Dear Colette, I’m part of a project team and one person in particular does not carry his load. Fun guy, but doesn’t follow through. The way our system is structured, our team is accountable to one another without any direct supervision. Rumblings amongst the team are common, but no one is willing to step up…
Dear Colette, After working for the same boss for 9 years I got a new boss this past March. Old boss is in his early 60’s (same as me) and my new boss is 35. At review time this June, I did not get a raise or a bonus that I have always had every…
A good friend has just gotten the news no one wants to hear: her test results show cancer. She tells you her diagnosis over the phone, and instantly you’re hit with all kinds of emotions – concern, sadness, sympathy, and worst of all, the knowledge that there is nothing you can do to make this…
Dear Colette, As a volunteer for a community group, I’m frustrated with our monthly meetings and looking for help. Technically, I’m not supervising the individuals I work with on my particular project, but we are all responsible for getting monthly updates and insights in our particular area from one another. One person in particular, rather…
~ Chris Matakas, #Human: Learning To Live In Modern Times Call it the duality of existence, or universal yin and yang, but there is a natural balance in life, both around and within us. When I consider this applied personally, I’m reminded of my long-held belief that whatever we naturally excel at both serves and…
“You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” ~Walt Disney Among the most vivid memories stored in my brain’s what-doesn’t-kill-us-makes-us-stronger area is that day on the school bus in 7th grade. New to the neighborhood and school, I wanted…
Dear Colette, I work in an office that has a large generational gap and most of the “in office” staff is female. More than once this has led to ruffled feathers and confrontation, usually on a more personal side. More and more, however, I am noticing the younger staff turning to other young members of…
Dear Colette, I’m a docent at a botanical garden and lead a monthly walk, preceded by a 15-minute talk about the plants, indigenous peoples or other relevant topics. Training to be a docent is a rigorous, 10-week, in-depth program, complete with a thick binder of information. The training concludes with a difficult written and walking…
Dear Colette, I love what you teach about being clear and direct in your communication versus being passive- digressiveTM . However, this can produce a catch-22, as men don’t expect women to be direct. There’s even research published that shows when women are direct, we’re perceived as *itches. The exception is when we speak on…
Dear Colette, My 18-year-old daughter went off to college a couple months ago and now my husband and I are empty-nesters — and I can’t seem to get out of my funk. I find myself crying more often, especially first thing in the morning after my husband has left for work. I’m starting to support…