Micro-Retirement and NUA: “Garbage Language” in the Workplace

I wonder if you saw Fast Company’s recent piece on the Gen Z trend of “Micro-Retirement,” and if so, I wonder if you had the same reaction to it that so many others did to one particular piece. “Micro-retirements involve taking a one to two-week break from work every 12 to 18 months,” the pieceContinue reading “Micro-Retirement and NUA: “Garbage Language” in the Workplace”

Know any Seagull Managers?

As we experience record high temperatures this summer in the Northern hemisphere, you may be thinking less about the office and more about the beach; less about work and more about relaxing in the sun, sand and water. We hope you have structures in place to be able to take a full break from workContinue reading “Know any Seagull Managers?”

How to Work with a Difficult Colleague

Many things can contribute to work being challenging, but most of us have had at least one experience where the people you work with make or break your experience. Sometimes a coworker or manager can really add to your experience and you’re grateful to be working with them – if so, great! Other times youContinue reading “How to Work with a Difficult Colleague”

Translation, Reliance, and Gratitude

Image adapted from Jackson Simmer / Unsplash. Recently I had the privilege of co-leading a day-long program for immigrant families from Central and South America. The program was designed as a day of respite and fun during turbulent times, with team building and collaborative problem solving as key focus points, and a 40-foot rock climbingContinue reading “Translation, Reliance, and Gratitude”

“I Wonder…”

Photo credit: Brad Switzer / Unsplash How often have you been involved in a conversation where someone (perhaps you) moves quickly to problem-solving, and in doing so, they treat the presenting symptoms of the situation while missing the underlying cause of the problem? You might even find that in many cases you’re rewarded for comingContinue reading ““I Wonder…””

Stop, Collaborate and Listen

In recognition of the July 4th holiday here in the US, Building Bridges Leadership is taking a few days off, but you may want to read our now-traditional early-July article, How Is Your Team Like a Fireworks Display?, or alternatively revisit the post below, originally posted in early July, 2020, with slight updates below. Re-readingContinue reading “Stop, Collaborate and Listen”

Mentoring Summer Interns, and Finding a New Mentor or Mentee for Yourself

As Summer quickly approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, your organization may be planning to bring on some interns for the season. Internships can provide incredible hands-on learning opportunities for young people looking to enter a field of work. Interns also bring value to the organization through their labor, their unique perspectives and lived experiences, andContinue reading “Mentoring Summer Interns, and Finding a New Mentor or Mentee for Yourself”

What is “Good Work”?

With economic upheaval, tariffs, and government cuts, I wonder how many people you know currently looking for work? I know at least a handful – maybe more. On the back of Covid’s ‘giant game of musical chairs’, huge numbers of workers have left or changed their jobs in the past five years. Perhaps you’re even one ofContinue reading “What is “Good Work”?”

A Moment of Rudeness

There’s a moment I think about almost every day, which I’ve never told anyone. In some ways it’s a small everyday moment, and I don’t like to think about it much – but it comes to mind often as I’m interacting with other people, and I find it both confronting and helpful, personally and professionally.Continue reading “A Moment of Rudeness”

The Sound of Silence: The Value of a Simple Pause

“And in the naked light I saw / Ten thousand people, maybe more / People talking without speaking / People hearing without listening / People writing songs that voices never share / No one dared disturb the sound of silence” – The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon In turbulentContinue reading “The Sound of Silence: The Value of a Simple Pause”