There seem to be two types of people in meetings these days – those tethered to their smart phones (overtly or surreptitiously typing away), and the rest of us seething with anger at what they are doing. It’s a common issue I face, not only in meetings with clients but in group workshops, etc. When […]

At higher levels in an organization, your personal brand must include “strategic thinker.” The last blog post introduced the concept, now let’s go a little deeper. Most people start their career dealing with the tactical in their job – solving an immediate problem, reacting to circumstances, and putting out fires when they arise. As you

Could be coincidence, but four clients last month mentioned the same concern: their bosses have told them they are weak in “strategic thinking.” OK, so all of these individuals are from the same company and maybe that’s the theme du jour, but nevertheless, we should explore this perceived deficiency! First, what is strategic thinking? It’s

Remember that moment sometime in childhood when you realized that your signature was special? After seeing the bold swirls of John Hancock’s famous mark on the Declaration of Independence in 6th grade, I practiced writing my own name in dozens of ways to find the most impressive style for a life full of fame and

OK, gentlemen readers – this issue has finally reached critical mass: Shapewear for men is the new reality. With more and more articles in the popular press covering this topic, I believe we can decisively say this category of “squeeze, tuck and hide it” underwear is here to stay. What does this mean? Just as

We’ve blogged about dining etiquette. We’ve blogged about office etiquette. What about phone etiquette? Phone skills seem to be overlooked, even though first impressions are often made via phone these days. Most people don’t think “rules” for talking on the phone or leaving a voicemail exist, but if you want to maintain your polished professional

Our last blog advised you on pre-interview preparation. You’ve followed our advice, and the big day is finally here. Now what? Read on and you’ll be sure to ace your interview. Impress the gatekeeper. “Who’s the gatekeeper?” you ask. This is the person you meet initially — usually the receptionist or the assistant to the

Everyone will have an interview at some point in their life. But because it happens so infrequently, most people have little experience with the process and are usually unprepared in some way. What to wear? What questions to expect? What body language to exhibit? How to follow-up? These are only a few of the many