Feedback Is Another Mirror
The farther along you go in your career, the less feedback you get. This makes sense: who wants to give the big boss notes on their performance? But this dynamic makes it even more essential to seek out knowledgeable coaching and guidance for yourself. We all have areas of our own performance that we don’t …
Happy Damn Glad to Be Alive Day!
Today is Damn Glad to Be Alive Day! A little backstory: On February 6, 1995, I was working as a production resident for Playwrights Horizons, an off-Broadway theatre company in New York City. We were in technical rehearsals for a new musical called “Jack’s Holiday,” (about Jack the Ripper—don’t ask), and the master electrician asked …
The Spotlight Is On You
When you’re the leader, it’s like there’s a spotlight that follows you everywhere. There’s a subtle yet unmistakable extra focus on what you do and what you say. It’s important to acknowledge the reality of that spotlight. Whether you asked for it, you welcome it, or you dislike it, it’s there. It is disingenuous to …
Just Do the Next Thing
In this season of plans and resolutions, it’s enticing to think big. Run a marathon! Write a novel! Clean out and transform the whole house! These are all great goals, but for most people I know, it’s tough to figure out what to do once you’ve decided on a plan. It’s so tough, in fact, …
The Sunny Side
Years ago when I first lived in New York, a beloved older friend counseled me, “The winters are tough here, and it’s windy. Walk on the sunny side of the street.” It’s great practical advice, of course. But I think it’s pretty good metaphorical advice, too. Miss you, SK.
“The Way You Listen to Me is Not My Fault”
“The way you listen to me is not my fault.” This gem comes to you courtesy of my husband, Charlie. We were chatting recently as we both got ready for the day, and as sometimes happens, my mouth got way ahead of my ears. I had asked him several questions, then barreled on, not really …
Micro-Boundaries
A few months ago when I was facilitating a workshop, a woman in the group came up with a great term I hadn’t heard before. Micro-boundaries. We had been discussing the importance of having boundaries in our work life, of being able to assert things like how many hours we work in a week, or …
Care and Feeding of Your Creative Contributors
Simon Sinek, speaker and author, says: An excessive drive for order interrupts the beautiful chaos needed for creativity to thrive. This quote gets at the heart of a specific dynamic I have been noticing and wrestling with lately. In any organization, you need the “order” people and the “creativity” people. (Let me acknowledge right here …
The Cost of Being “Right”
I really like to be right. Anyone who knows me can probably attest to that. This particular characteristic comes from several places: the top two contributors are genetics (hi Mom!), and fear. Yeah, fear. I try to do all the research, see all the signs, and then weigh in because then I’m less likely to …
You’re (Still) Not Special
I’ve written about this topic before, but I’ve been thinking about it lately in a new way. My kids can tell you the three things I hope I have really instilled in them as their mother, three lessons that will serve them throughout their lives. Here they are: 1) Never get a haircut you can’t …
