Jo McDermott

Latest Posts

  • What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew Then

    I have a very clever friend, Deb Graham, founder of ACTStrategic.com, who recently wrote a great article.  She asked several women to tell her what they wish they had know at the beginning of their career, and then she synthesized it… Continue reading

  • A Note To Executives: You DON’T Know What Is Going On In Your Organization

    Dear Executives: I know you think you know what is going on in your organization.  I know you think you know who the super performers are and who the “C” players are.  I know you think you know the processes… Continue reading

  • Your ‘Tribes’ Are Important For Your Career Success

    What Are Your Tribes? Broncos, Seahawks.  Democrat, Republican.  Christian, Jew.  We belong to ‘Tribes.’  The correct definition of this is a social group that preceded the “state,” small in size.  The current use of the word is more of an… Continue reading

  • Do You Want To Start Your Own Business? Then Do It.

    Stop Planning.  Start Doing. I speak to a lot of people who want to start their own business.  I speak to lots of people who don’t start their own business.  There is only one difference between people who want to… Continue reading

  • Lessons From The Oklahoma City Thunder

    I admit with some embarrassment that I am a total, absolute, over-the-top OKC Thunder fan.  My family and friends are pretty incredulous about this—I’ve never shown any interest in sports that weren’t related to my children.  Ever.  Nevertheless, my move to… Continue reading

  • Twenty Years Ago

    Twenty years ago tomorrow the worst thing that I could ever imagine happened to me.  My husband died.  Twenty years provides great perspective.  When it happened, I couldn’t imagine surviving one year, let alone twenty years.  I was in shock… Continue reading

  • What If Today Were ‘The First Day’?

    As a consultant, I’ve had lots of first days.  I start with a company and I have an open mind about what the problems are and about what it will take to solve them.  I am excited and ambitious about what… Continue reading

  • Want To Have Some Fun?

    Have some fun with your LinkedIn Network.  Go to http://inmaps.linkedinlabs.com.  Log in with your email and LinkedIn password.  Once your network map has been created, roll your cursor over it.  It will call out a name in your network and… Continue reading

  • Do You Take Initiative?

    Duh.  I Know To Take The Initiative. You’ve heard that you should take initiative. Duh. But do you do it? Do you suggest ideas? Do you seek to improve the situation? Do you take action? Do you do it when… Continue reading

  • Do You Really Need A Mentor?

    Do You Need A Mentor? It’s common to hear that you need a mentor for career success.  Is that still true?  Yes. You need a mentor.  You need several.  Over the course of your career you need people who help… Continue reading