We all believe that communication is the key to all good relationships, whether these are of a personal or business nature. Lately, when I’ve been told that “there’s a memo on that” or asked “have you read the manual,” I am reminded that there is also the type of communication that signals that something dysfunctional is going
An Interview Question on a Mission
If you are going for a leadership role in the Business Services section of a school district, you are probably going to be asked something like the following in an interview. If we hire you into this role, how will you advance the mission of the school district? Not Recommended: You created this position so I don’t have to tell
How Can I Talk to You About School Spending?
There are always a few diehard policy wonks and spending watchdogs at school board meetings. District staff know their names. We greet them with a polite nod and sometimes stop for a brief chat. In a larger district you’ll see the occasional print reporter recording and taking notes. Every now and then a television crew will show up to get
Reasons, Excuses, Rationalizations
My mother recently had a fence replaced. The “Fence Guy” was a self-employed franchisee for a national chain. When he did not show up on the appointed day my mother left three unreturned messages before complaining to the franchisor. Fence Guy eventually called back and said he was behind and he would be there in three weeks.
The Turquoise Cat
I once worked with a woman who claimed that she owned a turquoise cat. She couldn’t understand the amazement and disbelief that she encountered whenever she said it. Eventually, one skeptical acquaintance visited her at home. “Um, isn’t your cat tortoiseshell?” “Yes, why?” “Well you’ve been telling everyone it is turquoise.” The moral of the story