These are my favorite two days of the year, but this time there were conflicts.  Olympic figure skating?  Or Westminster Dog Show?  Tough decision — thank goodness for DVR so I got to see both.  But I had two late nights in a row!

About Westminster… gorgeous, fabulous, beautiful and exciting as usual (although the female commentator on USA got on my nerves).  This year there were three new breeds:  Irish Red and White Setter, Pyrenean Shepherd and Norwegian Buhund.  See pictures at the Westminster site.  Way cool dogs but they didn’t advance.  I wonder how the veterans accept these newbies.  My hunch is they are accepted with grace — we could learn a few things from our canine friends.

The best in show line-up was fabulous.  I was cheering for Bru the terrific French bulldog, but the winner was the number one dog in the country — Sadie the Scottish Terrier.  I loved her reaction — sincere, unbridled excitement at being recognized.

Congratulations, Sadie!

If any of you feel virtual meetings are not as good as face to face, please read on.

For the past ten years, Manpower has held Global Leadership Team meetings in various places around the world.  Approximately 100 top managers from the company gather at the beginning of the year to discuss strategy and tactics for the year ahead.  It was always a highlight to travel to a cool place to hear from top management and to get together with colleagues.

But this recession changed our approach.  Last year, for the first time, we held the meeting virtually.  Many were skeptical and felt that the value of the meeting would be diminished to the point that it wouldn’t be worth the savings.  Well, were we wrong!

I felt — and I know many of my colleagues felt — that last year’s meeting was the best ever… because:

• No one was jet-lagged or had, had too much to drink the night before.
• We weren’t sitting in a huge, darkened, crowded room listening to talking heads and watching powerpoint slides — trying to stay awake.
• Every voice was heard during our discussion threads.
• Accents did not get in the way of understanding — we could understand those who didn’t speak English very well and they had the opportunity to read rather than hear the very fast, idiom-filled comments from the Americans.

The consensus was we all were more engaged and learned much more than in past years.  And the commitments we made were seen by all so the accountability during the past year was at an all-time high.

This year’s meeting starts today.  I can’t wait!

Yes.  Even though I’m a baby boomer, I do know what LOL means — laugh out loud.  And that’s what my Wilson makes me do every single day.

• He has goofy eyes that look at me from different angles.  I call them his ‘goo-goo-googly’ eyes.
• His legs can’t get traction on my hardwood floors so he’ll start out sitting very smartly and end up flat on the floor with his back legs splayed out behind him. 
• When his big sister Hannah has a rawhide, he doesn’t bark or growl — he sits in front of her and talks.  I can almost understand him whining, “It’s not fair that you get the rawhide.  I know you’re older, wiser and much bigger, but I want something to chew on, too.”
• When I walk toward the treat jar, he follows me doing 360 degree twirls until he gets his treat.
• And when he settles down in my lap after a long day of play, he sighs with utter contentment.
• I could go on and on…

…but my point is I’m lucky to have the opportunity for a healthy belly laugh every day.  Never underestimate the power of laughter and humor — whether you’re at home or at work.

And if you don’t have a dog (or cat) to laugh at, try laughing at yourself every once in a while.

BTW:  Wilson laughs at me sometimes, too!

What makes you laugh?

… when you grow up?

My answer is, “Just like my Hannah.”  No, I don’t want to be a dog, but she has qualities I admire:

• She is gorgeous!
• She is serene.
• She is fit.
• She is independent, yet
• She is obedient.
• She is very happy ‘in her skin.’
• She loves unconditionally.
• She accepts everyone (even the postal carrier) without judgment.

If I keep working at it… maybe someday!

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This post may look familiar to you — it’s one of my very favorites from 2007.  And I think it’s a good way to lead into the holiday season.

You know how I feel about my pups and I found out today that my little Wilson is Doggy Day Care’s December Dog of the Month — big title for a little guy.  Please click on the link to see his picture and read about how he spends his days.

While I’m on the subject, I’d like to tell you how both of my dogs (Hannah is Wilson’s sister) have handled my “new normal.”  It doesn’t seem fair that their lives should be changed because I’m sick, but the fact is I haven’t always felt perfect, my energy is less than usual and I’ve had house guests in and out for the past five months.  They’ve handled all this disruption with nearly perfect composure.

I am one of those who believe dogs can pick up on what’s going on with their human parents — so I believe they have been a bit more gentle, more patient and a lot more loving since I learned of my metastasis.  What great dogs!

But back to Wilson’s honor — it makes me feel good that the guys at Day Care really care about him.  And it might sound very silly, but I really am proud.  And how cute is he?

P.S.  His honor has gone to his head a bit!

Today’s guest blogger is Mark Toth, Chief Legal Officer of Manpower North America.  Read more about Mark and his many talents, and be sure to visit his blawg.

Mark has a question for all of you . . . _____________________________________________________________

According to studies conducted by big-brained business researchers, what is the absolute #1 most important trait a leader must have to be successful? Here are your choices:

1. Charisma
2. Intelligence
3. Proactivity
4. Results-orientation
5. Communication skills
6. Smooth dance moves
7. Coordinating accessories
8. Humility

Tune in tomorrow for the answer.

I’ve hired a twelve-year-old neighbor to walk my dogs for me several days a week.  Benny is adorable, articulate and empathetic way beyond his years.

When he saw me bald for the first time a few days ago his instant response was, “You look good, but this doesn’t change you as a person.  You’re still who you are.”

Good answer, Benny.  What a guy!

A few weeks ago — in Don’t Ignore Me – I blogged with advice on dealing with someone who is seriously ill.  I have a few more bits of advice to add:

• Please, please don’t give me medical advice (unless you’re on my team of doctors).  I trust the medical care I’ve chosen and I really don’t want someone — I know you mean well — undermining my confidence by making a recommendation that is different from what I’ve decided is the best course of treatment for me.  Again — I know you mean well.  But I don’t want my decisions second-guessed by a lay person.
• I also don’t want you to tell me how or what to eat.
• And since I’m now bald, there is another “elephant in the room” for me.  If someone  looks different, my advice is to acknowledge it.  If you ignore it I either think you’ve never looked me in the eye so didn’t notice that I’m shiny bald OR you’re afraid and choose to ignore it.  Remember — don’t ignore me!

My intention with this advice is not to sound parental or judgmental — so please take it in the spirit I’ve intended.  I hope I can increase your comfort level and the comfort level of those who are sick.

P.S.  I still feel great!  Stay tuned for pix of my bald head.

Today’s guest blogger is Michael Doyle, Manpower’s Vice President/General Manager of the Southeast Staffing Division.  Michael lives in Raleigh, NC with his wife and two children.  Want to learn more about him?  Check out his professional bio.

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Like Melanie, I do admit to watching reality TV.  My kids love Wipe Out on Wednesday nights on ABC.  When I’m traveling, I often receive texts from my nine-year-old (using his mom’s phone) about the show.  I’m lucky — texting Dad is cool!

Anyway, let me get to the point:  Watch the show and then try to tell me that it doesn’t remind you of a typical week at your job.  Obstacles, mud, surprise attacks, spinning wheels, waterfalls….  The expectation is that you complete the task at a fast and furious pace.  Always on the clock.  Constantly dodging “bullets.”

Each contestant can be compared to a day in the week.  Some crash and burn.  Others conquer the bouncy red balls in record time.  I dare you to think of your job the way the contestants think of Wipe Out — what an awesome challenge!

I choose to rule the world tomorrow.  Can you promise yourself the same?

Do you have any better examples of strange places to find workplace inspiration?

Last week I talked about how you should act when your friends and acquaintances are ill or suffering a loss.  If you haven’t read it yet, take a look back — you might learn something.

This week I want to tell you what I’m trying to learn as the person who is ill.  I emphasize trying — I’m trying very hard to do as I say, but I find some of it difficult.  Some of it is easy for me,  some very hard!  Here we go:

• Try to be as normal as possible — go to work, go to the grocery, walk the dogs.  Normal is good!
• Be open and honest with people. Let them know what’s going on (if you think they want to know).
• Don’t be too gory with your details — TMI for some.  But others might want to hear about the real deal so share with those.
• Try your best to remain positive.  I believe people will get tired of dealing with a ‘sad sack’ all the time.
• But having said that, if you’re having a really bad day, you’re allowed to show it.  You can’t be unrealistically upbeat all the time.  This is one of the hard ones for me because my middle name is Pollyanna.  I did give in to how I felt one day and it surprised some people.
• And this one is the most difficult for me — don’t be macho about asking for help.  Ask for help from your doctors and ask for help from your friends.

This isn’t fun, but I want to be known for handling it well — and for teaching people on both sides of the situation how to get by.

P.S.  I’ve had two chemos so far.  My first week wasn’t great, but I’m determined this one will be better and that I’ll establish my new normal.  And I still have hair for another week or two!