Key Takeaways: Life tends to magnetize the energy we emit, so if your mind is spinning in “crazy” territory—frenzied, anxious, or chaotic—you can expect more of the same to show up in your life. Reality-TV drama teaches us something real: drama is not a natural magnet—casting directors chase...
Guest Author
Captain Obvious Gets A Lesson in Empathy
Key Takeaways: Empathy — Recognizing that stating the obvious might sting, Mary models curiosity and care over critique, inviting us to see what’s really behind someone’s choice before we comment. She reminds us that pointing out what everyone “should do” can feel like a personal attack, even when...
Confessions of a Reluctant Feminist: My Role In Perpetuating Workplace Discrimination
Key Takeaways: Workplace discrimination is a mirror, not a point of blame—when we acknowledge our own contributions to the everyday dynamics, we open a curious, compassionate pathway to change. It takes bravery to notice the moments when we default to the systemic script—whether it’s staying...
Women’s Equality: Blame Won’t Get Us There
Key Takeaways: Equality can’t thrive in a culture of blame; shifting from fault-finding to shared responsibility creates space for growth and understanding. Equality is more complex than just fixing individual bias—it lives in the intersection of beliefs, systems, behaviors, and culture, and must...
Negotiation Tactics to Land a Win-Win Deal
Key Takeaways: “Negotiation tactics” aren’t about winning at someone else’s expense—they’re about discovering the solution nobody expected but both of you can smile about. (Inspired by Dana’s emphasis on "surprise win-wins." A powerful negotiation begins with curiosity—ask yourself what’s really...
My Wish List for Senior Executives
Key Takeaways: As a senior executive, simply telling yourself you listen isn’t enough—true leadership begins with patient listening that deeply seeks to learn and understand, not just solve. In our rush and multitasking world, the best of us fall prey to distraction—our devices seduce us into...
Dear Dana Interview Advice: Am I More Than What I Do?
Key Takeaways: “Interview advice”: before you even schedule a conversation, ask yourself whether it’s worth the time—for you and for them—because preparing for and attending an interview takes focus, time, and energy. Doing an interview you don’t intend to take can unexpectedly boost your...
Sanity Challenge: Powerful Bosses Don’t Listen
Key Takeaways: “Bosses don’t listen” isn’t just your frustration—it’s a documented pattern: the more powerful the leader, the less likely they are to heed advice, and that growing infallibility makes everyone anxious and decision‑making worse. Too much deference to a boss’s power can disguise...
Managers: Are You Ready to Hire Bots onto Your Teams?
Key Takeaways: The robots are coming Whether they’re steel, software, or smart algorithms, robots are already reshaping white‑collar roles—and middle managers must begin preparing now for a future where machines handle analysis, prediction, and many decision‑making tasks. Robots don’t eliminate...
Working Mother Advice: Back-to-School Tips & Tricks – Part 2
Key Takeaways: Working mother A relaxed “back‑to‑school meeting” with your kids a week or two before classes begin helps ease everyone into a new schedule—discussing bedtime shifts, lunch‑packing preferences, and new routines so the transition feels intentional, not surprising. Tackle shopping...








