Elegant laws of faith and physics link the mysteries of the universe to the banality of human behavior. For instance, they explain why I find it so hard to keep my desk neat, my body thin, and my business profitable. If I shake a jar containing green and red marbles arranged in alternating layers, they...
Sandy is a generous tipper. After a restaurant meal, you can count on her to leave not only money for the waiter but also a smile and a word of appreciation. Her sensitivity was developed the summer that she waited tables earning money for college. When my own children attend a lecture or class at...
Is it just me, or do some of you also cringe when you see ads for pet food where the cat or dog looks soulfully into the camera and says something along the lines of, “Mom, this food will keep me healthy and strong. Will you buy it for me?” Mom? When did pet owners...
As a youngster who loved woodwork, I remember once announcing to my mother that I was about to build her a spice rack. After a few hours of sawing and gluing, I realized it looked more like a doll house so I asked mom if she’d mind having a doll house instead. It later became...
Have you ever found yourself yelling into the telephone? You are trying to resolve a problem or update some data when you get lost in the automated phone labyrinth. When I hear myself shouting at top volume, “I said ‘speak to agent’” I know it is time to hang up. Right now, automated answering devices...
A few years ago, a large construction company was uneasy about having to change managers in the middle of an important project. They consulted me after they placed Jennifer in charge of developing the new financial controls system. I soon discovered that though she was familiar with the work plan and project definition, she was...
“Gentlemen chew with their mouths closed.” “Gentlemen don’t interrupt other people when they are talking.” My four and five year old grandsons are giving me a rundown on their “gentlemen lessons” Their father, an authentic southern gentleman, imparts these bits of wisdom at the supper table. While the boys may not always live up to...
James Bond knew it. Sherlock Holmes knew it. Even Lieutenant Columbo on the NBC show from the 70’s knew it. There are no coincidences in life. If these famous agents and detectives repeatedly spotted someone in their vicinity, they were being followed. If the same gun was used at separate crime scenes, the crimes were...
Have you seen those “Where are they now?” notices on your computer? They refer to the cast of a TV show that has been off the air for a while. If you are avoiding work you can spend too many minutes catching up on the lives of people about whom you would otherwise never think....
I had lunch the other month with a powerful group of women. Around the table sat a highly intelligent and accomplished bunch made up of small business owners, executives, and/or entrepreneurs. I didn’t meet these women through a business organization or college alumnae program. We actually met many years ago, when...
