For the record: “Time of the Season” is one of my favorite rock songs of all time. But this one is just so sweet. One more song in honor of the new year.
Bing Crosby’s ability to look in the mirror
You can probably tell we take Christmas pretty seriously around here at Hip Socket. Frequent celebrations mean infrequent posts. To illustrate: My wife’s birthday is around Halloween. When that’s over, it’s Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas and New Year’s. And … within a 30-day window … every single child’s birthday. Every. Single. Child. Which explains our annual Christmas trip to Cincinnati. (Pro …
A “personality test” helps your team–even if you don’t believe in them
If you’ve ever taken one of those “personality tests” and thought, “I think any of these options describes me!” this post is for you. Here’s the Reader’s Digest version: You are at least partly right. But going through the exercise can be crucial for trust, teamwork and engagement in your workplace. 4 types First, a quick review of the DISC …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: I Can’t Wait
Suicide has touched my world several times this year. I also have learned of families I know that are falling apart. Friends have told me how hopeful they had been about a fulfilling aspect of their work, only to see their employers mess it up by treating people like pawns, or by politicizing the work. And finally, I had a …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Indian Giver
Horn Sections Make Rock Better, Christmas Edition: If keeping this blog has taught me anything, it’s that the Squirrel Nut Zippers are a huge influence in my life. (See song posts here, here and here … plus workplace ideas here, here and here.) I love the entire album, but this one really takes the cake. The crying that leads to …
The two questions that help you work with ANYBODY
“I can’t work with this person!” Have you ever found yourself saying this? What if there were two questions you could ask that would allow you to work with literally anybody? The basics In previous posts about the DISC model of behavior styles, I promised that there were two questions that can help you interact and work with others. A …
This Cuban has some perspective for you
If you haven’t seen it yet, you should: A Cuban immigrant receives his first paycheck, working hourly for UPS. The quote: I prefer that [the taxes taken out] than Fidel Castro. Fidel took everything. Communism took everything. … You know what? This is my first hourly paycheck. That I feel that every hour of work counts. That every hour is important in …
Advent: the Anti-Seinfeld and Anti-Friends
This may be the post that finally generates hate mail. In an effort to help you prepare your heart for Advent, I’m going to point out how two 1990s powerhouses got it wrong. There are two modern ways of looking at the world: Seinfeld or Friends. Two Mirrors The theme of Friends is summed up in its theme song: “I’ll be there …
How different industries are attracting skilled labor
The skilled labor shortage touches many industries. Here’s a perspective (a panel in video and article forms) from the custom integration industry. (I used to handle PR for panelist Paul Starkey’s previous firm.) What caught my attention: We have to operate out of an abundance mindset. If you think technicians (of whatever stripe) are scarce, you are desperate for anyone …
Horn Sections Make Rock Better: Blues for Baby Jesus
It has to be Christmas music now. Society has spoken. If you’re not ready, consider this something to squirrel away for holiday time. After all, it’s an entire album (of dixieland jazz). Many thanks to Robin for recommending this. An insurance company released it in 1972.