Let’s end the summer on a light note, as I want to talk about my new obsession, Pickleball. For those who have never heard of it, here is a brief history: Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were …
Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio? HR Needs a Hero
Baseball has started again. It is my favorite professional sport and although I am famously a Met fan, I want to talk about Joe DiMaggio, a NY Yankee, and heroes for a few minutes. HR needs a hero to look up to, I believe. These are difficult and odd times for all of us. Professional sports led the way with …
Teamwork Tips for Competitive Types (Like Me)
I’m competitive. I always have been. Sometimes individually and other times as part of a team, but I thrive in competitive environments. Some of my passion for competitiveness likely came from my upbringing. But there is also something in my DNA, for sure. Born or bred, I’m more competitive than most. As you might imagine, because of my competitiveness sports has always …
Duck Season, Wabbit Season, Conference Season, and March Madness: Part 2
Yes, it is time for March Madness. Spring is definitely in the air. About this time last year, I departed from my political and assertive writing to do a mash-up of topics impacting the HR and Talent community. Well, It’s time for a “Part 2,” so hold on to your hats and college basketball draw sheets, here we go! First, …
The Ball Is In Our Court
This isn’t a post about women vs. men. Nor is it about the color of someone’s skin or ethnic background. It’s not even really about tennis. This is a post about teaching moments, and how frequently they seem to occur (and blur) in our professional and personal lives. The U.S. Open Women’s Championship match was one of those moments. As …
You Dropped the Ball
My painful summer of 2018 as a Met fan is highlighted by their shortstop dropping the ball after colliding with an outfielder in the 13th inning of a meaningless game against the San Francisco Giants. Or was it meaningless? Having spent 2 weeks this past month watching Little Leaguers on ESPN leading up to the Little League World Series, I …
LeBron, Amazon, and Leaving Your PowerPoints At Home – Business Lessons For All Of Us.
LeBron James was the most valuable basketball free agent in the universe, and his signing with the Lakers over the weekend changed the landscape of professional sports. Deadspin recently published an article about his unique approach to his free agency this year, and there are valuable B2B business development lessons that all of us can learn from King James. “James …
HR In The New World Of Work – Through The Lens Of A Customer
Nike has been in the headlines lately. Emerging from those headlines is the story of a significant loss of opportunity within a key segment of Nike’s customers. Nike is the biggest sports footwear and apparel company in the world, commanding $34.4 billion in revenue last year. And yet Nike’s women’s business made up only about a fifth of the total business. …
Why Businesses Should Do An Opening Day Every Year
Yes, I am a diehard baseball fan. And the best day of the year, hands down is Opening Day. Last Thursday was Opening Day for most teams in Major League Baseball and I bet many of you tuned in to watch or listen if you weren’t at the ballpark. Talent and HR executives can learn some valuable lessons from Opening Day and …
Duck Season, Wabbit Season, Conference Season and March Madness
Unlike most of my posts, this one is a mixed bag with multiple topics. First, it’s conference season for the talent community as there is a smorgasbord of offerings and some cool places to travel to. Austin, Vegas, San Diego, and later this year Chicago. Let’s not forget some overseas offerings as well. Big, small, and everything in between. For …