Karen’s Articles
What Do Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Juneteenth Have in Common?
As the calendar turns and we go from one special occasion to the next, I am often surprised to hear, “I hate Christmas!” “We never celebrate Valentine's Day.” “Every day should be Mother’s Day!” If we read between the lines, we will understand that what is actually...
Your Organization Looks Like You
When I read this article, one of many on “The Great Resignation,” I was reminded of what my accountant told me many years ago. She said, “Over time, employees start to reflect the values of the leader.” While this article refers to creating a culture where employees...
When Ethics Collide With Sales
Your team has scored a meeting with a sought-after new client, Michael, a well-liked VP in the manufacturing industry. Participants in the meeting include three colleagues from your organization plus an additional four employees from the client’s company. The group...
Honoring Those Who Have Died in Military Service
I just love it when I “catch" employees doing their work with love. Several years ago, I witnessed a park ranger standing in 95 degree heat and humidity. All day long she moved her ladder to the spot where a friend or relative could see the name of their loved one...
You Can’t Fake Nice
An employee in a meeting I was facilitating felt comfortable telling her colleagues “I am nice at home, but I don’t have time to be nice at work.” “What?!” I thought. As much as we sometimes think we have split personalities – that we are funny with friends, but...
When Objectives Collide
When I was in graduate school at Johns Hopkins University, I took a course on Facilitation held by the esteemed professor, Roger Karsk. At the end of the semester, Roger offered me a job as a teaching assistant and I sprang at the opportunity. Ever since then I have...
Green Eggs and Ham and Vacations
Yesterday I conducted a class. There was a lively discussion about boundaries and respecting the “off” time of colleagues and employees. I said that receiving an email during the weekend was like getting a mental ping when you are trying to watch a movie, mow the...
What’s Going Right May Disappear
In organizations, we tend to focus on what is going wrong instead of what is going right. When we fail to pay attention to what's going well, it can evaporate quickly. -- Karen Snyder For more of Karen's workplace wisdom, check out her book Eating Worms:...
She Gave Me More Than My Wallet
On April 28, 2018, I was driving home from a speaking engagement with the Training Officers Consortium. I spoke on how to resolve conflict in the workplace and then I packed up my bags and started driving. It was pouring; not one of those gentle spring rains, but a...
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