Danny was my first supervisor and the biggest influence on me as I became a manager myself. I have already written a few times about him, starting with my first day as his employee. Although Danny taught me a whole lot about how to run… Read More »Not What It Looks Like
During my first few weeks working at the world’s largest library, I was witness to a situation in which a middle-level manager tried to pull the wool over the eyes of an executive-level manager. It was apparently successful and taught me that a manager –… Read More »Fooling the Boss
Upon graduating from high school, I was dead set on my career path. I was going to become a filmmaker. My graduation gift from my parents was a Super 8 camera, and I immediately began experimenting with it. That fall, my schooling in cinematography began… Read More »Who Sleeps on this Side of the Bed?
Anyone who is the least bit self-aware knows his or her own strengths and weaknesses. It is a real key to being successful in life. For me, one of my biggest strengths is also a considerable weakness. I would like to remove the weak side… Read More »So, We Got Wet
Have you ever known someone who is just a natural whiz at doing anything of a do-it-yourself nature? He or she is the type who can build a shed, repair a leaky faucet, use a chainsaw to cut down a tree, change a car’s flat… Read More »No, That Is Not Me
I became a manager in 1989 after almost twenty years spent in various jobs and organizations as a mission worker. Somehow, I thought that as one moved up the ladder, the quality of your peers and interactions with them were somehow on a plane elevated… Read More »A Great Disappointment
Everyone has dreams – goals or objectives that they hope to achieve. Many dreams are difficult to attain, such as losing fifty pounds or writing a book. But those goals can be realized with enough determination and perseverance. It is possible to reach those dreams… Read More »Is It A Dream or a Fantasy?
Have you ever believed something about yourself for a long time and then found out it wasn’t true? It’s surprising, right? In certain instances, it can be painful, too. I recently was presented with one of those surprises. Something I had believed about myself since… Read More »Are You Sure That’s Still True?
As a librarian, I feel fortunate to have spent the past 39 years working at the Library of Congress – the nation’s library. And I am convinced that I got my foot in the door by separating myself from the crowd. How did I accomplish… Read More »Stand Out from the Crowd
I made a list of all the bosses I have had since I began my working life over fifty years ago. It was fun and illuminating for me to pull it together. There are twenty-eight names on the list. Some have had a great impact… Read More »Know Your Boss