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12 Leadership Tips from the Queen of Quality

I’m not sure Martha Stewart would want me to call her the Queen of Quality, but “quality” is certainly signature to her brand, and I dub her that with all due respect for an amazing career which among other things, launched the “lifestyle” industry and continues to innovate it. In June, I was in Las Vegas, doing research at SHRM19—The largest convention for human resource leaders in the world, put on by the Society for Human Resources Management. There were over twenty thousand people, and I personally met many amazing and insightful people. One of the first morning keynotes was a conversation with Martha Stewart who was interviewed by the SHRM President and CEO, Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. Martha looked… Continue Reading

Face Your Fear, Own Your Life

I often counsel my students and mentees that all bad decisions are made for one of two reasons—fear or greed. For most people I know, greed is rarely the culprit unless temptation is in the form of gambling or investing. The real enemy if fear. Fear of submitting a resume and looking stupid. Fear of doing a job interview and not having the “right” answer. Fear of rejection. Fear of being alone. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of standing up to a loved one lest they walk out. Fear of speaking up and being embarrassed. Fear of losing face. Fear of being exposed. Fear of shame. Fear of losing your job. Fear of losing your spouse. Fear… Continue Reading

Living With Goals

I’m a very goal oriented person, but when one also has the goal of being a better friend, wife, daughter, etc., how you achieve those goals is sometimes in conflict with our work goals. Too late people realize that work was never the goal, right? I think this is what sends many people spinning into a mid-life crisis. So while I’m about to talk about how to achieve work goals, first and foremost make sure you are living in a way that is true to you. When you are with family, be with them one hundred percent. When you listening to your partner, listen one hundred percent. When you are playing with your child, engage one hundred percent. If you… Continue Reading

The Smallest Table

In addition to writing, I spent a career as an experience designer—skills that I use today but primarily when I design my life. My expertise was in interactive and participatory design. I did a ton of work on this while at Disney, but it was one night on vacation in New York City, with my husband and our two youngest children, that I realized the best design ever created… The Smallest Table The restaurant was crowded, as most were during Spring Break near Broadway and Times Square. There was a small square table in the center of a very crowded restaurant with a small chair on each side. Our knees easily touched and the length of the table was about… Continue Reading

A 16-Year-Old Talks the 6 Evils of Social Media

There have been hundreds of blogs about the negative side of social media but the other night, as we hung out at the kitchen table with friends, a 16-year-old shared with me how he thought social media was essentially bad for you. I thought I’d share his remarks as they speak to a failure on the part several generations. First, he admitted that social media can be fun, especially for sharing pet videos and practical jokes (that don’t cause physical harm or injury). But beyond that use, is this noted “time suck” valuable, or contributing to the betterment of humans any way? My young friend answers his own question with a resounding, “NO.” Here are his points primarily in his… Continue Reading

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Dreams and Schemes for a Legendary Life

12 Leadership Tips from the Queen of Quality

Face Your Fear, Own Your Life

Living With Goals

The Smallest Table

A 16-Year-Old Talks the 6 Evils of Social Media

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