Tag Archives: women’s transition issues

A simple handshake?

Posted on March 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

“The justices shake each other’s hand. That’s just what they do each time…It just- it’s meaningful, and I’m glad the court does that,” said Sandra Day O’Connor during her interview with NPR’s Terry Gross (‘Out Of Order’ At The Court: O’Connor On Being The First Female Justice, March 5, 2013).  Chief Justice Melville Fuller started this custom in the late 1800’s saying that “it shows that harmony of aims, if not views, is the court’s guiding principle.”  O’Connor concurred.   It introduced a harmony.  Aligned members.  I wonder if a handshake is a metaphor for transition? Continue reading →

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Introductions….

Posted on February 28, 2013 | 2 comments

“His contact info is on the sheet I gave you,” said Susie Q., a flighty woman who sat across from me in a meeting yesterday.   She previously chaired a major event in our community, a STEM celebration for children and their families.  STEM for those untouched by the K-12 education arena stands for science, technology, engineering and math.  It’s all the rage.  This year I hold the lofty honor of event chair.  “Give him a call,” she intoned.   Continue reading →

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What role….money?

Posted on February 21, 2013 | Leave a comment

“A lot of it comes down to the money,” shared a seasoned business leader from the executive outplacement arena.  I turned to him for some expert advice under the auspices of the Research Jam.  I wondered how to categorize people in transition?    From his perch folks in transition fall into three buckets: those who want to explore a dramatic life or career shift; those who simply wish to replicate their prior selves; and those who want to leverage their life or professional experiences to try something new or entrepreneurial.   What about a common underlying issue?  You guessed it.  Money. Continue reading →

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Alignment and Transition

Posted on February 14, 2013 | Leave a comment

“It was nice meeting myself again,” stated the twenty-fifth respondent to the Research Jam’s online survey.    This person had served more than ten years in a corporate role before an unexpected job transition caused a new route into independent consulting.   The respondent offered a perspective on the 5th anniversary of this new journey….”the impact on my life (and my family’s life) has been overwhelmingly positive.   I have met dozens of fascinating individuals whom I likely would not have met if my head was still buried at a corporate desk. I have also learned, and continue to learn, a lot about myself.” Continue reading →

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The other F word…

Posted on February 7, 2013 | Leave a comment

“You’re always equipped with your own voice,” responded Nina Senott an executive with Girls’ Leap during an interview on WCVB’s CityLine.   Host Karen Holmes Ward was inquiring about the non-profit’s focus on the safety and well-being of young women from crime ridden and violent neighborhoods of Boston.  Ms. Senott ticked off impressive programs…most of which encouraged young women to embrace who they are…despite incredibly difficult environments and even worse odds.   Voice. Continue reading →

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Permission?

Posted on January 31, 2013 | Leave a comment

“Medicine is gray.  It is rarely black or white,” conceded Dr.  Maher Tabba, the  fellowship director at a local teaching hospital.   We were discussing a challenging medical case.  A patient’s diagnosis eluded Tabba and his team.   He sought certainty.   But like so much…..informed instinct combined with knowledge and experience would have to lead the way. Continue reading →

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Time for questions?

Posted on January 24, 2013 | Leave a comment

“I have a passion to know things,” said Morgan Freeman, one of my all time favorite actors, as he responded to Charlie Rose‘s query.  Rose, installed unadorned at his round table, listened intently as Freeman described a pet project of his, “Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman.”  The cable series investigates the questions that have puzzled humankind, and Freeman, seemingly forever.   During the interview Freeman described himself as having, “a passion to know things.  (As a kid) I was not science minded.  I was an A student because I questioned.”  Questioned? Continue reading →

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The Best Decision You Ever Made?

Posted on January 10, 2013 | 3 comments

‘I’m the best decision this organization ever made,’ said quarterback Tom Brady in an early conversation with Bob Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots.  Brady joined the team in 2000 as the 199th 6th round pick.   Team talk usually misses me.   I write this only after someone explained to me the meaning of a ‘sixth round’ pick.   199th? Continue reading →

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Your wish?

Posted on January 3, 2013 | 2 comments

“I want to work on policy for the federal government,” replied a bubbly twenty-something friend at a holiday-themed cocktail hour.  She and I were talking about her career moves.  Within the past thirty days she’d pivoted from wanting to attend law school to enrolling in a masters program for paralegals.   I have to admit this pronouncement rocked me.  Her spirited response came after I finally asked, “what is your dream?” Continue reading →

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Pedaling fast enough?

Posted on December 6, 2012 | 2 comments

This week I happened to catch an interesting story in the New York Times by columnist Tara Parker-Pope.  She compiled a story about a multi-media project sponsored by her paper that asked readers to submit photos and stories about Life After Cancer.  “What cancer made me do in my own professional life is pedal faster,” shared breast cancer survivor Susan Schwalb, an artist featured in “New Meaning and Drive in Life After Cancer.” (New York Times, 12/4/12 D5)  Reading it I couldn’t help but think about pedaling but it was direction not speed that had my attention.

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