the break room: Recent Comments

Comment on Break the Instant Gratification Addiction

Michelle — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:42:10 GMT

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed...

Comment on Break the Instant Gratification Addiction

Cristina — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:50:05 GMT

Excellent entry Michelle!

Comment on Make a case to maximize employee volunteer efforts

Michelle — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:36:13 GMT

I know...it really helps, right? Here is a suggestion from Steelcase for a good chair for you: Leap Work Lounge & Ottoman. You can hardly go wrong with a name like that. I suggest completing a purhase requisition and heading to a nearby lounge for a cup of Joe to go.

Comment on Make a case to maximize employee volunteer efforts

Eric — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:42:21 GMT

Excellent piece.
I look forward to sharing my success stories and perspective after I've thought about it a bit.
Where's my coffee and comfortable chair?

Comment on Do the right thing

Michelle — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:29:12 GMT

I do think that sometimes we are asked to care about so many things that at some point, we become numb and just tune out everything except those things that impact us immediately. The problem with that approach is that in the end, we are all impacted in some way if we don't stand up for what we believe is right. It's like a slow coastal erosion. One day you get up and there is no beach left. Not to mention that being apathetic is, well... pathetic.

Keep holding to your truth. You never know when you can impact that "tipping point."

And after you have had your say? "Let go and Let God" as so many bumper stickers in South Louisiana proclaim... (so make sure you say it in that fabulous Cajun accent!)

Comment on Do the right thing

Kari — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:51:38 GMT

Great piece!
I've got another one for you. I've just returned from a meeting at my son's elementary school where next year they are piloting a program to provide all day kindergarten to everyone who would like it --sounds great! Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that this "opportunity" will cost families $3,000! Yes, that's right $3,000 for a public school. People who qualify for free lunch at the school (aka live in poverty) will go for free. I was shocked and appalled by this proposal. Paying for public school? People with disposable income being able to provide their kids with an opportunity that people in the middle class may not be able to provide. How is this remotely the right thing to do? The school said "everyone else is doing it"--this is not an argument I accept from my eight year old not to mention the school professionals trying to sell this program.
One of the most shocking pieces to me is how few people I've told have really cared. Some think "great! The former one all day class was only available by lottery...now I can buy my way in!" Somehow if it benefits the individual they stop thinking about the consequences. I could probably manage. My in-laws have even offered her a "scholarship." I could accept and provide my child with a benefit. But what about the woman sitting next to me at the meeting who was near tears as a single parent who is already on a strict budget, with student loans, increased gas and food prices...what about her? Does she have a family that will fund her public education or should she just be satisfied with the half day option and be quiet?
Many of my closest friends have tired of my constant discussion of this new proposal. Why is it hard to do the right thing? If it doesn't affect me than I don't care. If it benefits me than I really don't care. If I speak out against it nothing will change anyway. Those are about the top 3 I've heard.
This year I've written my first letters to my governor, my representatives, the school district and I spoke out against this program at the meeting tonight.
Did I do the right thing? Will it make a change? Yes and probably not. I will sleep better tonight. When I mailed those letters I felt good about my actions. Sitting back and feeling bad and hopeless is about the worst thing we can do. Maybe if more people felt inspired to think about the greater good and got together we could make a difference. Until then...ripples in the water.

Comment on Excuse me, but your solution is crowding my bin space

JBiggs — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 20:40:14 GMT

Nice blog :)
Thank you for your good content.
I 'm very enjoy reading it.

Comment on Are we there yet?

Eileen Hickey — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 09:10:30 GMT

Michelle,

Your blog never ceases to enlighten (and entertain) me. Thanks for the Project Management reminder - I'm going to save this for my next time I'm training someone on Project Mangement concepts....it's often missed but so important.

and, of course....Go Pats!!!

Comment on Are we there yet?

Michelle — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:12:02 GMT

Thanks David. I really like your network. It's a great resource and how wonderful to see the variety of people and approaches all working towards this valuable goal. I would encourage anyone interested in furthering the discussion of employee engagement to check it out.

Comment on Are we there yet?

David Zinger — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:23:04 GMT

Michelle,
I really liked your post and the whole focus of you blog. If you are interested in getting more involved in employee engagement I invite you to look at or join our network at: www.employeeengagement.ning.com. Enjoy the football, I hope you find Tim.
David