I’m on the Board of Directors of a private school. There has been a long-standing issue involving the effectiveness of a top school administration official. The board is divided as to how to deal with this. Any suggestions? (more…)

I’m the head of HR at a medium size company of 350 employees. We conduct a great deal of technical training for our employees and I’m convinced that’s valuable and necessary. However, when it comes to "soft" training employees on interpersonal and leadership skills, I have a hard time seeing the value. We’ve tried a couple of lunch presentations but I didn’t see any long term use. How does that stuff add to the bottom line? (more…)

I work for a company that once upon a time had a leader with a vision and with a set of business priorities employees fully supported. The company has changed over the past several years under a new management that has brought in very expensive outsiders who overspend and play while valuable employees leave or are let go and raises for most are kept to a minimum. I think it’s become a mini version of TYCO. The attitude is "if you don’t like it, there’s the door". Employees are paranoid about speaking out and the climate has become dog-eat-dog. I have looked but the only jobs I can find are in other industries and/or for a much lower salary. I love what I do but worry it’s too risky to stay. Should I stay or go? (more…)

I am a 24 year old woman with a master’s degree in English literature. I’m currently managing a bookstore and contemplating going for my Ph.D. and teaching. My father owns a publishing and marketing company with about $15 million in revenues. My younger brother is 19 and a freshman in college. He says he has no idea what he wants to major in, except maybe partying. Our father is in his late 50’s and had a heart attack last year. Two weeks ago he asked me to come into the business and eventually run it. He feels confident I could do it with the help of management training and a mentoring program over the next 3 or 4 years. I know a great deal about the business having worked in it throughout my adolescence. I’m engaged to be married in six months to someone who is in the publishing industry. I haven’t mentioned it to him yet since I think he might see it as a good opportunity for us but I’m not sure that’s what I want to do. I feel selfish and scared. How should I be thinking about this? (more…)

I am the CEO and owner of a family business. I have been hoping to retire soon but I feel trapped. I have two sons in the business but they simply don’t get along. I have a daughter who doesn’t want any part of the company but I think she’s the smartest one. She has an MBA and runs a business twice as big as ours. My wife is putting pressure on me to sell the business and be done with it. I’m tempted to do it and move to Arizona. Suggestions? (more…)