Soft skills

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: Isabel’s Determined Return to School

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I continue to be in awe of my older daughter, Isabel, as she tackles the challenges of recovering from her ACL surgery. This past week marked her return to school, which brought a whole new set of hurdles. With one leg locked in a straight brace and unable to bear weight, her determination has been nothing short of inspiring. ...  read more

How My Daughter’s ACL Surgery Taught Us Strength, Resilience, and Family Bonding

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I cried quietly in the front seat of the car. I didn’t want Isabel to see or hear me. In the back seat, she sang cheerfully along with the radio as her dad and I drove her to John Muir Hospital for knee surgery. We had been preparing for this day for two months, but it didn’t make it any easier. I’ve never broken a bone, let alone had surgery, so imagining what my 16-year-old was about to endure felt overwhelming.

We had done everything we could to prepare: found an excellent surgeon, scheduled the procedure to minimize impact on her schoolwork, stocked up on medications, and followed every pre-op instruction. Yet, I felt powerless. I wished I could take her pain away.

The Accident That Changed Everything

It all started with a fluke accident during a casual one-on-one street soccer scrimmage in early August. At first, the X-ray suggested she had simply tweaked her knee, and we expected her to be back at soccer practice in two months. But when the instability lingered, an MRI revealed the truth: a completely torn ACL and a possible meniscus tear. The diagnosis meant a four-hour surgery, two grueling weeks of recovery, three months on crutches, and a year before returning to soccer. ...  read more

Start 2025 Right: Must-Read Books on Money, Fitness, Life, and Family

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Happy New Year!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and meaningful moments. Here’s to a 2025 full of adventure, growth, and plenty of fun!

I know it’s been a while since my last post—I’ve missed connecting with you. Life had its own plans for me recently, involving unexpected work travel, my daughter’s knee surgery, and a health scare with excessive bleeding. But I’m back, and I’ll share more details in future posts. ...  read more

Three Unexpected Benefits from “Talking to the Duck”

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working partnership
In my role as the Digital Experience Strategy leader, I started working with a lot of new partners this year. At first, I spent hours explaining the context of the work ahead, sharing the intricacies of what we can do next together, and trying to align everyone on the vision. It was exhausting, and it felt like I was rehashing the same information over and over. But one day, about six months ago, something shifted. I was venting my frustration to a partner, saying how tiring it was to repeat myself, when they stopped me and said, “You know, there are benefits to ‘talking to the duck.’” The phrase made me pause. “Talking to the duck” is a playful reference to saying things out loud to get clarity. It turns out this approach with my partners has three unexpected benefits that go beyond simple updates. Here’s what I learned:

1. Getting My Partners Truly Up to Speed

When I take the time to explain the context of the work ahead, what we can do next together, and share my thoughts on challenges, my partners gradually start to see the whole picture. Yes, it can feel repetitive, but the process of “talking to the duck” builds a foundational understanding that goes deeper than a one-time briefing. My partners begin to connect the dots for themselves, anticipate what’s needed, and can even make informed decisions without waiting for me to spell things out each time. This understanding means they can proactively suggest solutions or spot potential issues sooner. ...  read more

How I’m Learning to Work with a Difficult Work Partner

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how to work with difficult partners

When you’re proactive, driven, and focused, there’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with someone who doesn’t share that same urgency. For me, this usually looks like poor communication, last-minute cancellations, or even a total lack of follow-through. I’ve been navigating this dynamic recently, and it’s tested my patience and taught me about letting go of what I can’t control. Here’s how I’ve been managing the situation and keeping my own sanity in the process. ...  read more

Turning a Sticky Work Situation Into an Opportunity: Jason’s Story

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I’ve known Jason for many years. Our relationship started with me acting as a mentor to him, guiding him in his career and communication style. Over time, we’ve grown into peers and friends, and I have come to admire the executive he has become. Nowadays, I learn as much from him as he does from me. Recently, Jason shared a story about how he handled a potentially sticky situation at work, and I think his approach was brilliant. I believe it’s something anyone can benefit from, which is why I’m sharing it here. ...  read more