The third week of the month is always a big one for meetings and the first month of the quarter is especially challenging. I typically end up at 5 lunches with networking, a speaker, and more networking. Â This month, for whatever reason, everyone wanted to talk about “don’t be afraid to fail”. Â I’m struggling with this because I don’t think I know what they mean so I’ve come here to work it through. Thanks for indulging me! When I launched my business, it was because I had spent 5 months consulting while looking for a job (keep in mind it was 2009) and realized I could never find a job that gave me as much variety and interesting work as consulting. Â I had also never felt so free as I did when I only worked for the client. No more counter-intuitive agendas. Just straight up […] Continue reading
Management style – fear or collaboration
Let’s be honest – reality TV is there because it is cheap to make, easy to produce and people watch it. The more sensational the better. I get it. But I still get frustrated with certain programs. Â Recently the Food Network changed out their restaurant observation program for a new, edgier production. Â In the old version the people came in and put cameras into the restaurant, planted new staff and customers, and everyone evaluated what happened. Â Apparently people found it boring. Now, we have a “personality” who evaluates with the owner throughout the show. And he’s obnoxious. The reason I don’t like him is because he clearly believes the only way to motivate other people’s employees is through fear and intimidation. Â My hunch is if you talk to his actual staff back at his restaurant, he doesn’t treat them that way at all. And I […] Continue reading