“Pencil-whip. Verb. (third-person singular simple present pencil whips, present participle pencil whipping, simple past and past participle pencil whipped) (idiomatic) To approve a document without actually knowing or reviewing what it is that is being approved.” Typically, pencil whipping is as the definition above from yourdictionary.com implies. It is signing documents without really knowing what is being signed. … Continue reading Pencil-whipped
Tag: training
I recently consulted with a job-seeker somewhere in-between a career change and a life change. Her former career having been less than kind, resulted in a bit of time off while she cleared her head. Fast-forward three years and she was ready to return to the field for which she was well trained, qualified and … Continue reading Bait and Switch
There’s an old saying – at least I hope it’s still a saying, ‘You only get one chance to make a first impression.’ It’s the premise, albeit somewhat misguided perhaps, behind the retail greeter. “Welcome to Wally-World, thank you for coming.” It’s also behind the root principal of consistency in service and hospitality. If a … Continue reading First Impressions: No Substitutions
A part of me is teacher – more by nature than by nurture. I understand basic educational theory, have been trained a bit and have had many opportunities to instruct others. I’ve taught audio and video production to undergraduates, an introduction to the six-string guitar at community college, a range of traditional academic subjects during … Continue reading A Teaching Moment … Lost
For close to 40 years my family has enjoyed a ‘go-to’ pizzeria in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. With a multitude of choices within walking or delivery distance, this place was a standout. Somehow, just a little tastier than the competition. Even after we’ve flown the family coop - when visiting the old neighborhood and … Continue reading Ready for a Change?
“You’ve Tried the Rest, Now Try the Best” That’s one of my favorite pizza box slogans. Another, I’m sure I’ve seen is “If you love our pizza, tell a friend. If not, tell us.” Mr. Cynical side has always interpreted that latter suggestion as ‘tell us and it will die with us,’ but my inner … Continue reading B-B-Bad Reputation?
Concurrently Published on LinkedIn. Employers and managers must never assume ‘leadership’ comes with position. Good leaders are trained, tracked, guided, and given the tools to succeed - and help their teams succeed. When they aren’t the human toll can be palpable. I recently talked with a gray collar worker fresh out of a difficult pickle. … Continue reading A Top Down Failure of Leadership
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