Archive - Diamond Pencils

Can you say more about that

“Often I will carry a conversation back to details a client provided but then rushed past.

Jul 29, 2024 •

The most important thing you can do to avoid misjudging something’s importance is to avoid lonely numbers.

Jul 21, 2024 •

Why do managers get paid more (and what to do about it)

Because we’re dopamine-seeking creatures and we love making progress, your career has probably included some moment where you wanted to go into…

Jul 14, 2024 •

How your team (and you) get more done in the same amount of time

The Creative Tack is not passive, it does not wait until an impasse is reached.

Jul 7, 2024 •

June 2024

Is career pathing…bullshit?

“Spot the comers on your staff, and plan their careers.

Jun 30, 2024 •

How to get promoted when you’re overworked

I got a text from my friend a few weeks ago: “My boss quit.

Jun 23, 2024 •

February 2024

How do you know what to do?

Before I was a meddling executive myself, I used to lose sleep over executive meddling.

Feb 12, 2024 •

November 2023

How (not) to present an idea

About 5 years ago I was so stressed at work that a blood vessel popped in my eye.

Nov 29, 2023 •

October 2023

The fundamental soft skills (but not the *most* obvious ones)

I started writing this newsletter because there are soft skills that nobody teaches you, and that will quickly become the limiting step on your career…

Oct 10, 2023 •

May 2023

Does your job title matter?

Yes. Obviously it does, in some ways.

May 9, 2023 •

April 2023

When do you need approval?

The City of Los Angeles has perhaps the clearest example of an approval process that was designed to fail.

Apr 24, 2023 •

Are you a task-solver or a problem-solver

“If you give a good idea to a mediocre team, they will screw it up.

Apr 18, 2023 •

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