The Long Path

For years as an IT diagnostician, my most sought-after skill was being able to know someone’s mind (and thus their technology needs) well enough to anticipate needs, or at the least being able to translate needs into something I can deliver. Later as an IT Director and V-P, when onboarding beginner Tier 1 tech support […]

“Would You Rather…”

December 29, 2017 Gather round, kiddies — we’re going to talk about business ethics. Wait!  Don’t run away! When my wife worked at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, one of her coworkers used to ask interesting interview questions to get at the heart of the ethical dilemmas inherent in modern work.  For example:  “Would you […]

Play to your Strengths

October 26, 2017 One of the best parts of my profession involves being a tireless seeker of truth, and by extension, information.  It’s been a part of me forever.  When I was growing up minor arguments would erupt at the dinner table that would be solved by me rushing to the bookshelves, grabbing a World […]

You don’t know how it feels

October 3, 2017 RIP, Tom Petty… This week I’m at the United Way’s Finance, Talent, and Technology Management Forum in Dallas.  It’s my first time here — the UW has recently added “Technology” to the roster of this conference, and it’s been a wonderfully refreshing opportunity to learn and discuss all the big-picture tech issues, […]

What? And give up Show Business?

My favorite joke about working in Nonprofit Leadership.  From the Vaudeville era: The circus comes to town, and everyone turns up for the grand parade down Main Street.  There’s the Strong Man, the Bearded Lady, and Lions and Tigers in cages, pulled by beautiful horses.  Then, at the end, come the Elephants marching in single […]

Unintended Consequences

September 24, 2017 Like most of the U.S. (of a certain age anyway), I’m slogging my way through Ken Burns’ Vietnam on PBS.  Since I was a youngster back then, it’s been educational to fill in the blanks of my memory on the War that Won’t Go Away.  I’ve been relearning the terms “Viet Minh,”  […]