I will never forget the first time I heard Hazel Johnson sing “Midnight Train to Georgia.” Her sound was rich and soulful, her interpretation more riveting than the one that topped the record charts at the time, her voice so powerful she needed no microphone; it so filled – not a club, not a recording studio, but her front porch.
I simply had to go across the lawn and sit with her to hear the rest of it!
Hazel lived in a brick house next door to me on an idyllic, inner-city street called Watson Road. It was Indianapolis in the late 60’s and early 70’s – before David Letterman made Broad Ripple famous. Our neighborhood was integrated, and her mom, who owned the house, had a good job, and we thought we had the world by the tail.
We became close friends even though we were years apart.
She was like a bonus Auntie to me and helped to shape my dreams and ambitions; my belief that I could do anything and be anything. She was right.
But she worked harder to get there than I ever had to. She grew up Black in the segregation era. She was a single mom supporting a family on a local jazz singer’s income. In spite of working until 3 or 4 in the morning, she would be up in time to see her kids and everyone else’s off to school, and she waited for us all to get home. She kept us busy on muggy, summer days. She’s the reason so many of us went to church, got babysitting jobs and stayed out of trouble.
I fell in love with her butter cake, as did most of the neighborhood. You could smell it when it was in the oven. It beckoned you to come over, just as her voice did. What I did not realize then was that it was probably made with 3 or 4 sticks of butter. I saw no problem back then with having seconds, even knowing her little brothers would want some! Much as I treasured our afternoons together, I did not know until later in life what an impact she’d have on my life. It was a gift she shared with many, many others as well.
Hazel sang with many of the greats back in the day, including Wes Montgomery. But there was no American Idol, no internet, and no way to make yourself famous with self posted videos that could go viral in 15 minutes. It was a tough road and there was a lot of competition.
She never complained about where she’d come from or about how hard it was to get there. She talked a lot about a dream she had that she’d be able to give back. She’s one of the few people I know who lived the dream.
Decades after I grew up, Hazel married her dream guy, Mack Strong. His career took them away then brought them home again. In 2005 they founded the Inner City Music School. They raised money and convinced music greats to come in and teach children to play instruments, to sing and to appreciate jazz. It was all free. She also founded the Indy Women’s Jazz Festival to give voice to talented ladies who otherwise were not being recognized or celebrated.
It was sad to hear that Miss Hazel lost her long war to cancer this weekend.
The war she won was giving voice to so many others.
Thank you, Miss Hazel.
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
When is it time to leave a job?
Several times last week I was asked by people for my thoughts on whether they should be looking for job upgrades.
Spring fever? Coincidence? Low morale across the board?
I don't know the reasons so many are asking so suddenly. I do know it's a difficult time to be on the job market, but it's not an impossible time. Here are some reasons to dust off the resume:
1. You are getting a “bad vibe” at work. If your schedule was suddenly changed to one that's terribly inconvenient and the explanation for it made no sense for you or for the company's productivity, that may be a sign. It's a chicken-crap way of doing business as I believe management should be diplomatically direct with employees, but it could be a sign that things are not going to improve for you.
2. You have been demoted. Careful here. You might have been put back into a role where your skill sets will be put to much better use. If this is the case, hang in there. You might wake up in 30 days and realize you love the job and that you're contributing in a major way. But if you were knocked down for poor performance or the bosses have their eye on another rainmaker, you might be better off with a fresh start.
3. You pitched a promotion and did not get the nod. Careful here, too. Ask your boss for a warts-on appraisal about the decision. You might have been a strong candidate but someone much more ideal might have been available. If you would be comfortable continuing in your current role, by all means stay. Word to the wise here: when the new person starts in the role you pitched, know that he or she likely knows you pitched the job. Make sure you communicate your desire to be on the team and deliver on a promise to help with the transition. You don't want to be the new supervisor's biggest concern. You want to be his or her best asset! If the boss communicated from the beginning of the search, however, that there were concerns about your skills or whether you were ready for this job, you may be able to find a bigger role in another company.
There are some “good” reasons to start a job search, even in this challenging economy:
1. You have mastered that entry level job and there isn't a bigger role for you in your company. If you are mobile and can relocate, share your enthusiasm with hiring decision-makers. Communicate your willingness to relocate if necessary.
2. You know for a fact you're being paid below market value and you see a similar job posted that pays more. Apply! As you would in any job, however, do your homework. Compare apples-to-apples. If you are giving up a 401K match, vacation time or education benefits, you may not be coming out ahead.
3. You had favorable conversations with potential employers late last year or early this year about new positions they'd like to create. These jobs seemed to have your name on them, but the economy did not allow any movement during the first half of the year. I am seeing indications now that in the second half of 2011, there will be some job creation. Reach out and see where they stand.
Never give up and leave a job without another one in your pocket. That old saying your mom had is true. “It's easier to find a job when you have a job,” is correct because while you are working, you're engaging, connecting and networking with others. You are far more likely to hear of new opportunities in a job setting than you are at home surfing the web for opportunities.
Keep in mind, too, that for the unemployed, job searches are taking as long as a year. Once you hit that milestone, you might even be considered “unemployable.”
So if you fall into any of the categories we discussed today and it's “time to go” hang in there on your current job while using your off time to conduct a quiet, well thought out search. Good luck!
Spring fever? Coincidence? Low morale across the board?
I don't know the reasons so many are asking so suddenly. I do know it's a difficult time to be on the job market, but it's not an impossible time. Here are some reasons to dust off the resume:
1. You are getting a “bad vibe” at work. If your schedule was suddenly changed to one that's terribly inconvenient and the explanation for it made no sense for you or for the company's productivity, that may be a sign. It's a chicken-crap way of doing business as I believe management should be diplomatically direct with employees, but it could be a sign that things are not going to improve for you.
2. You have been demoted. Careful here. You might have been put back into a role where your skill sets will be put to much better use. If this is the case, hang in there. You might wake up in 30 days and realize you love the job and that you're contributing in a major way. But if you were knocked down for poor performance or the bosses have their eye on another rainmaker, you might be better off with a fresh start.
3. You pitched a promotion and did not get the nod. Careful here, too. Ask your boss for a warts-on appraisal about the decision. You might have been a strong candidate but someone much more ideal might have been available. If you would be comfortable continuing in your current role, by all means stay. Word to the wise here: when the new person starts in the role you pitched, know that he or she likely knows you pitched the job. Make sure you communicate your desire to be on the team and deliver on a promise to help with the transition. You don't want to be the new supervisor's biggest concern. You want to be his or her best asset! If the boss communicated from the beginning of the search, however, that there were concerns about your skills or whether you were ready for this job, you may be able to find a bigger role in another company.
There are some “good” reasons to start a job search, even in this challenging economy:
1. You have mastered that entry level job and there isn't a bigger role for you in your company. If you are mobile and can relocate, share your enthusiasm with hiring decision-makers. Communicate your willingness to relocate if necessary.
2. You know for a fact you're being paid below market value and you see a similar job posted that pays more. Apply! As you would in any job, however, do your homework. Compare apples-to-apples. If you are giving up a 401K match, vacation time or education benefits, you may not be coming out ahead.
3. You had favorable conversations with potential employers late last year or early this year about new positions they'd like to create. These jobs seemed to have your name on them, but the economy did not allow any movement during the first half of the year. I am seeing indications now that in the second half of 2011, there will be some job creation. Reach out and see where they stand.
Never give up and leave a job without another one in your pocket. That old saying your mom had is true. “It's easier to find a job when you have a job,” is correct because while you are working, you're engaging, connecting and networking with others. You are far more likely to hear of new opportunities in a job setting than you are at home surfing the web for opportunities.
Keep in mind, too, that for the unemployed, job searches are taking as long as a year. Once you hit that milestone, you might even be considered “unemployable.”
So if you fall into any of the categories we discussed today and it's “time to go” hang in there on your current job while using your off time to conduct a quiet, well thought out search. Good luck!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sharing the love at work before it's too late. A shining example of how an employer, friends and co-workers came through when it counted
This is a story about living and loving and working with cancer.
Work consumes so much of our time on earth. It defines us, pays us, inspires and frustrates us. It also establishes some of the friendships we keep for life -- and beyond.
Such is the story of two lovely young ladies in Seattle, Ann Abraham Brooks and Tricia Moen. They met on the job at KIRO TV when Ann was producing a newscast and Tricia was an aspiring intern. Their careers blossomed in the years that followed. Tricia worked her way up into a producer’s chair at KOMO TV in Seattle -- a world-class station in one of America’s most desired TV markets. Ann left the news business and held the reigns in public relations, most recently marketing Washington’s fine wines.
But they never lost touch with each other. They were there for each other right up until early Saturday, when Tricia, just 39, lost her battle with colon cancer.
During that courageous fight, Tricia and Ann talked, emailed, met for frequent lunches at new restaurants they wanted to try, and spent a wonderful week in Hawaii together this past December. They hung out at the spa, soaked up the sun, swam with dolphins. Ann shared some inspiring stories and pictures of the trip with other friends. She said none of it would have been possible without the support of Tricia’s employer, KOMO-TV, and her colleagues there. They made sure there Tricia was covered during her treatments and appointments, for more than two years, and that there was enough vacation time for that last trip to Hawaii. Ann said she and Tricia were surprised to arrive and find their hotel accommodations had been upgraded to a suite. Their long plane ride home was more comfortable because First Class upgrades were waiting for them at the gate -- all compliments of Team Tricia at KOMO.
The station campaigned throughout Tricia’s illness for colon cancer awareness and has posted a very moving tribute to Tricia.
This week many with heavy hearts will parade past the desk where Tricia sat. Her friends will get together and share memories. There will be joy and there will be tears. But none of them -- not Ann and not her colleagues -- will have regrets about the love they never shared. They came through went it counted. They spent precious time together while they still could. They reached out before it was too late.
That’s something we all should do. Think about the first person you see when you hit the door each morning, the guy who sits across from you, the counterpart who has your back, the woman you park next to. Don’t wait to share your appreciation, admiration, encouragement. Don’t put off that lunch invitation or turn down the chance to enjoy some time together outside of the office.
You never know when you will no longer have the opportunity.
Work consumes so much of our time on earth. It defines us, pays us, inspires and frustrates us. It also establishes some of the friendships we keep for life -- and beyond.
Such is the story of two lovely young ladies in Seattle, Ann Abraham Brooks and Tricia Moen. They met on the job at KIRO TV when Ann was producing a newscast and Tricia was an aspiring intern. Their careers blossomed in the years that followed. Tricia worked her way up into a producer’s chair at KOMO TV in Seattle -- a world-class station in one of America’s most desired TV markets. Ann left the news business and held the reigns in public relations, most recently marketing Washington’s fine wines.
But they never lost touch with each other. They were there for each other right up until early Saturday, when Tricia, just 39, lost her battle with colon cancer.
During that courageous fight, Tricia and Ann talked, emailed, met for frequent lunches at new restaurants they wanted to try, and spent a wonderful week in Hawaii together this past December. They hung out at the spa, soaked up the sun, swam with dolphins. Ann shared some inspiring stories and pictures of the trip with other friends. She said none of it would have been possible without the support of Tricia’s employer, KOMO-TV, and her colleagues there. They made sure there Tricia was covered during her treatments and appointments, for more than two years, and that there was enough vacation time for that last trip to Hawaii. Ann said she and Tricia were surprised to arrive and find their hotel accommodations had been upgraded to a suite. Their long plane ride home was more comfortable because First Class upgrades were waiting for them at the gate -- all compliments of Team Tricia at KOMO.
The station campaigned throughout Tricia’s illness for colon cancer awareness and has posted a very moving tribute to Tricia.
This week many with heavy hearts will parade past the desk where Tricia sat. Her friends will get together and share memories. There will be joy and there will be tears. But none of them -- not Ann and not her colleagues -- will have regrets about the love they never shared. They came through went it counted. They spent precious time together while they still could. They reached out before it was too late.
That’s something we all should do. Think about the first person you see when you hit the door each morning, the guy who sits across from you, the counterpart who has your back, the woman you park next to. Don’t wait to share your appreciation, admiration, encouragement. Don’t put off that lunch invitation or turn down the chance to enjoy some time together outside of the office.
You never know when you will no longer have the opportunity.
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