Recent Blog Articles

The Responsibility Paradox - Clear and Open

The Responsibility Paradox

I know you want more time. And everybody wants time management tips, and they can help a little. But can you muster the strength and courage to look at the root issue? I think you can. The relationship between time management and responsibility is not often talked about, but it’s the link that is the…

Read more
Why You Don’t Have Time For This - Clear and Open

Why You Don’t Have Time For This

“I don’t have time.” You hear it every day. Maybe you say it yourself. We talk about the scarcity of time as often as we do the weather. You can’t change the weather. But can you get more time with time management skills? Invest a bit more time reading, and you’ll discover that you can….…

Read more
Why? Do I Have To? - Clear and Open

Why? Do I Have To?

When is it okay to question authority? It’s a question that causes a lot of confusion in a business culture. There’s a core belief that’s hard to shake: the idea that you “have” to do whatever your boss tells you. Any manager will say they’d love it if their employees took on more responsibility. Some…

Read more
More Orcs Is Not The Answer - Clear and Open

More Orcs Is Not The Answer

Gothmog, the pig-headed orc general from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, hires a Clear and Open Mentor following Mordor’s defeat depicted in the final film. Gothmog: “I hope you’ll understand I’m a little grouchier than usual.” Mentor: “Of course, that was a huge loss for your team. Understandable that you’d be upset.” “It’s just…

Read more
The Sun Still Shines - Employee Mentoring - Clear and Open

The Culture Awakens: Darth Vader Meets With Human Resources

Somewhere between the scenes of The Empire Strikes Back, the empire’s vice president of human resources invites Darth Vader to a private meeting to discuss his management style. VP of HR: “Hello, Mr. Vader, thanks for coming, please sit down.” Darth Vader: “I accepted your meeting not knowing what this was about, and this is…

Read more