Karl Edwards presents Working Matters

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  • If You Could Change One Thing About Yourself

    If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

    Given our focus here on Working Matters, let’s forego the things that are not related to work like our appearance; things that are beyond our scope like our personality; or things that our out of our control like our popularity.

    I know, I just eliminated the best categories. I’m sorry.

    I realize there are many good reasons to avoid change. I realize that muddling through with the status quo is often preferable to risking the unknowns that come with change.

    But, for the sake of argument, let me ask again… If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

    Is there a skill you want to learn? A capacity you would like to develop? An aspect of your working style that you would like to expand? An unhelpful (more…)

  • Loving Monday: Facing Hateful Duties With Grit and Grace

    loving_mondaySome tasks feel like we’re being tortured and mocked at the same time. Some of the things we have to do are truly hateful, and we wonder whether we’d rather walk barefoot across hot coals or lie unprotected on a bed of nails.

    Postponing these life-sucking responsibilities does little more than prolong the anticipated pain without eliminating the impending eventuality.

    What is one to do?

    I wish I could make a case for procrastination. I am certainly an expert.

    I wish I could make a case for blaming management. They certainly excel at mandating waste.

    I wish I could make a case for a positive attitude. It would be so simple if we could change reality by mere force of will.

    The fact is that our jobs, all jobs, have nasty components to them.

    How to face those nasty components with grit and grace becomes the issue.

    One tact might be to turn them into a personal challenge or contest. Create a (more…)

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #36


    Look busy! Hungry watchdog prowling nearby.

     

    Karl Edwards

  • Listen In -> Awkward Communication #2: The Time-Bomb

    Where did that come from?!

    She just exploded, seemingly out of nowhere, in a flood of harsh expletives.

    You’ve been skipping the Tuesday planning meetings for weeks now. You’ve been under a lot of pressure, and you needed the extra time to stay on top of demands.

    All these weeks your boss never said a word… that is, until today. And now the words are loud, angry and hurtful.

    What went wrong?

    In this week’s podcast discussion, Claudia and I discuss these ticking time-bombs.

    Some people quietly let misunderstandings, disappointments and problems simmer and stew until they eventually explode in an eruption of venomous fury.

    Is this you? Your boss? There are alternatives!

    Listen in.

    Just now joining the conversation? Catch up on the entire series here.

  • Quote to Consider: I Wonder Why

    quote-to-consider“God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another.”

    William Shakespeare

  • Thought Leaders Unpacked -> The Answer to How is Yes #4: Recapturing the Idealism of Youth

    thought-leadersWhere did the assumption come from? The one that asserts to be idealistic is to be unrealistic and impractical?

    Reform, for example, is an extremely grounded and practical outworking of idealism.

    The point, of course, is the one that Block makes in chapter four… that our culture casts accusatory aspersions on idealism that both trap people in the fallacious perspective that nothing is possible except what already exists and chip away at the confidence of those dreamers with the eyes to imagine and create all that might still be emerging.

    An unrepentant dreamer myself, the challenge of this chapter came in recognizing how many of the lies about dreamers I believe (whether I like to admit it or not.)

    I am often torn between what I want and what “I deserve.” Self-interest, as Block describes it, puts me in a fallacious battle over my worth with people and forces I haven’t met yet. The battle becomes a distraction making it difficult for me to recognize opportunities and directions that are deeply attractive and fitting.

    I can’t help wondering if I am one of those people who “abandon their desires (more…)

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #35


    Avoiding rejection by not requesting permission.

     

    Karl Edwards

  • Listen In -> Awkward Communication #1: Learning to Embrace Messy Realities

    Communication is a messy business.

    Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or trying to sell something.

    Yes, in a perfect world all communication would be clear, direct, concise, sensitive, and persuasive. But we do not live in a perfect world.

    Instead of wishing vainly that our communications were ideal (or at least our boss’s were), what if we approached communicating as a messier, more awkward dynamic?

    Claudia and I begin a new series this week entitled, “Awkward Communication”, where we explore several common communication styles.

    Maybe you’ll see glimpses of yourself in these dynamics. You’ll definitely see aspects of your boss and co-workers.

    More importantly, we hope you hear insights into why people slip into these ineffective practices and take away some alternatives that will serve you better.

    Awkward Communication
    Week #1: Learning to Embrace Messy Realities
    Week #2: The Time-Bomb
    Week #3: The Intimidator
    Week #4: The Nagger
    Week #5: The Diplomat

    Listen in.

  • Quote To Consider: What Do You Mean… Can’t?

    quote-to-consider“Progress results only from the fact that there are some men and women who refuse to believe that what they know to be right cannot be done.”

    Russell W. Davenport

  • Karl Shares Six Words… #34


    Found him hiding behind the budget.

     

    Karl Edwards