Innate strategist with a passion for change, communication and alphabetizing my spices. Prosci and PMI certified.
Picture this: It's a hot summer day. You're on the beach and it's your turn to order ice cream. Finally. "Oh, yum, I'll have the butter pecan. Two scoops. Wait, no, the moose tracks. Single. In a waffle cone. Say, is that strawberry cheesecake? Yeah, that sounds better. Hold on—you have gelato?! Lemon, please!" There's … Continue reading Teaching Helplessness
An AAR is a great tool when used effectively. Used ineffectively, it becomes another blame game that corrodes morale and true collaboration.
Why do change efforts fail? Misalignment with vision? Lack of leadership? Poor planning? Weak WIIFM? (That's, What's in it for me?) Let's see...<opens textbook>...yep. All of the above. That's okay, you know the methodology. How to be an Influencer and Change Anything. How to overcome the Five Dysfunctions of a Team. So you create a … Continue reading Ready…Aim…Fire!
Where do we pick up our bad habits? Parents? Older siblings? Influential friends? Maybe, but I'll offer another—teachers. Yes, I said it—teachers. "Ok, class, your assignment is to write a 5,000-word essay." <collective groan> Well, esteemed teachers, it is my opinion, therefore, that you are, solely, though perhaps unjustly, insomuch as responsible for one of … Continue reading Breaking Bad (Habits)
You just got the email. A new, exciting software change is coming to your organization...SOON! The email probably touted benefits of the new software in a succinct bulleted list: Accelerates our digital transformation. Enables anytime, anywhere collaboration. Offers new features and enhanced security. Yep, that's pretty standard language for what we in the biz call … Continue reading Prepare for Launch in 28…14…7…1…
Faster than office rumors, more powerful than good strategy, able to leap poor planning in a single bound. The child of Writeon is now the Woman of Miracles: Email Writer Girl! I'm here to fix all your problems with a single email. <swoosh> Ta-dah! No need to thank me; it's my job. <sigh> When I have the … Continue reading Email Writer Girl Saves the Day
We all have a fantasy world. Mine has Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In fact, the words Policies, Procedures and Plans make my mind wander off to explore the infinite possibilities... Wait? Aren't standardization and infinite possibilities on opposite ends of the spectrum? Oh no, my friends. In fact, I'd argue they're dependent upon one another! … Continue reading What’s SOP?
How does an introvert develop a passion for effective communication? By disaster. I spent several years with the American Red Cross as both an employee and volunteer. And it was in the disaster planning arena where I gained my favorite story on communication gone wrong. In the disaster response world, agencies and organizations prepare by … Continue reading Communicating Under Fire
Dangerous? A verb? Yes. Think about it. How often have you said... They should have thought of that. (Because you have the advantage of hindsight?) My husband/wife should XYZ. (Because your way is best?) They should know that. (Because you do?) Don't get me wrong—I'm guilty. Probably more often than I care to admit in … Continue reading Should—The Most Dangerous Verb
If life is like a box of chocolates, organizational change is like a relationship—and the step-parent is the change consultant.