Jo McDermott

Career development

  • Reactions To My Discrimination Post

    Reactions to Reactions To My Discrimination Post I had readers respond to my Are They Discriminating Against You?  Probably. blog post in a couple of different ways.  First, one reader challenged me about “accepting” discrimination.  He believed that I should… Continue reading

  • Are They Discriminating Against You? Probably.

    Discrimination Not only is it likely that someone (or several someones) are discriminating against you, it is also likely that you are discriminating against someone (or several someones).  It is human nature that we like/trust/believe in/select those who are like… Continue reading

  • Reflections on Being a Mother, Working and “Leaning In”

    Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is a great day to reflect on being a mother.  And on being a mother who works.  And on the controversy over Sharon Sandberg’s new book, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead.  I… Continue reading

  • Who Are You And How Did You Get That Way?

    Understand Yourself One of the most important tasks of becoming a great leader and a successful Executive (and those things are not necessarily the same thing) is to REALLY understand yourself.  You need to understand what makes you tick–what motivates… Continue reading

  • Does Aggressive Leadership Work?

    The Rutgers Coach I had breakfast with a group of friends this morning, evenly divided male/female.  The topic of the Rutgers coach who got fired came up.  I don’t think anyone in the discussion had seen more than a brief… Continue reading

  • Why Is It So Hard to Build A Team?

      Teams Are Easy, Right? In theory it should be easy to create a team.  Each stakeholder part of the organization sends their best and brightest, outside expertise is brought in, the goal is explained and the “team” gets to… Continue reading

  • Are You Stuck?

    Have you noticed that you’re not moving up in your organization any more?  Have your last couple of job changes been laterals?  Have your last couple of reviews been ho-hum? Are you starting to get the message that you’re stuck… Continue reading

  • Mentor Me, Mentor You

    Find a Mentor.  Use a Mentor. Be a Mentor. I’m sure you’re always hearing the advice that you need a mentor.  In fact, you’ve even heard it from me.    Why do people keep giving that advice?   There is research that  supports… Continue reading

  • Are You Too Old To Get a (New) Job?

    How Old Is Old?  Lately the theme of being too old has continued to pop up in my coaching practice like a Whack-A- Mole game on steroids.  The ironic thing is that the people who have brought it up have… Continue reading

  • Stick with Your New Year’s Resolutions: Find Your Gateway Habits

    Another Year, Another List Do you make the same New Year’s Resolutions year after year?  Save money.  Lose weight. Get a new job. Get a promotion.  Spend more time with the family.  Do you ever get your resolutions done?  How… Continue reading