I have spent 17 years (and change) managing people. I have been an abysmal failure at times, but now I feel that after a couple of decades, I’m pretty decent at it.

When do you actually feel like you’re really great at something and other people will agree anyway? So, pretty decent makes me feel, pretty good. 🙂 

When I was a Talent Agent back in the day, I worked alone. But then when I started to grow my media company, I wasn’t always the most tactful in handling people. And to be fair to myself, I’ve actually had some real doozy of excuses from people who couldn’t make it to work. That stressed me out even more. Then I’d have to work for them, and get all of my management and administrative tasks done too, while mothering and running a household.

I mean, how do you handle someone who calls you screaming, “I’m bleeding!”? (They were calling in sick because they just broke their coffee pot and cut themselves. I’d scream the same thing, had I just broken my coffee pot and not injured myself!)

The point is, it takes some patience and people skills to deal with everyday small t traumas and real big T traumas. Sometimes those spill on to us managers and we have to know when to keep quiet and not respond, or to respond, but in the kindest way possible. Mostly I’m doing that for myself, so I can look back and be proud of my behavior instead of thinking, dayum – I could have handled that one differently.

I’m also pretty thankful for my personal mindfulness and physical fitness practices that keep me going day to day. And mostly for a team I have built after now knowing pretty early on into a relationship, if it just won’t work.

Hey, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk! (Hah! I’ve always wanted to use that line 😉.)