Category Archives: Observations on Transition

Assessing forward progress…

Posted on September 27, 2013 | Leave a comment

“What has been the most difficult part of your transition?” asked a friend in a shaky voice.  Her tone underscored her status.  She sounded on edge.   My guess was that she was reeling from yet another setback.    Ever been there?  I was momentarily silent in response to her question.  Which  parts?   In my mind several were vying for the preeminent spot…most difficult. Continue reading →

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Transition’s creative barrier…

Posted on September 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

“Have you started cleaning closets?”  asked a business school classmate of mine immediately after I started my transition.   She shared that another classmate, who had been a high-ranking executive in the financial services industry, did exactly that for two months following her acrimonious departure from an employer.   My friend viewed this activity positively, a cleanse.  Was it?   Is cleanliness or organization an accompaniment to transition? Continue reading →

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Bringing Transition Into Focus

Posted on September 13, 2013 | Leave a comment

“Take yourself out of autopilot,” encouraged Janice Marturano, a former executive at General Mills and now head of the Institute for Mindful Leadership.  Her plea was part of an overall recommendation towards purposeful pauses featured in,  In Mindfulness, a Method to Sharpen Focus and Open Minds (NY Times 3/23/2012).  She reasoned that with mindfulness, “overtime you’ll feel more focused and connected to yourself and others.”  Reverse autopilot.  Could that concept benefit you? Continue reading →

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A decade’s lesson: maintain relationships

Posted on August 16, 2013 | Leave a comment

“I figured out how the guys do it,” screeched an exasperated friend following a conversation with a former colleague.  Over the course of the call my friend learned about a common practice in the financial services industry…parking certifications.  It seems that if a person leaves a large firm to ‘work’ in a consulting capacity said professional can hold onto their certifications.   Not so if that person simply becomes unemployed.  ‘That’s how the old boys network does it,” she fumed.  “They park someone’s certs and say they are ‘consulting.'”  She was beside herself.  From her perch….this ‘parking’ courtesy wasn’t often extended to women regardless of their vocation after leaving a large firm.  Continue reading →

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Transition’s initial step…..

Posted on August 9, 2013 | Leave a comment

“Don’t do that when I’m not around,” said my eight year old son.   “I like to learn when you’re on the phone,” he continued.  We were talking about what I do when he is at camp.   I told him that I held conference calls almost constantly while he was gone.  His comment surprised me.  I always perceived my work as an imposition on our time.  In fact I try desperately to manage work around my children’s schedules.  In a million years I wouldn’t have guessed that he would arrive at such a place.  Powerful concept. Learning. Continue reading →

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Pivot Points…..

Posted on July 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

“I broke my rule only once,” shared coach Kelly Nicholson of the Orleans’ Firebirds.  “I let a player have a cell phone on the field.”  Every kid present, roughly thirty-five of them, had their eyes glued to this commanding gentleman.   What could possibly drive such a rule departure?  It seems a player, Greg A., was awaiting a call from the president of San Diego State University.   Coach Kelly described Greg as a Rhodes Scholar finalist.  The call would alert him to his standing and next steps.  Lucky kid or something more? Continue reading →

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Transition’s Winning Formula…

Posted on July 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

“It wasn’t me,” shared Carlos Kotkin as part of The Moth’s Radio Hour.  “I felt like my spirit, my soul, was being stifled.  I hated my shoes.”  So went the conclusion of a story entitled The Accidental Executive.   Carlos went from college drop out, to chauffeur, to studio executive at 20th Century Fox in what seemed like twenty-four months.   Serendipity?  Perhaps.   His next move may surprise you. Continue reading →

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Transition’s Trails….

Posted on July 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

“Go to Florence,” quipped an early Novofemina Research Jam participant.   She was responding to a light-hearted question during a Focus Group.  “If we could pack a magic bag for a woman just starting transition, what should we put in it?” I asked.   The answers surprised me.   Kleenex.  Something warm.  Armor.  A friend.  Nothing.  What would you add?  Plane tickets? Continue reading →

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Marquee Moments….

Posted on June 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

“What are they going to ask me,” queried a former colleague as we were talking about her upcoming job interview.    ‘Marquee projects,’ I responded without even thinking.   She sought a new, expanded role in another company.   When we worked together she led a huge enterprise-wide initiative.   Yes, this was in addition to her day job.  Sound familiar?  Continue reading →

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Transition Requirement: Progress?

Posted on May 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

“Let’s not measure something simply because we can… let’s measure something because it’s meaningful,” challenged a woman sitting next to me as she stood and spoke into a cordless microphone at a corporate dinner I attended earlier this week.   She saw a gap between the items the company had the capability to measure versus the things that were perhaps more difficult to measure but really important indicators of the company’s future.   I understood her cautionary remark.  Can action feel like progress even if it isn’t progress at all? Continue reading →

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