Blog

  • Is Emotional Intelligence the Secret Ingredient?

    Published: September 28, 2011 by Melissa Kleinschmidt Categories: Professional Development Comments: 0

    Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a good leader. It may be that I’ve been subconsciously influenced by all the ongoing political debate that peppers the media, or a recent article that discussed the low percentage of women who are CEOs, but I’m always curious as to how those I perceive as successful leaders got to where they are.

    Usually, I attribute their success to their intelligence married with charisma. You know who I’m talking about – those really successful people who have the right combination of book and street-smarts with a little right-place-right-time... read on

  • At the end of the day, my sense is that [you should] think out of the box.

    Published: June 30, 2011 by Melissa Kleinschmidt Categories: Professional Development Comments: 1

    Stop Using Office Jargon!

    I’ll admit it – I am a bit of word nerd. I think it’s what attracted me to my career in the first place. (That and I didn’t want to be an English teacher). Recently, I had a somewhat serious conversation over drinks with another lover of the written word. As we were sharing our favorites (mine happen to include ennui, fenestration, lexicon and ubiquitous), someone else at the table commented that apart from the fact we were having a completely ridiculous conversation, we had a point (albeit a small one): when did we stop using words to communicate and replaced... read on

  • Walking Shorts, Man-Sandals and Bucket Hats, Oh My!

    Published: May 25, 2011 by Melissa Kleinschmidt Categories: Fashion & Style, Professional Development Comments: 0

    It’s May in Indy, and along with the return to all-things-racing is the return of warmer temps that usually accompany the Memorial Day weekend. It also marks the return of warmer weather office attire, which can be somewhat tricky. We’ve all heard the old adage that you “dress for the job you want, not the job you have.” But even organizational leaders get a little hot under the collar – literally speaking, of course. So when the temps climb well above the comfortable (at least in my opinion) 82 degree mark, how can you stay cool and still look professional?

    First, and foremost, check... read on

  • It’s Not PTO: Rules for Working from Home

    Published: April 20, 2011 by Melissa Kleinschmidt Categories: Professional Development Comments: 1

    I like to think of myself as a productive person. I thrive on making to-do lists and turning them into ta-da lists. But sometimes no matter how productive or efficient I am, the constant distractions – phones ringing off the hook, people stopping by your office, or the saxophone player playing the same three tunes on the street outside your office window during downtown events – make it hard to concentrate. That’s usually when I schedule myself to work from home for day.

    Some employers equate working from home with taking the day off. While my office attire differs slightly from my normal... read on