“It was nice meeting myself again,” stated the twenty-fifth respondent to the Research Jam’s online survey. This person had served more than ten years in a corporate role before an unexpected job transition caused a new route into independent consulting. The respondent offered a perspective on the 5th anniversary of this new journey….”the impact on my life (and my family’s life) has been overwhelmingly positive. I have met dozens of fascinating individuals whom I likely would not have met if my head was still buried at a corporate desk. I have also learned, and continue to learn, a lot about myself.” Continue reading…
The other F word…
“You’re always equipped with your own voice,” responded Nina Senott an executive with Girls’ Leap during an interview on WCVB’s CityLine. Host Karen Holmes Ward was inquiring about the non-profit’s focus on the safety and well-being of young women from crime ridden and violent neighborhoods of Boston. Ms. Senott ticked off impressive programs…most of which encouraged young women to embrace who they are…despite incredibly difficult environments and even worse odds. Voice. Continue reading…
Permission?
“Medicine is gray. It is rarely black or white,” conceded Dr. Maher Tabba, the fellowship director at a local teaching hospital. We were discussing a challenging medical case. A patient’s diagnosis eluded Tabba and his team. He sought certainty. But like so much…..informed instinct combined with knowledge and experience would have to lead the way. Continue reading…
Time for questions?
“I have a passion to know things,” said Morgan Freeman, one of my all time favorite actors, as he responded to Charlie Rose‘s query. Rose, installed unadorned at his round table, listened intently as Freeman described a pet project of his, “Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.” The cable series investigates the questions that have puzzled humankind, and Freeman, seemingly forever. During the interview Freeman described himself as having, “a passion to know things. (As a kid) I was not science minded. I was an A student because I questioned.” Questioned? Continue reading…
The Best Decision You Ever Made?
‘I’m the best decision this organization ever made,’ said quarterback Tom Brady in an early conversation with Bob Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots. Brady joined the team in 2000 as the 199th 6th round pick. Team talk usually misses me. I write this only after someone explained to me the meaning of a ‘sixth round’ pick. 199th? Continue reading…
Your wish?
“I want to work on policy for the federal government,” replied a bubbly twenty-something friend at a holiday-themed cocktail hour. She and I were talking about her career moves. Within the past thirty days she’d pivoted from wanting to attend law school to enrolling in a masters program for paralegals. I have to admit this pronouncement rocked me. Her spirited response came after I finally asked, “what is your dream?” Continue reading…
Pedaling fast enough?
This week I happened to catch an interesting story in the New York Times by columnist Tara Parker-Pope. She compiled a story about a multi-media project sponsored by her paper that asked readers to submit photos and stories about Life After Cancer. “What cancer made me do in my own professional life is pedal faster,” shared breast cancer survivor Susan Schwalb, an artist featured in “New Meaning and Drive in Life After Cancer.” (New York Times, 12/4/12 D5) Reading it I couldn’t help but think about pedaling but it was direction not speed that had my attention.
Transition Suspended?
Turkeys Suspended On The Climbing Structure
I ran into a friend’s mother the other day. I’ve known this woman and her daughter for more than thirty years. A side benefit of living within fifty miles of where I grew up. “We are going to The Grill Room for Thanksgiving,” she responded after I queried about her plans for the upcoming holiday. “My daughter used to do it but ever since her father died she hasn’t been able to. You know how close they were…” Continue reading…
What are your 100 precincts?
Have you figured out the ten teams that matter? I asked naively during a meeting earlier this week. If the looks on the faces opposite to me were any indication, the answer was no. My meeting comrades had been charged with a change management effort at their company. They had lengthy color-coded spreadsheets. Action plans and timelines. They hoped to train everyone. Win hearts and minds. And accrue victory one step at a time….. Continue reading…
Advice: When to embrace vs. ignore?
Last week a dynamic entrepreneur presented her pitch deck to me and a few other advisors. Her company is a new online service that is sure to up-end a staid fragmented industry. All through the conversation I hung on the edge of my seat waiting to catch pieces of her original concept. With virtually no money the company had acquired a few customers (hooray!) and talked with many prospects. But based on a small sample size of feedback she morphed her plan, radically. Finally I asked, “why have you stepped away from your original concept?” Continue reading…