Kristin's Blog
What versus Why
It is not always easy to get to the bottom of what is causing issues, obstacles, and road blocks to our progress whether this be personal or professional, individually or collectively. The natural questions typically start with ‘why.’ Why did you do this? Why are you under quota? Why is your team not making their goals? Ironically,…
Virtues of the Self-Employed
As many know and experience in today’s economy, being self-employed is growing increasingly difficult. However, it is critical that we realize when it comes to the economy, the self-employed contribute a huge proportion. In fact, it is estimated that there are 23 million self-employed businesses in the United States, which represent 80% of the small…
Salient Points from Mark Cuban
I recently read a short yet powerful synopsis of an interview with Mark Cuban in CRN, Computer Reseller News. We all know of his remarkable success of selling Broadcast.com for billions and his future successes with the Dallas Mavericks and other diverse interests. There are a few golden nuggets from Mark relative to his road…
Succession Planning - a lost art?
For years I have watched with equal doses of horror and awe while many of the world’s most respected and successful companies continue to make interesting choices for the head job of CEO. Specifically, today, I am referring to Hewlett-Packard, and their most recent choice to appoint another outsider to lead the company. This is…
Self-Awareness - the Secret?
As many of you know, the New York Times column, ‘Corner Office’ is a favorite of mine. This past week, Paul Maritz, president and C.E.O. of the software firm VMware, was interviewed by Adam Bryant. Does your team have the Four Essential Types? is meaty, yet almost misleading; as one of the most powerful statements Paul makes is relative…
For and With
One word can make all the difference. Have you ever had someone introduce you with the phrase: “He works for me?” How does it make you feel? Smaller? Subordinate? As if you are their pawn? Then think about a time when someone introduced you with: “He works with me.” How does that make you feel? On a…
Exploration of Our Quest for Individual Alignment
In this podcast, we explore more fully ideas to become “aligned as an individual.” It’s really quite simple. We must know ourselves, then have the courage to be ourselves, which opens the pathway to give of ourselves.
Praise versus Flattery
Recently I have been working with a client who has a hard time giving out compliments. He believes that when his employees do a good job – it is just that: their job. He has been reluctant to hand our ‘atta boys’ for what he considers their daily responsibilities. The feedback from his team was less…
Humility is Strength
A client of mine called my attention to a marvelous article in last week’s Dallas Morning News business section. The article was highlighting Clayton M. Christensen, Harvard Business School professor, and his set of guidelines which have helped him find meaning and success in life. The article is worth reading, as the wisdom is not…
Partners Behaving Badly
Last month’s CRN report, which is a periodical which provides technology news and updates for technology providers, had a startling article on how Value Added Resellers (VAR’s) are breaching ethics as a standard operating procedure to win deals in this highly competitive business environment. We have all known of individiuals (and some companies) who endorse and…