More than a living

 

 

Entries from May 2007

Deliver bad news early and often

May 30th, 2007 · 3 Comments

Sometimes, these things just write themselves. Or I write them, when I’m doing something else. Either way, this little ditty I composed seem worthy of inflicting upon the masses.
I’m going to elaborate a bit on a problem with which I’ve struggled my whole professional life. (I’m sure Toby will be willing to corroborate this.) It […]

Tags: Communication · Management · Tips · Fear · Failure · Honesty · Transparency · Mistakes

Alma Pater

May 24th, 2007 · 3 Comments

Follow me, if you will, through a little scenario.
Let’s say you get a job offer.
This job entails your spending four years attempting to complete a project. You can take longer. You can take less. But four years is the generally accepted amount of time to complete the project.
You’ll be working with a number of other […]

Tags: Employment · Loyalty · Corporate Culture

Performance Reviews - Then What?

May 23rd, 2007 · 2 Comments

You’ve had your review. Hopefully with feedback from many, likely with input and reflections just from your manager.
No one becomes “valued” doing just their one thing - we are all replaceable when we fail to differentiate against our stereotype or next-best candidate for the job. You can be the most brilliant, wicked smart recruiter (or […]

Tags: Communication · Develop · Execution

Top 5 physical requirements for working from home

May 18th, 2007 · 13 Comments

As more and more of us move from the corporate office to the home office, I find that we’re all battling with a workspace-within-my-personal-space issue.
By working from home, you just increased your accessibility–to both clients and your family–by tenfold. And the fact that you’re sitting at home, banging away on your keyboard in the exact […]

Tags: Tips · Culture · Career · Workplace

Negative motivation

May 15th, 2007 · 2 Comments

Some people call me “underwhelmed,” but fact of the matter is I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.
Negative feedback or lack of progress or failure often crushes me. At first.
But then, it becomes the seed of motivation.
Take sixth grade for example.
One day, Ms. Elton took me aside.
“Your handwriting,” she said. “It’s horrible.”
Okay, now […]

Tags: Motivation · Feedback · Failure

Some Days…

May 14th, 2007 · 1 Comment

You ever wonder when the wagon wheels are going to go spinning off?
I’m home today with a sick child, even as I try to wrap up a few management tasks on a current project and throw myself bodily into “study buddy” mode for an upcoming series of examinations for a professional credential. To ice this […]

Tags: Career · Agility

Please leave a message after the beep

May 9th, 2007 · No Comments

Sorry for the lack of posting, as of late. I submit, for your consideration, the following excuses:

Amy is on vacation
Toby is on site with a client
I’m at a tradeshow

Hopefully, we’ll get back to posting a bit more, soon.

Tags: More than a living

Making mistakes: Providing too much information

May 2nd, 2007 · 1 Comment

Sometimes, you can provide too much detail.
What? Rick? Mr. Over explain everything? Surely you jest.
No, I’m serious. (Re-reading this post, I realize I have committed this sin, yet again.)
Let me give you an example.
If you are around me for any period of time, you’ll hear me utter a common phrase.
“I’m not a designer.”
I realize that […]

Tags: Kumquat · Mistakes

Singing the Praises of Momentum

May 2nd, 2007 · No Comments

Whew. I’m about pooped out. As we try to get the final touches on Kumquat, I’m also kicking off a consulting project for a client in which I’m emotionally invested. Exciting things are afoot, but it feels like there are quite a few plates spinning.
It’s amazing to me how much effort goes into getting something […]

Tags: Inspiration · Motivation · Leadership · Project