Ask Madeleine is Blanchard’s weekly advice column for well-meaning managers dealing with the challenges of bringing out the best in people in today’s changing work environment. For more than 10 years, master certified coach Madeleine Homan Blanchard has been answering readers’ questions. How about you? Do you have a work issue that Madeleine could help…
Dear Madeleine, I am an EVP in a mid-sized service business. I created the role, as I was put in charge of two business units that had been quite siloed but shared some overlap. Part of my job was to create consistency in their approach to developing new business, data collection, and execution. I have…
Dear Madeleine, I have been working for a new boss for about six months. I think she is very organized and personable, and her whole team (me included) likes working for her. A while back, I had a rough time with the leader of another team. I won’t go into detail about exactly what happened—there…
Dear Madeleine, This isn’t so much a work question as a “my work is affecting my relationship” question. I met my husband in grad school when we were both studying to work in the same field. He got an amazing job with a good salary right out of school. I was happy for him and…
Dear Madeleine, I am 28 years old and was hired five months ago at a globally recognized tech company. I moved across the country, took on a one-year lease, and furnished an apartment. I made some very solid friends among many of the people who were members of my orientation class. I was assigned to…
Dear Madeleine, I have had a great deal of success. My problem is now that I have achieved my goals, I realize this isn’t what I thought it would be. I am 38, married, with two young kids and another on the way and a massive mortgage (albeit at a low rate compared to today’s…
Dear Madeleine, I recently joined a marketing team for a not-quite-startup in the technology space. It has been going well. My boss recently asked me if I would take over writing a weekly blog for our website. I didn’t say “no” right out of the gate—I asked if I could look at what has been…
Dear Madeleine, I manage R&D for a large medical device company. I am at the tail end of my work life. I wanted to retire at the end of this year, but our executive team is encouraging me to stay until I feel comfortable that someone on my team can step into the role. Right…
Dear Madeleine, Our company is providing group coaching for all managers at my level. I have never worked with a coach before, but they have given us a bunch of information so (I think) I am comfortable with what coaching is and what is expected of me. My one area of confusion is this: they…
Hello Madeleine, I am 44, a devout Christian, on the autism spectrum, and working on my PhD at a seminary. From the day I came here I have had one job: I work at the campus post office. The pay is horrible, but I have a Patreon so I don’t need as much as others.…