I was a little older than you when I got fired. I worked for a CEO, whose head I imagined putting through a shredder. He was an ass, so I don’t mean a Costco shredder. I mean the industrial kind. Finally, I used bad judgment and told him what I thought of him. And predictably, he fired me. But not only did he fire me. Because most business communities are small, he was able to sabotage my career for the next four years. I had made a big career mistake without considering the consequences.

You? In a broad generalization, you’re a generation whose perspective mostly lacks consideration of consequences.  And despite what your parents told you, you’re going to make mistakes. In your job, you’re going to say things you shouldn’t to the wrong people. You’re going to make bad decisions concerning your career and you’re going to need to fix it.

So think of me as Mr. Wolf, from Pulp Fiction – the cleaner, the fixer. (What am I talking about? I don’t care how old you are, if you haven’t see Pulp Fiction you’re a cultural bonehead.)
My reason for writing this is to help you mitigate the aftermath that will result from your arrogance and naivety.

This is a new, quarterly column. And I’m happy to write about the questions you have. Email them to me teri@talonnllc.com.

So who the hell am I? Well, questions are my lifeline, and like dating, I believe the best way to get to know someone is by asking whatever it is you want to know.

Did your degree help you in your career?

Yes.  I got a journalism degree. Now, I’m an author and executive coach.

What do you do?

I just wrote a book called “From the CEO’s Perspective” and I coach CEOs. Specifically, I help executives say what they’re really thinking.

How?

I can hear between the lines. I have a keen ear for what’s not being said.

How did you get to where you are?

I spent 20 years advising CEOs on issues related to internal and external communications. In addition, I’m an award-winning writer, author of Best Places to Kiss in the Northwest, and contributor to the Puget Sound and Portland Business Journals and various other magazines.

What makes you good at what you do?

I have a fearless curiosity, which means I ask the difficult questions others think but don’t say.

What are your favorite things?

Travel, wine, trapeze, skiing and watching movies early in the morning while it’s still dark out.

What else?

That’s enough for now.


Teri Citterman is an author and executive coach. She is a UO alumna and currently lives in Seattle.
To reach Teri:
teri@talonnllc.com
@CEOpov
www.linkedin.com/in/tericitterman/

For more information: www.talonnllc.com
Purchase From the CEO’s Perspective on Amazon.