Just Hit ’em Harder

We love our rules, don’t we? They’re important to us because we feel that by regulating the behavior of others, we are safer, healthier and richer. After all, isn’t civilization simply a system of rules and consequences?

So, we apply the same thinking to the workplace. There are rules about what time to show up, how […]

By |2020-10-21T21:09:54+00:00September 15th, 2020|Categories: Post|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

It’s Good to Be the Boss

Why is it so great to be a manager? Because finally, after all those years of butt-kissing, pride swallowing, teeth clenching agony, it’s your turn on top. You’re the boss now. What you say goes.

It’s time for people to kiss your butt and fear your wrath. And it’s time for you to get your hands […]

By |2020-12-12T01:22:47+00:00September 8th, 2020|Categories: Post|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Us vs Them Contractors

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s now-famous comments about the Kenosha Guard Facebook page that violated the company’s terms – that “the contractors” had failed to remove the page – drew a lot of flack.

Many people feel Facebook should be more vigilant. And of course that’s correct. But there is a larger problem here.

By blaming “contractors” for […]

By |2020-10-21T21:10:51+00:00August 31st, 2020|Categories: Post|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Stop Paying Your Dues and Start Paying Attention

Though it hasn’t been relevant for a couple of decades, the old notion of “paying your dues,” is alive and well.

There are probably two reasons it’s still with us. First, it’s a way of making young workers stop complaining about the unrewarding, difficult crap they have to do.

Tired of fetching coffee for the boss? It’s […]

By |2020-10-21T21:11:43+00:00August 24th, 2020|Categories: Post|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

The Stuff People Say

People often think they’re saying one thing when they’re actually saying something very different.

Sometimes the word “but” is the tipoff.

“I’m a very open-minded person, but…” is a sure sign you’re about to hear something very closed-minded.

Sometimes the tipoff isn’t a word, it’s the fact that the person is saying it all, and that’s where poor […]

By |2020-10-21T21:11:53+00:00August 19th, 2020|Categories: Post|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Part 2: That moment when you realize…

…you are a dick manager.

You’re having a discussion with an employee who can sometimes be a little defiant. Their heart is in the right place—probably—but they get no points for style. They are blunt and accusatory and though they may have a point, their attitude makes it hard for you to admit it.

Finally, after going […]

By |2020-10-22T00:22:08+00:00August 5th, 2020|Categories: Post|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

Another Day, Another Scandal

(published July 31, 2020) Another day, another scandal involving an executive who is said to have engaged in sexist, homophobic, racist behavior.

Today’s story has all the usual elements—a bad boy whose maturation appears to have stopped in the frat house, traumatized staff afraid of retaliation, and a corporation expressing shock that such things could have […]

By |2020-10-21T21:13:22+00:00July 31st, 2020|Categories: Post|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments

Part 1: That moment when you realize…

…you have a dick manager.

You’re in a staff meeting with your management team peers and things seem to be going just fine when suddenly your boss turns to you and says something really ugly. It could be telling you your idea sucks. It could be dumping on the way you manage your team. It will […]

By |2020-10-21T21:14:29+00:00July 28th, 2020|Categories: Post|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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