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Articles
The power of new beginnings
In the afterglow of the eclipse, I’ve been thinking about William Bridges’ transition model, and the applications it has in our careers and lives. In his book Transitions, Bridges talks about the endings, neutral zones, and new beginnings that come with shifts, and those were all a part of Monday’s experience. The first step in Bridges’ model is endings, where what existed before ceases. As my husband and I stood in the mall parking lot in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska—a location that would deliver the total eclipse opportunity–we watched as...
read moreRecognition for a job well done.
My mom had major surgery recently, and I spent a week post-op nearly round the clock by her side. I wanted to be there if she needed me, but mostly it was for my own peace of mind. Was she being well cared for? I needn’t have worried. Never before in my more than five decades have I had such an up-close view of today’s healthcare system. After spending over 140 continuous hours observing the processes and professionals, I was amazed and impressed at the expertise and dedication of people and systems in place to deliver care. The roles they...
read moreLaid off? Some tips for how to move forward.
“A few of my colleagues who have worked for the same company for 30 years are getting laid off. Could you write a column about what they should do? Most of them don’t have any idea.” This comment came from a reader, so here’s a step-by-step plan for them: Catch your breath. Getting laid off can be a huge shock, and it’s likely that you won’t be thinking straight for a while. Rather than updating your LinkedIn profile immediately, go into crisis mode instead, until your head stops spinning. Talking with someone you trust about your feelings...
read moreFear and change. How to keep your career edge.
Worry you’re losing your edge in your career? You’re not alone–there’s even an acronym for that: FOBO – Fear of Becoming Obsolete. Local bestselling author Debra Benton, in partnership with Kylie Write-Ford, tackle this topic in their newly-released book, “The Leadership Mind Switch.” Here are a few compelling data points to get you thinking in more progressive directions: “Every two days, we create as much information as we did from the dawn of man through 2003”, informs Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google. An attitude of, “We’ve always...
read moreA career in cannabis. Is it for you?
A career in cannabis is controversial: some workers dig in their heels and say, “Not me! I’d never have anything to do with that,” while others are eagerly doing their best to break in, intrigued at the possibilities. In my 20+ years supporting career development in Colorado, a handful of professional paths have either excited or repelled local workers: oil and gas drilling, quickie loan companies, and yes, even beer brewing, to name a few. Karson Humiston, who founded and runs Vangst, a cannabis worker recruiting firm, specializes in filling...
read moreMature workers and aging. What not to do in employment.
Twice in the last few weeks the world has reminded me of my chronological progression. At a local store, a clerk asked if I qualified for the senior discount, and flying home from Minneapolis, the TSA agent told me to keep my shoes on as a courtesy to their more mature flyers. And yes, as of yesterday, I do qualify for benefits for anyone 55 or over. Aging is concern for more mature workers, and now that I’ve officially joined that category, I’m asking myself, as objectively as possible, are these worries valid? I do find myself a bit slower...
read moreLearning to negotiate. Insightful tips that will help you make a difference in your career.
Last week I led a discussion about negotiation with a group of 40 female employees at the City of Fort Collins. The topic was how to negotiate more effectively. It was an intriguing, inspiring conversation. We started with a quick survey of how many in the room knew what they specifically wanted to negotiate for–different responsibilities, higher pay, a step up–and fewer than ten felt they had a clear idea. This, it turns out, is pretty typical. On average, about 70 percent of professionals have a difficult time articulating what...
read moreThe one skill women lack that undermines our success. What it is and how to get it!
The next time you’ve got a huge goal you want to achieve, aim for an A- effort, rather than A+. This, according to Colorado State University talent management expert Alexis Kanda-Olmstead, will get you farther faster than aiming for perfection. She also advises taking brave baby steps, rather than courageous leaps, especially if you’re a woman. Why? It turns out that in a national study conducted by CSU, women outshine men in every category for leadership effectiveness except one, and that weakness frequently undermines our successes. Our...
read moreAn exciting new chapter for CSG!
Nearly 10 years ago, my husband and I took the dive and bought a property to house my business: 430 Stover Street, a small house built in 1905 that had been converted to an office a few years earlier. The warmth and charm of the place was nearly too much to resist, and a small inheritance from my grandfather took care of the down payment. Plus, I figured, with the increased visibility of the office’s location at the corner of Mulberry and Stover, sales would grow enough to cover the mortgage. There was a huge snowstorm the day we closed on...
read moreCreating a Habit. Start this week with Bike to Work Day.
This coming Wednesday, Fort Collins celebrates one of my favorite days of the year: Bike to Work day. Been thinking about adding this to your life? Habit expert Christine Whelan offers these tips, to which I’ve added bike-to-work strategies: Start small and specific, such as riding to work on Mondays and Wednesdays. Determine what you’ll need to add and subtract to make room for this change. For instance, it will likely take you more time to bike than to drive. Over 50% of workers live within 10 miles of their workplace, a commute that will...
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