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Fine Lines.
I find it ironic that it’s sometimes the people who are against talking about feelings or self-reflecting that are the most emotional. In business, it can be challenging for subordinates or colleagues to approach these people with constructive feedback. It’s waiting until that person is in the right mood, reading the situation, treading lightly, and being deliberate with the words you say. While this typically applies in any situation, some (people and situations) are more sensitive than others. When developing new relationships, personally or professionally, the same approach applies. We walk fine lines. It’s not until a level of trust builds that we can be more direct. We often don’t…
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Commentary.
It is so painful to read the comments on posts related to these E. coli outbreaks. People are so quick to point the finger, and they are convinced they are right in their assumption. But you can say that about any topic on any platform. 🙄 The main argument I see online is people blaming farm workers for pooping in the fields. You guys. 🤦🏻♀️ If a farm worker has E. coli, he is not going to be pooping in the field. He is going to be in the hospital with all the other victims. E. coli O157:H7 is a very virulent pathogen. We all know that bacteria are very,…
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Expectations.
I had several conversations this week that essentially revolved around expectations. Each conversation was unique with different circumstances, different personalities, different goals, and different intentions. So when I said intentions don’t matter, I was kind of lying. But really, it all depends. In one conversation, we were talking about how a specific person has a reputation of over-promising and under-delivering. The consistent under-delivery has now become my expectation. Whether he cannot produce due to intentional or accidental circumstances, it doesn’t matter. The habit formed has shaped my opinion of him, and I now find him unreliable and untrustworthy. This will ultimately lead to a dissolution of the relationship, unless he…
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The Little Things.
I am not one of those people who easily overlooks the little things. Little things matter. I know someone who constantly forgets to tell me minor things or he will play them down. The key here is that I said “constantly.” All of these little things add up to create big things: resentment, frustration, anger, stress. Examples: Last minute changes: Forgetting to keep me in the loop inconveniences me to drop what I’m doing and rush something through. The saying “Lack of preparation on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine” doesn’t always hold true, especially in business. When he forgets something, and I have to remind him:…