Category Archives: Essays

Mostly true. Names may have been changed to disguise the guilty.

February 10, 2015 · 8:33 pm

Is That A Mirror On Your Boot Or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

Brace yourselves – I’ve got another life lesson based on footwear.

I’m in Minneapolis this week for work and leaving the airport found inspiration for today’s post. (There must be something magical in the air out here. A prior trip provided this nugget.) Monday was a travel day. More importantly, a travel day that started in the snowy, slushy, salty, sloshy mush of a Syracuse blizzard. A trip to the Syracuse airport that should have taken less than 20 minutes took almost twice that. While I’ve brought my new pink sneakers (because I always people to know Where I Stand) I didn’t want to expose them to that slushy, salty… you get the picture. My travel footwear of choice? My good old Doc Martens.

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December 10, 2014 · 9:29 pm

I’m Mad as Hell, and… Well, You Get the Idea…

Right this moment, as I type this, I’m sitting at a sports bar crying.

I’m traveling for work this week and have been in strategic meetings since Monday. I am wearing my professional persona. From early morning until late afternoon (and into our group dinners in the evening) I’ve been wearing the mask of the business person. It’s important to look and act appropriate for the role that you are filling. I’m sincere in that statement. In that particular role, I try to be judicious and measured in my communications with my business partners. As I have not yet been pulled aside in a conversation that starts with “hey, we need to talk about that email that you sent…” I figure I’m successful in presenting the persona that my company expects from me.

But right now, I’m pissed. These are tears of anger. I am NOT professional.

Look out.
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October 25, 2014 · 1:22 pm

Hey Brother – Can You Spare a College Degree?

We live in a wondrous time. Knowledge has never been more accessible to everyone than it is today. The times they are a-changin’. Especially when you think about the higher education industry. Continue reading →

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October 22, 2014 · 10:34 pm

Chapter 117: In Which I Share A (Not So) Guilty Pleasure

Technically – on paper – I guess I’m middle aged. It’s true. I’m 43. My once-luxurious dark hair has faded with the years. I now rock the salt and pepper look. But I’m still young at heart. And that feels fine.

In the days of my youth, I pursued whatever interest struck my fancy. My lifelong interest in martial arts? Yup. Purging the memories of being the small kid in class by becoming a cop? Check. Too shy around girls? No proble… uh, next question.

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September 3, 2014 · 12:14 am

Ethics Are Important Because People Are Dumb

Leaders are human. (Obvious, I know. Stick with me. We’ll get through this!) As such, they make mistakes. (Wait, where are you going? OK, let’s move this along…)

Let’s assume that leaders can make small-m-mistakes or big-M-Mistakes. If you’re new in a leadership role or aspiring to one, you’ll want to keep your inevitable missteps to the shallow end of the pool. Not, as one company has recently done, take a screaming Triple Lindy off the highest platform into the deep end. Operating within a clearly defined ethical system may help you stay on the right side of the floating pool line.

It's a floating pool line.

Which side of the line are you on?

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