The Ugly Truth Behind Delegation

I’m stepping into a new executive role at work, and read the classic book by Peter Drucker – The Effective Executive.  In it, he argues against delegation saying that it makes little sense. “‘Delegation’ as the term is customarily used, is a misunderstanding – is indeed misdirection.  But getting rid of anything that can be […]

Popsicle Stick Time Management

I recently read the book Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull (President of Pixar).  The book’s tagline is to overcome the unseen forces that stand in the way of true inspiration.  Chapter by chapter, Catmull unlocks creative leadership ideas by effective (and vulnerable) story telling.  He shares his own journey in detail – through the lens […]

I resolve that you should…

It’s almost the New Year, which means resolutions are just around the corner. I personally love resolutions… the challenge and goal-setting fires me up.  One year I resolved to give up sugar.  That resolution lasted two years (and I’ve since made up for the two years void of sugar). But one huge problem with resolutions is […]

How to decline a meeting.

Last week, I axed a weekly meeting. The three other people in on this weekly meeting are incredible, and I’ve learned a lot from our time together.  But, besides enjoying their conversation, there was no reason to keep on meeting.  What we had set out to achieve had been accomplished.   Canceling this meeting got […]

We are made for Labor Day.

So, I gotta be honest.  Up until writing this post, I actually didn’t know the history behind Labor Day.  Why question a 3-day weekend, right?  For the majority of my teens and twenties, Labor Day was simply the weekend I saw Dave Matthews at the Gorge before heading back to school.   But the history behind […]

Bacon, Beer, & Freedom

As I write this post, I am sitting on the deck overlooking the Puget Sound, consuming three pieces of bacon, wondering if it’s too early for an IPA, and thinking about freedom. Having recently returned from a trip to the beautiful land of Israel, there are certain aspects of our country’s freedom that I am more aware […]

You are your own boss.

“Twenty years ago, you’d go to a company and they’d tell you your [career] route.  Today, it’s on you” (Jody Greenstone Miller, CEO of Business Talent Group). You are your own boss. People rarely get promoted because they wait to do what they are told.  No.  People get promoted because they have the “I’m my own boss” […]

Is irrational fear running your life?

The following story might sound like an April Fool’s joke, but I assure you – it’s not. About a month ago, my husband (who works nights) woke me up around 3am to let me know he had accidentally let a bird into our condo.  He needed me to wake up and help him: 1) find […]

A post-Super Bowl-post: Stop trying to have a better past.

Handling loss. A fitting topic for this dreary-raining-post-Super-Bowl-Monday morning. Especially if you’re a Seahawks fan. Especially if you’re a Seahawks fan that wore her wedding dress+jersey only because that’s what you wore on February 1st, 2014 (thinking, superstitiously, “This better work…”). Especially if you couldn’t sleep last night because you replayed that last possession over and over […]

New Year’s Practices

For the next few weeks, you’re going to need an answer to the daunting question “What’s your New Year’s Resolution?”  This year, resolve to answer with something you’ll practice. Allow me to explain.  In the past, my resolutions have had a common denominator – they’ve all shared a lofty (and usually unattainable) goal. I’m not going to eat sugar. I’m […]