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Rethinking Retirement
“You’re going to spend a third of your life working. Make sure you’re doing something you love.” – Harry Dietrich. I’ve learned a lot from my father, and that quote was one of the most impactful pieces of wisdom he shared early and often in my childhood. It shaped my decision to be a software…
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The Council of Joshes
I’ve anticipated today’s post for months. I’m sharing one of my favorite techniques for personal reflection. Several of my clients have employed this technique to build their own council, and I hope I can inspire you to do the same. The Birth of The Council My Council of Joshes began to form one morning during…
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Summer Thinking
Last week, I offered some summer reading to catch up on my most popular blog posts of the first half of 2024. This week, I offer some suggestions for summer thinking. Vacations allow us to float above the day-to-day details and get a big-picture perspective. Here are some ways to embrace that opportunity. Learning, Growth,…
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A Funny Thing Happened on Vacation
I have two clients who recently took a vacation. In both cases, they were intentional about harmonizing their personal and professional lives. When they returned, they shared two things. First, they were more rested, recharged, and ready for work than on any previous vacation. This newfound energy and focus can be yours too. Second, they…
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Life Accounts
Leadership tends to steer us toward structure. We set SMART goals. We are data-driven. We take a vision into a concrete plan we can execute with measurements, KPIs, and corrective actions. A part of me gets a warm, comfortable feeling when I think about structure. This is the beauty and strength of the left hemisphere…
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The Hero’s Journey
Reconnecting with a friend from high school, I shared my all-time favorite quote by Joseph Campbell (you can read it here). As we spoke, she noted Joseph Campbell’s writing about the Hero’s* Journey. One aspect of that journey is that the hero encounters obstacles. Facing and overcoming those obstacles are essential steps in the journey…
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Transitions
Our lives are filled with transitions, both planned and unplanned. I have worked with clients who are positioning themselves for success as they start a new role, and I have also helped many clients and friends deal with the transition of an unexpected job loss. With the increase in layoffs in the technology sector, the…
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Embodying Your Values
Before I began working with my first formal mentee, my HR leader gave me two decks of values cards to use as an icebreaker. It worked so well that it became a ritual. Almost everyone mentee or coachee that has worked with me has spent time in the first session exploring their values. I connected…
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Living Heroically
Two weeks ago, I hit an emotional high as I completed the Flying Pig Marathon in 3:12:16. That time was 7½ minutes faster than my previous personal best. I looked forward to ramping my mileage back up faster than ever, a rare two-day onsite client engagement, and a great week. Twelve hours later, I hit…
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Gooooooooooooooooooooooals!
“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else.” – Yogi Berra. Did you set goals for 2022? Were they written down? How often did you review your progress and implement course corrections? How effectively did those goals guide your progress this year? The Importance of Goals Many of us have goals…
