Karen’s Articles
Good Cop, Bad Cop: A Lesson for Leaders
At the risk of giving the impression that I’m a terrible driver, I would like to tell you about two very different encounters I have had with traffic cops. One afternoon after flying back from a presentation, I found my car in the parking lot and then I hit the...
Your Mouth is Where the Money Is
There was a time when the answer to the question "What do you do?" was easy to answer: "I work on an assembly line." "I install windows." "I make boots." You did something tangible, and you got paid for it. There was a connection between the quantity you produced...
Blooms are not Incidental
A year ago, I needed to replace the walkway leading to my office. I called three landscapers to estimate the project. The first landscaper was affable enough, took some measurements, and left. The second assessed the area and then turned to me and said, "What mood...
Positive Outcomes
About 18 years ago, I attended a networking event (with my four-month-old daughter strapped into a snuggly), and I was lamenting to some colleagues that the lion's share of my consulting business came from one client - a great client with whom I thoroughly enjoyed...
A Thimble or a Beer Stein?
You've followed all the rules for an effective performance review with your assistant: you found a time that works for both of you; you booked a private spot; and you made sure you wouldn't be interrupted. It all seemed to be going well until he suddenly turned...
Bullying in the Workplace?
It's not me, it's you.... Four years ago, I was asked to coach Tracy. Tracy was by definition morbidly obese. She was experiencing extreme distress and anxiety because her colleagues - grown adults - teased and taunted her about her weight. When the culprits were...
Is Your Leader Wearing the Emperor’s New Clothes?
Your colleague just bombed his presentation to the board. He went on way too long, and the data portion was so confusing. But when he asks how he did, you reply, "Nice job. Is that a new tie?" Our basic survival instinct tells us to answer positively, even if there...
Terrible, Horrible Day?
At some point, we all have what my now 18-year-old daughter liked to call "stinky-poo days." It's an amusing way of recognizing that sometimes you just have to get over yourself and deal with the circumstances at hand. In fact, my epic stinky-poo day involved my...
The More Specific, The More Terrific
You can't improve if you don't know what you're doing wrong. Makes sense, doesn't it? In reality, many of us complain about underachieving co-workers, but don't give them the type of feedback they need to do their jobs better. Let me give you an example: Several...
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