clients as a career coach — I was scared to death of my best friend’s dad. Annie’s dad didn’t do anything to deserve my mortal fear. He just had one of those personalities. For starters, he didn’t talk much, and on the rare occasions I saw him around their house — my second home — he…Business5 min readBusiness5 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Feb 10Member-onlyHow One Woman Stood Up to Her LayoffAnd a few lessons learned for yours. — Maya* was a workaholic, and her employer of a decade had been more than happy to take advantage of that fact. A match made in heaven. Sort of. The first sign that workaholism was ending and something else was kicking off was when Maya began to feel bored. A decade…Careers7 min readCareers7 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Feb 2Member-onlyWhat I Learned from Seeing One Professional Dodge a Bullet, and 2 Get Laid OffSecrets revealed and lessons learned living through layoffs — Deana*, Maya*, and Bill* were all looking down the barrel of a layoff. Here are their stories. Should you wait in the truck? Most people would probably tell you Bill was a jerk. …Layoffs5 min readLayoffs5 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Jan 8Member-onlyDon’t Sign Any Employment Agreement Until You Read ThisThe forthcoming ban that will change your career and paycheck — At the only holiday “party” I go to anymore, these words were on repeat in every conversation pod. I bet you’ve heard them or spoken them… “Did you see the video of …” …The movie star speeding down a residential street? (RIP Anne Heche.) A delivery person taking a “Your package is delivered!” picture with their phone…Careers4 min readCareers4 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Oct 27, 2022Member-onlyBeware of This Common Term Where You WorkThe problem with saying this is not childish, it’s dangerous. — “He’s a problem child.” The speaker rolled his eyes a little as he said the words “problem child” as if to suggest, “Among my many responsibilities, I now have to deal with this person.” “Problem child.” Have you ever heard that term used to describe someone at work? Or maybe…Corporate Glossary4 min readCorporate Glossary4 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Oct 18, 2022Member-only3 Ways Smart People Ruin Great CareersAnd how to make recruiters and headhunters want you the minute they see your profile. — I’ve been an author, strategist, and speaker on career topics for over ten years. These are the three most common mistakes I see and how fixing these can make your career path rise effortlessly. Think helium balloon. 1. "Just Married!" Have you ever seen these words hastily written on a car’s back window…Business7 min readBusiness7 min read
Published in Writers’ Blokke·Oct 12, 2022Member-onlyWhat Is College Supposed To Teach Us?Was our professor right to show us this and say nothing? — “Don’t mess with her,” said a classmate lowering his voice as the infamous Dr. D. walked down the hall of our school’s new building turning into the suite of offices she shared with four other professors. In the Mass Communications department, she was the only professor students approached with trepidation…Life Lessons5 min readLife Lessons5 min read
