One of the most frustrating aspects of applying for almost anything these days—from awards to fellowships to grants—is answering open-ended questions that have tight word or character limits. I’m reminded of this once again because it’s the season to apply for Seramount “best place to work” lists. (These are the annual employer lists formerly sponsored […]
Writing
Who Knew Trump Had Something To Teach Us?
I never even heard the term “fake news” until 2016. Although it rapidly became a Donald Trump rallying cry, cynically (and inaccurately) tied to respected and legitimate journalism, if you peer back through the dark mists of time you may recall that was not its initial meaning. Four years ago, it was used to describe […]
Blogging and Blogging Like I’m Running Out of Time
I’m not about to compare myself to Alexander Hamilton. Frankly, all I know of banking can be summed up in two little words: “Overdrawn? Again?” But there’s a recurring line in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s depiction of that particular founding father that I can relate to: …writing and writing, like you’re running out of time! After all, […]
In a Pandemic, Employee Communications Are More Important than Ever
Sometimes, communication can truly be a life or death concern. As local and national authorities struggle to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, and businesses tackle the myriad issues it raises on every front, good employee communications can fall by the wayside. Yet, what employees need more than anything right now is to know just what […]
The Language is Changing and It Matters–A Lot
It’s a tired truism that language changes all the time. Meanings change—sometimes, I think, for the worse: not that long ago, “disinterested” meant something completely different from “uninterested” (look it up!)—and I think English has suffered a loss with the melding of the two. But pedantic arguments aside, words do matter in the real world. […]
Three Things Jigsaw Puzzles Can Teach Us About Problem-Solving
I often keep a jigsaw puzzle going on a side table when I’m working. I’ve got a 1,500 piece one sitting here right now, just finished—after five months. Working on the puzzle is a calming exercise when I’m thinking, or on hold, or taking a breather as I transition from one project to the next. […]
