Founder of Suggestion Ox (CEO) and TeamSnap. Author. Improviser. Rogue life coach.
work
Does your company have a list of the top-three priorities for this quarter? How about top-five? Congratulations, you have a list of ideas, not priorities. A priority can only be one thing It's inspiring to come up with a list of Very Important Things The Business Must Accomplish
ideas & advice
If you want to maximize your impact and happiness at work, there are two words you need to become comfortable saying: I disagree. No waffling. No hedging. No holding your tongue. If you disagree with a person, a strategy, or a decision, it's your job to speak up.
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You are expensive. Every hour you work costs your company $20, $50, $100 ... maybe more. It adds up fast. Stop using inefficient tools You wouldn't run your car without motor oil. So why in the world are you designing web pages without an external monitor? Or writing proposals
ideas & advice
You should adore your company. You should love the mission, align with the values and feel proud to work there. You should respect management, dig your coworkers and believe you're part of something important. You should be planning to stay there for a long time. But no matter
ideas & advice
I've interviewed hundreds of people during my career, and one thing has separated the most memorable conversations from the least memorable: They were conversations. The best candidates turn job interviews into discussions. Your curiosity shows me how you think It doesn't matter whether I'm
ideas & advice
You want management to approve something. Maybe it's a new hire. Or a big investment. Or putting the brakes on new features to tackle technical debt. Whatever it is, don't make this critical mistake: Not showing your work. Always give alternate options Even if you are
work
Something is broken at work. A process. A strategy. Maybe a software package isn't meeting the team's needs. Don't assume that management has any idea. The people in charge often have no idea what's not working It's a hard truth
ideas & advice
Something is confusing at work. Maybe the company strategy presentation didn't quite add up. Or the last product showcase used so many acronyms your head spun. Or perhaps nothing the CFO says is in plain English. You are not alone. Everybody is confused at work We all imagine
work
Ready to rocket your career to the next level? Before you spend two years in business school, try this instead: Take an improv class. Fear of public speaking is career-limiting No matter how brilliant you are at your job, if you can't stand up in front of people
ideas & advice
Imagine trying to getter better at your job without any feedback. That's what it's like to be a manager. The people who know exactly what needs improvement won't say. Tell your manager what they can do better Most people never give their manager any
ideas & advice
You've found your dream role. The only problem: they ask for a bunch of experience you don't have. Apply anyway. Most job requirements are fake When companies put together job descriptions they throw in every requirement under the sun. Most of these requirements are nice-to-haves, not
ideas & advice
You work hard. You're a dedicated employee. Sometimes you put in nights and weekends. So when you go on vacation, your instinct is going to be to "check in" just to make sure everything is OK. Don't. Unplug fully when you go on vacation