Here’s nonsense at work. I’ve become a little shifty. In style, not in action. Being honest and direct by nature, I find it very uncomfortable playing this Shifty-Me role. But I brought this on myself. I had explained in a very public forum that when I am thinking I need to look into the distance.…
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#13: Why I look away to give you a thoughtful response
Here’s nonsense at work. My work often requires that I think carefully before I speak. Yes, yes, I know. We should all do that. But, as we also know, some talk has more consequences than other talk. And I do so like to think that my talk with clients is consequential and worthy of careful…
#12: Don’t only build your strengths
Here’s nonsense at work with a trap to avoid if you want to land a job or get a promotion. Some populist life-skills coaches promote the idea that you should build your strengths, while ignoring your weaknesses. They argue that you are employed and rewarded for your strengths, not to work on your weaknesses. This…
#11: Whistle as you (stop) work
Here’s nonsense at work. Guess what I like about sports and other games. They end. They finish. They last for a pre-defined, limited time. Remember when we had a time limited for work? It was called the 8-hour day and the 40-hour week. You don’t remember? No wonder. All work and no play gives Jack…
#10: The three most important words I have learned
Here’s nonsense at work. Let me share with you the three most important words I learned as a consultant. Listen carefully: “I don’t know.” Yes, yes, I know that consultants are not normally paid for not knowing. Nor are leaders. But leaders and consultants can be at their most effective when they admit to not…
#9: Periodically pull the plug to wipe your life
Here’s nonsense at work with an unplugged message. What happens when your electrical circuit is overloaded? It cuts out. What happens when your computer overheats? It shuts down. And when your hard drive is full? It stops saving. That’s how we should cope with information overload. Periodically pull the plug, reboot and start with a…