Most people live in an “or” world. Whether we like it or not, we think in terms of always having to choose between two or more options or paths, rather than thinking in terms of “and”. I was reminded of this when hearing the CFO of Eli Lilly, Derica Rice, speak to a group of college students who have received scholarships he and his wife fund. He told them that he always thought in terms of “or”. I can have this career “or” that, but not both. I can have this life “or” this one, but not both. But
Returning home from the HR Tech Conference proved to be a challenge when it came to weighing our bags. One bag weighed too much. How did this happen? It wasn’t that way coming. It was all the swag from vendors! I was impressed by the vendors’ creativity in designing their gifts. I didn’t even have to buy a souvenir for my kids. I snagged a backpack for my son, nail polish (bright purple and pink, no less) for my daughter and a coloring book and colored pencils for them both. I got a monogrammed luggage tag for me, a personalized
I was 24, interviewing for a job in economic development, of which I knew almost nothing about. Moving because of my husband’s job prompted me to start looking in my hometown, and an indirect connection had landed my résumé on the President’s desk. Through conversations with the President, I felt like this interview was just the last step before they would hire me. The board chair was there. I knew him, but not well. He was the mayor of our town when I was growing up. I never will forget what he said to me. “You know, economic development has always been a man’s job.”
I’m in route to Las Vegas for the HR Technology Conference. As I travel, I’m mindful of the tragic events of last weekend, and I am prayerful for all those who have experienced such senseless loss. But not traveling to this conference, and any other act of ceasing to live life because of the terrible acts of another, seems tragic too. So as I head out to this conference that I think could be an impetus for us to shift our business direction, I have prepared to maximize its benefit. Here’s seven steps I’ve taken, and that anyone can take,
I distinctly remember the first time I knew I lived in a bubble. I was 17- a junior in high school. I had two elective slots open. For one, I decided to be a science lab assistant that didn’t require much work. This allowed me to walk across the street one day a week to spend time with an at-risk elementary student as her mentor. Up until that point in my life, I thought most people lived like me. Some had more and some had less but I didn’t think there were drastic differences. As I got to know this