Live Life as an Experiment
by Peter on August 17, 2010
in Harvard Business
It was an experiment. I was returning an item to the store from which I had bought it. The item was well within the return period, but there would be a 20% restocking fee. Could I evade that fee? What would I have to do or say to persuade them not to charge it to me?
Read more..The Best Way to Handle a Power Struggle
by Peter on August 9, 2010
in Harvard Business
My flight from New York to Paris was delayed — maybe it would be canceled — and the passengers at the gate were frustrated. Most were sitting quietly in their frustration, periodically looking up at the screen and mumbling the things that people mumble when they feel annoyed but powerless like, "we're never gonna get out of here!" and "can you believe this?"
Read more..Don’t Regret Working Too Hard
by Peter on July 30, 2010
in Harvard Business
I was lying in bed, safely reading a magazine, when the fear arose. It started somewhere between my stomach and my chest, and it radiated outward. Like adrenaline coursing through my body after a sudden fright, it was a physical sensation, but it felt slower, deeper, wider, as it radiated to the tops of my arms and legs. It felt hot. I started to sweat. My body felt weak.
Read more..How to Avoid (and Quickly Recover from) Misunderstandings
by Peter on July 21, 2010
in Harvard Business
To be fair to me, I was pretty focused at the time, working in my office on an article. When my wife called my name, I really didn't want to be interrupted.
Read more..The Farm-to-Table Secret to Motivating People
by Peter on July 15, 2010
in Harvard Business
The kitchen was a complete mess. I tried to clean the utensils and machines right after I used them but I couldn't keep up with my own cooking frenzy.
Read more..Why Friends Matter at Work and in Life
by Peter on July 1, 2010
in Harvard Business
Susan Harrison, my mother in law, died several months ago after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Like most of us, she was not famous. If you didn't know her you probably didn't know of her. She lived in the relatively small community of Savannah, Georgia.
Read more..Why I Returned My iPad
by Peter on June 16, 2010
in Harvard Business
A little more than a week after buying the iPad, I returned it to Apple. The problem wasn't the iPad exactly, though it has some flaws. The problem was me.
Read more..The No-Drama Rule of Management
by Peter on June 10, 2010
in Business Week, Harvard Business
I lay back in the chair, closed my eyes, and almost immediately felt my body relax. An instant later a stream of warm water rinsed through my hair while strong, competent hands massaged my scalp. For that moment my stress disappeared, washed away with the water.
Read more..A Ritual to Help You Keep Your Focus and Your Temper
by Peter on June 2, 2010
in Harvard Business
John McCaffrey* is a great guy. The CEO of a professional services firm, he's been successful by any measure. He's financially secure. He's happily married with several children. He's active in his religious community. He's smart, well read, reasonable, and likable. He's the kind of guy you'd enjoy talking with at a dinner party.
Read more..How (and Why) to Stop Multitasking
by Peter on May 20, 2010
in Harvard Business
During a conference call with the executive committee of a nonprofit board on which I sit, I decided to send an email to a client.
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