Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

Category: Working Matters

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #14


    All backs to the intruding executive.


    Karl Edwards

  • Loving Monday: Bring It

    loving_mondayFew things are more frustrating than the obvious oversights of those with whom we work. Even more frustrating is when those oversights, blind spots, or shortcomings are with those who have more power than us on the organizational chart.

    They create unworkable situations and then blame us for them not working out.

    We kick the wall, curse the gods, and accuse the incompetents around us of making our jobs impossible. Yes, we blame them right back.

    What if, though, you had eyes to see something that they were blind to? What if you had an ability or capacity that they did not have?

    What if they needed you to bring your eyes and ability to that problematic situation, and all you did was stand back and blame them for not being able to (more…)

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #13


    Awkward stares suggest vivid meeting dream.


    Karl Edwards

  • Loving Monday: Super Bowl XLV Hangover

    loving_mondayIt was a great game. An even better game if you were a Green Bay fan.

    The markets were jammed all morning. The roads were cluttered immediately after.

    And those of us watching the were enjoying family, friends and food with an abandon we seldom get to experience on most weekends.

    It was a great game.

    Now it’s Monday and we’re back at work… Sort of.

    Not really.

    No, not at all.

    We’re either still celebrating or still depressed.

    We could suggest something inane to the winners like, “Don’t gloat.” Or we could recommend something preposterous to the losers like, “Be good sports.”

    The fact of the matter is those of us who were rooting for Green Bay are going to be strutting and celebrating and rubbing it in every way imaginable.

    And those who were short-sighted enough to root for Pittsburgh are going to be glum, whining, making excuses, and otherwise going out of their way to be very unpleasant today.

    So how to get back to work? (more…)

  • Quote to Consider: Self-Competition

    quote-to-consider“Put yourself in competition with yourself each day. Each morning look back upon your work of yesterday and then try to beat it.”

    Charles M. Sheldon

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #12


    Inner blush over the backwards compliment.


    Karl Edwards

  • Quote to Consider: Selfish or Unselfish?

    quote-to-consider“A woman means by unselfishness chiefly taking trouble for others; a man means not giving trouble to others. Thus each sex regards the other as basically selfish.”

    C.S. Lewis

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #11


    Skeptical about the training retreat bribe.


    Karl Edwards

  • Loving Monday: Today You Must Growl

    loving_mondayEver get tired of being told to have a good attitude?

    You know it’s a good idea. But not today. You know attitude is important. But if one more person points that out to you, you’ll scream. Today you need to be in a bad mood. Today you can barely muster the energy to pick up a pencil. Today you must growl.

    The idea behind Loving Monday is not to superficially encourage us to put on a false front and pretend to be happier, more engaged, or more dedicated than we really are.

    On the other hand, when we are authentically tired, bored, or discouraged, the solution in not necessarily to act out those feelings all over everyone else.

    Are there any other options available than stuffing our emotions or giving in to them? Is there another way forward besides either wearing a mask at your own expense or spewing venom everywhere at everyone else’s expense?

    My thought is why not have some fun with it?

    Put a sign on your door that warns, “Grumpy soldier inside, enter at your own risk.” Or, “Tie a rope around your waist before descending into this pit of exhaustion, or you may get sucked down yourself.”

    Put a peace offering of treats near your desk as a humorous way to pre-pay for their forgiveness.

    By acknowledging that you’re in a bad space, you are letting people know ahead of time what they are about to experience! How different than being ambushed by someone’s bad mood! This frees them to be cautious and more sensitive to you.

    You also create a safe atmosphere for them to give the gift of encouragement, compassion, and/or support to you on a difficult day.

    In the long term, you’ll have a better chance of returning to a more engaged, enthusiastic attitude sooner if you are honest about how far away from that attitude you are right now.

    How do you deal with a bad start to the week when you’re tired, overwhelmed or down?

    On your side,

    – Karl Edwards

    Loving Monday is a weekly column designed to encourage us to step into our weeks with an intention to show up authentically, engage fully, and choose to make it a good week for ourselves. Explore past columns here.

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #10


    Difficult to sell an excuse factory.


    Karl Edwards