📧 PivotList: The Worst Week of My Career
Hi Friends,
I started to title this newsletter “the worst week of my career as a manager,” but quickly deleted the last bit. It was simply the worst week, period — at least to date.
It was 2008. I had just been promoted to team lead at Google, my first time as a people manager, at twenty-four years old. Everyone on my team was older than me and had been at the company longer than me, so the first few months were already rocky. Who the hell was I to be managing them?!
Then, as the recession hit, our new Director pulled me into his office. “I need you to lay off half of your team,” he said.
My stomach fell through the floor. I started crying. There must be another way, I pleaded. These were cherished team members, longtime Googlers, the people who had mentored me when I joined.
“This is business,” he said. “It’s what needs to be done.”
I didn’t have the courage to give them the news. So my manager, their skip level, did it for me as I sat sheepishly behind him in the small conference rooms for each of the three conversations. He delivered the news clearly and with compassion, yet almost stoically; HR and legal would have been pleased.
I remember feeling awed by the fact that he could utter the words at all. I didn’t have the heart to do it, and couldn’t imagine I ever would. As he slid the termination letter across the table in their direction, I remember the looks of shock, dismay, and betrayal slowly registering on each of my (now former) team member’s faces.
To this day, he is one of the best managers I have ever had. He wasn’t afraid to deliver tough feedback to help us grow. He had courage. It’s something I’m still learning.
In terms of energy-strengths, it probably gives him energy to have these crucial, fierce conversations. For me, no matter how much I try, they still make me want to curl into a fetal position and take a nap. How about you?
We’ll explore courage in more depth today, but first a few announcements . . .
✍️ Aspiring Writers: New Rules Studio Open House Thurs.
“What if writing just felt…easier? And—what if you had a place to do it that was critic-free, judgment-free, competition-free?”
My friend Terri Trespicio, who graciously emceed the Free Time book launch party, has been practicing the Gateless Method of writing for over a decade. In the last year, she created a brilliant writing community around it, where you can drop into multiple sessions each week to support you in whatever projects you’re working on. Learn more and join for the free open house coming up on Thursday — I’ll see you there!
🍁 Fall Voxer Coaching: I would love to work with you 1:1!
I’m opening up a few special spots for a two-month 1:1 Voxer coaching program this Fall, thus steering clear of the holidays :)
This might be perfect timing if you are looking for a boost as you reflect on 2024 and set your career strategy for 2025. I would be delighted to be a sounding board to help talk through a pivot in progress or brainstorm a big creative project.
If that sounds like just what you need, I would love for you to join me in this special round of 1:1 Voxer coaching!
🎟️ Enrollment is now open through October 13 or when the five spots fill (whichever comes first), and we begin on Monday, October 14.
Now back to our Strengthscope series on energy-strengths. So far, we have explored collaboration, common sense, and compassion. Let’s now take a closer look at courage . . .
💪 Strengthscope Deep Dive: Courage
Is courage an energizer or a drainer for you?
Scenario: True or False: you often feel compelled to be the person who speaks up to say that thing no one else wants to say.
🔋 If courage energizes you, your mantra might be, “speak up” or “do the hard thing.” You take on challenges and face risks by standing up for what you believe.
Who annoys you: People who avoid taking risks, following a more cautious and restrained path. They back down easily, avoiding confrontation and challenges.
Who is annoyed by you: People who are more cautious may see you as someone who takes on unnecessarily high levels of risk and challenge. They may perceive you as reckless, overly direct, or extreme in defending your beliefs.
🥵 When in overdrive: You may readily take on risky positions and challenges that have a high probability of failure. You may be perceived as reckless or extreme in defending your beliefs. Beware of being overly confrontational and/or stubborn without cause.
Self-check by asking: My Courage energizer makes me feel like I need to always speak my mind. In this situation, do we need another angle on this topic?
🪫 If courage is a drainer for you: People who speak their mind too freely and don't consider the negative impact.
Reframe it by reflecting: Which energizers could help me speak up more?
📊 Get to Know Your Significant Seven Energy-Strengths
If you found this helpful and want to dive deeper into the 24 energy-strengths, including an assessment that will show your biggest energizers and drainers:
Individuals: Take the Strengthscope assessment and join us for a 90-minute Upgrade Your Energy workshop on December 5. Register here » (Paying subscribers: scroll down below the footer for your special extra-discounted link!)
Teams: If you work within an organization and have the budget to run this as an in-person half-day team-building workshop, we have two spots remaining this quarter and three open for Q1 2025. Learn more and inquire here »
📆 Upcoming Events for Paying Subscribers
🔗 The links to register are below the paywall in the footer of this email.
✍️ Write the Thing! First Wednesday of the next three months: Join us for the first co-working session on Wednesday, November 6, from 1pm ET to 1:45pm ET.
💻 Quarterly Office Hours — November 20: Ask me anything, connect with fellow Pivoters, and talk through your pivot-in-progress.
Want to join us? See the footer (below the paywall) for the link. Upgrade your membership here »
🎙 Related episodes from the Pivot archives
Although the podcast is paused, you can still browse the archives and subscribe here »
Want help exploring your biggest energy-strengths and how you can leverage them for your pivot-in-progress? Learn more and sign-up for Pivot coaching here »
That’s it for now . . . thank you for reading and listening!
❤️ With Love,
P.S. Extra Goodies Over the Paywall Rainbow 🌈💰
🔐 Thank you to our generous paying subscribers who help sustain PivotList!
Upgrade to unlock this week’s bonuses as a token of my gratitude :)
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