Quote of the Day

Perfect happiness is the absence of striving for happiness.

- Chuang-Tzu

Contrasts

Iron Butterfly with, well, you know what.

Nat King Cole with "When I Fall in Love."

Eclecticity: Five Big Ones

Belated but enthusiastic congratulations to the famous E of Eclecticity on his successful completion of five years of extraordinary blogging.

Every day I read his blog and ask, "Where does he find this stuff?" Truly eclectic.

Murals and Much More

Check out the artist who does those murals at Barnes & Noble and Starbucks.

Criticizing the Boss

Elizabeth Garone has an article on how to criticize your boss nicely. Much depends upon how healthy the relationship is in the first place, but unless it is a major issue, my advice would be simple: Don't do it unless the matter is truly important.

For example, if the boss overuses certain phrases, is that a mannerism that people have grown to accept and in the general scheme of things is pretty minor or is it going to harm the organization? I've worked for some nice bosses and yet most of them would have bridled at any direct criticism from a team member. The indirect approach may work but it is common to see people who can hear an exact example of their poor conduct and conclude it doesn't apply to them. Proceed with caution if you proceed at all.

Press Pass

Victor Davis Hanson examines presidential leadership and the media.

A Step Not to Miss

The always excellent Wally Bock on an action that those of us who are impatient need to remember. Overlook it at your peril.

Quote of the Day

Human nature is largely something that has to be overcome.

- Rita Rudner

A Good Night

This evening: I've sent off two training/coaching proposals. Answered a slew of e-mails. Have written some blog posts. Completed a draft of a customized EEO briefing for a client. Talked to my son. Organized materials and packed a briefcase for this week's Avoiding Common Management Mistakes class. Graded a business law final. Checked on some marketing ideas for my e-books on Kindle. Got a blank check from my wife so I can pay a small bookseller in Benson who, when I asked if they took credit cards, handed me a book and said, "Here's my address. Just send me a check later." Retrieved a new draft for a class on the role of associates that will be reviewed again tomorrow. Read Nicholas Bate's blog and the notice of his new book. (The man never sleeps.) Am now listening to Anonymous 4's 11,000 Virgins CD. Will read a chapter of a book on bureaucracy and then go to bed. Still thinking. Hmm. Where's that NyQuil?

Work Lessons

One of the reasons why Cultural Offering is a great blog.