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The first business trip
My First Business Trip My first business trip came only a few months into my first job. We were traveling to visit customers and suppliers in another country, in a large city. A short flight of about three hours. My manager was coming along, as well as another...
Office politics, or just emotional logistics?
Dear Meeting Room, Nobody likes to admit they’re playing the game. We tell ourselves we’re above it. That we’re just doing our job. But the truth is, office politics aren’t optional. They’re just there. Spoken or unspoken, subtle...
Do They Actually Care What I Say — or Just Pretend to?
Dear Meeting Room, Some days I walk out of a meeting and think, That went well.Other days, I leave wondering if anyone actually listened. Or if they just nodded politely until I stopped talking. Right now, I hold a senior position. Director-level. I lead, I decide, I...
Why Did That Email Keep Me Up at Night?
Dear Meeting Room, I’ve always been confident in my writing. Especially emails.I’m clear, professional, and usually get straight to the point.So why do I sometimes lie awake at night thinking,“Should I have written that differently?” It’s usually after I’ve sent...
Am I a good manager, or just afraid to be a bad one?
Dear Meeting Room, It’s strange how leadership sneaks up on you. One day you’re figuring out your own job, the next you’re responsible for someone else. Their success. Their frustrations. The 1:1s. Their Monday moods. And suddenly, it’s not just about being good at...
How do you talk to someone whose title intimidates you?
Dear Meeting Room, At the start of my career, I didn’t know the difference between respect and fear, at least not in a workplace setting. For me authority was a strange mix of admiration and anxiety. I wanted to be noticed, but not exposed. My first real boss didn’t...