Too True to Tell: Confession of a Non-Transvestite

The day I got into an argument with a bill collector about whether I was a man or a woman was the day I decided no longer to correct the error with callers. From that day until recently I just answered to the random “Sir” without offence or explanation. But something happened a couple of years ago that shook that foundation. I shook it off, regained my bearings, and went on with business as usual. That is, until today . . .

Don’t Blame the Jelly: Breaking the Chain of Toxic Relationships

You’ve got to “bring it” to get it and to “bring it right” takes a process of inside-out healing from the past. There is no auto-magic, overnight list of do-betters that will result in the change you want in relationships. You have to address what’s wrong from the inside-out.

The reason we wind up in repeated non-affirming and unedifying relationships has less to do with known expectations, and more to do with the hidden expectations that elude us.

WHEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BECOMES WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Domestic violence should be a concern for leadership. Well beyond the individual who suffers the mental or physical abuse, friends, family members, and coworkers’ lives are also vulnerable to potential violence. Anyone in close proximity of the victim is in potential danger. But it gets worse.

THE 6-MINUTE $20 MILLION SPEECH

Peabody Award Winner, Fred McFeely Rogers, has been lauded for cinching the $20 million funding for public television. What is less discussed is what it was about his testimony that won the day. Here is what can be learned from this crucial 6-minute speech that gave the committee leader “goosebumps for the first time in two days.”

CUSTOMER COMPLAINS – STAFF CALLS OUT THE “FIRING SQUAD”

Again, Starbucks corporate office rightfully apologized for an unfortunate, poorly handled, incident at one of their stores. Given the company’s history of addressing similar matters, they took further action to ensure no further such occurrences. There appears to be no transparency, however, with respect to what that action entailed. But that is a matter for another blog post. Let’s hit the rewind button here.

PURSUIT OF PERFECTION: ENEMY OF INNOVATION

“I’m a perfectionist.” How many times have you heard that from a coworker, supervisor or in an interview? At first light, you might think this individual is perfect for detail-oriented tasks. You might consider them for supervisory work that requires a detailed review of subordinate work products. But, is this character trait really what the organization needs?

Don’t Chase the Marketplace! Cause the Right Market to Chase You

Many successful and powerful people are suffering stress and chaos perpetuated by a past that they do not realize is affecting them. I am a prime example. While I saw life through trauma-stained glasses, I earned two degrees, had songs recorded by a famous singing group, wrote a thesis that resulted in a Prison Fellowship partnership for an ex-offender reintegration program in my area. Everybody was impressed. The whole time I was clueless-at-the-helm because my personal life was in shambles and I did not know why. Many lives are affected by a single life changed. I live to facilitate that change in others.