Attending to a difficult situation today, I needed to pull together some fragmented perspectives to figure out what was really going on. I wanted to build a complete picture so that I could fairly assess the right course of action. The same events were recalled differently by almost everyone. If the events were recalled the same, then the assumed intent was often different – even … Continue reading The complete picture, or a composite
Often we face a choice – do what’s right and might lead to sanction, or do what’s easy and can be justified if you squint a little. What will make you proud in the long term? What builds the world you want to live in? Kindly, keep going. Continue reading World building choices
I really enjoyed Beau Miles’ new film: Junk Films. One line made really stood out for me – “being present, which I think is code for being content and curious”. Beau’s films give such beautiful lessons in perspective and expectations. Continue reading Junk on content
It’s usually easier to be right than to convince others. The latter is much more important. Quietly stewing over how they didn’t get it isn’t helpful. Working out how to be more convincing, is. Being helpful is better than merely being right. Continue reading Can you convince them of that
I read a LinkedIn post recently that was written, as many are, with engagement rather than clarity in mind. The author struck a defensive tone in replying to comments, angrily saying that most folks had missed the point. A while back when I was an instructor, I realised that if one student didn’t get something, perhaps they’d benefit from a little more help. When most … Continue reading Missing the point on LinkedIn
My memory isn’t what it once was. Or at least, what I think it was… Nowadays I care more for people’s experiences and input than I ever did, which helps bridge that gap. To succeed isn’t to know everything, it’s to make a positive difference. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading Memory loss is asking a lot
The key to tackling new challenges is learning. To learn, it pays to be open-minded and willing to admit how much we don’t know. Bluster might carry the day, but curiosity will carry us further. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading Excel at questioning
Before I learned to better understand other people’s thinking, I’d pick all sorts of holes in their reasoning based on assumptions I’d made. Often based on feelings I was projecting onto them. This isn’t all that helpful – it creates heat without much light. When I notice that I’ve gotten caught up doing a similar thing now, I enjoy reading some YouTube comment threads. They … Continue reading YouTube projectors
The adage goes that you should never meet them, lest you be disappointed. It’s more helpful for me to connect and see that they’re also flawed. We all are in some way. We can still do great things. Kindly, keep going. Continue reading Meet your heroes
When I felt I wasn’t being paid enough in my twenties, I took it as a slight. The company deserved the frustration I felt toward it and I was a victim of their unkind appraisal. I was angry and assumed I was undervalued. Bitter about being underpaid. Combative about how to get more pay. Now, as I mull over the feeling that my pay isn’t … Continue reading Underpaid or undervalued
Sometimes You Learn 