I Had Just Gotten Laid Off Panic. Fear. Anger. What would I do next? The fog was thick in front of me, and I could not see the path ahead. Today marks my twelve-year layoff anniversary. Not exactly the kind…
When Personal Life Meets the Workplace There are moments that remind us how closely personal life and work performance are connected. One early morning, I received a call from my son. The pipes in our home were pulsating, and something…
When Workplace Communication Crosses the Line A simple message can reveal a much deeper issue within an organization. “Quick question, did you put together any process instructions? I looked on the drive but didn’t see anything. Thanks.” At first glance,…
When Music Meets Economics My wife and I recently heard “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and it triggered an unusual thought. Inflation. Strange connection, right? But the more I thought about it, the more…
Rethinking Content Strategy on LinkedIn Before starting a month-long LinkedIn initiative, I was already thinking about what kind of content to focus on next. Sharing client challenges and solutions as a Fractional COO was an option, but it did not…
Quick thoughts on employee engagement and retention… Never mess up these two tasks: The lunch order Employee time off Sounds easy, right? But non-operational details shape company culture more than leadership speeches, mission statements, or motivational posters ever will. Why…
When Good Intentions Meet Poor Execution “It’s not easy being green.” That thought came to mind recently at a national fast food franchise. After finishing my meal, I approached the trash to dispose of the remains. Like many customers trying…
I Was Moving to Estonia At least, that’s what it felt like. The thought hit me the moment I accidentally selected Estonian instead of English while setting up my new phone. My eyes showed panic and hirm. My mind…
It Was Her First Time It was cold, gloomy, and overcast. But her excitement was unmatched. It was December 1996. Ana was from Miami, and she had never seen snow before. A Moment on Commonwealth Avenue As the first winter…
Missing: Have You Seen This Man? I had heard of this happening, but never thought it would happen to me. People using AI to tweak their LinkedIn headshots. Small edits. Subtle improvements. Professional polish. So I decided to try it.…