Hard Truths

No office affair is secret. Sometimes even the biggest whiners have valid complaints. The smartest person in the room is not always the best person for the job. There are people who beg to be fired. At some lofty levels, the most superficial solutions are hugely attractive. When high quality is combined with the lowest price, it dooms a proposal. Most oral boards are poorly trained. "Other duties as assigned" often constitutes 80 percent of the job. Few people could fulfill their entire job description. The greatest hostility toward employees can be found in human resources departments. Choosing areas of ignorance can be as important as choosing areas of expertise. There are individuals who have three years of experience 10 times over. If it weren't for the restrictions on interview questions, we could learn a lot about applicants. It is shocking how quickly the power structure can change. All weasels manage to have admirers. One of the most revealing things about people is the behavior they excuse. You need to watch where you invest your time. A poor ally can be more dangerous than a skilled adversary. Words must be weighed. Learning about people is a lifetime occupation. Goals require periodic affirmation. You can't do it all.