When I started to think about writing tonight, I wasn't even sure where to post, or if I remembered how to find my account because it's been so long since I've written -- such seems to be the beginning of each period of reflection, usually along with the realization that the community we had built at one point among those of us who blogged frequently has dissipated with the busyness of life. I think the decline of it all, from LJ to MySpace to Facebook has been the corporatization of it all; if you don't have a presence on FB, who are you? I see Taco Bell's postings on my feed as often as my friends...

Along with the decline from communities built on something of substance into corporate monotony, we've declined from more formally written blogs into tweets. And eventually I think we're going to see a resurgence of intelligence - God, I hope. I think we're going to hit a point where the speed of technology maxes out to a point where our generation, whatever our name is, logs off of Facebook and finds a real connection with people again.

I'm most guilty of this, mass texter that I am. I don't call, I text. It's quick, it's easy, I can do it without really interrupting what I'm doing... and the positive reinforcement is there almost instantly in the form of responses. It's not about relationships anymore, it's about affirmation - whether people are begging for comments on MySpace pictures or texting about a bad day at work. But it's so disconnected from the people involved...


When I started college I wanted to be an engineer. I don't think I really wanted to be an engineer as much as I wanted to get away from the people I was surrounded with at the time. I hadn't yet progressed from high school thinking into more mature social thinking (arguably I still haven't), into thoughts more aligned with creating a new environment rather than dwelling on an old one.

As I've moved about as far on the spectrum as I can think from engineering into management, I find myself directly involved with people, investing in them and thoroughly enjoying it. Not long ago I could never have seen myself in charge of people or even wanting to be, but as I've found myself in a leadership position, though unofficial, I've found I really enjoy the kind of work I'm doing. I've found management not to be about being bossy or demanding that things get done, but about maximizing efficiency by using people where they are most effective (and therefore usually most happy) and helping people grow in their weaker areas.

There are some really interesting dynamics to it. It's more about making good, smart decisions than about demanding results. There is a place for that, but I think the art of management with motivated employees is more subtle than what I've often considered the norm. Motivating people, of course, is a prerequisite to expecting good performance, and that is an artform in itself. I have found, though, that the managers I have been willing to work the hardest for, though, are the ones whom I feared disappointing, not the ones whose wrath I feared.

I think there's a place for firmness, but I think kindness and empowerment are far better motivators than strict, soulless demands for the benefit of a faceless company. I think that when people feel their work is meaningful, that they themselves are meaningful to an organization, that they are more willing and more motivated to work harder. This is what I want to create with my life, with my career, in whatever business role I find myself in - and note that money and profit haven't been discussed once; I feel that these things flow naturally from empowered employees working for a well organized, structured business.

I don't think that all of the talk people do about maximizing profit is very meaningful. It goes along with the speed of technology, this nameless, faceless corporate-ness of everything. I think that we need to see a resurgence in the personal relationships we have with people, with our customers and clients. I love my job not because I love my hotel or our business model or our profit margin, but because I love the people I work with and the people I've built relationships with who come to us with their business.

I never thought this would be what I wanted to do with my life. I fell into it, guided by my teachers and mentors. Now that I've found something I find deep satisfaction in, the hours don't matter and the money doesn't matter. I truly feel like I'm making my difference in the world, even if only in my own small corner of it.