For many of us in the United States, September means “back to school”. In the business world, that sense of starting anew often prompts team leaders to consider some sort of social off-site activity (lunch, golf, attending a cultural event) as a means to energize their team. Off-site activities, when properly conceived and aligned to…
No Monkeys!
One of our family’s all-time favorite movies is Toy Story 2. The end of the movie features “out takes” showing the characters’ bloopers. My favorite out take is the one where Mrs. Potato Head is helping Mr. Potato head pack for his big adventure to go rescue Woody. She very helpfully says, “I’ve packed your…
Big Girl Pants
I was hard at work at my desk one day, concentrating on a project. I sensed someone standing in my doorway, then heard chuckling. I looked up to find my staid, quiet “cube wall” neighbor laughing and pointing. She was directing her attention to framed artwork on my office wall that reads “Put your big…
Are You Filling the Candy Bowl?
We were at an outdoor barbeque earlier this summer, extolling the virtues of the hostess’ fantastic array of food. Talk turned to food at the office and how there’s always some sort of tasty treat being laid out for munching. Pete piped up—“Yeah, I know what you mean—I can hardly resist the M&M bowl. I…
The Story of Pete and Sally
One of my favorite book series is the Sweet Potato Queens written by Jill Conner Browne. Her books are an irreverant, saucy combination of self-help, memoir, philosophical ruminations and recipes all rolled into one. In her books, Conner Browne uses a very clever literary device— all of her friends are named “Tammy” to protect their identity. It occurs…