Management is a journey of contradiction and exploration of the soul, like gold deposited in a riverbed every experience deposits more wisdom within us. To stand transparent to those we serve is the ultimate understanding of a purpose greater than our fears. To invite debate and feedback is among the most difficult qualities any leader can experience, but in that act draws even the staunchest critic to believe in the possibility of a solution.

Time is something that is usually in short supply and therefore valuable. But it can also be a crutch for procrastinators such as myself, time is a task I will get to as soon as I find time, but it seems I can never really find time because I can't remember when I lost it. How's that for circular logic?

I would continue but I seem to be out of time...

Someone once said "The higher the risk the bigger the reward". While that may be true for gamblers and stock brokers it rarely applies to work. Except in the case of asking for a raise, and then only if it is earned. What I mean is if the level of performace has exceeded the current compensation package it's time to take stock in where your at and where you want to be. While asking for a higher compensation package has it's inhierent risks, it can also be a way of improving your future with the company your with.
And hopfully create a "Win Win" situation, but to do that I must become my own cheerleader and make the case for the increase. And if I'm turned down then I must do everything in my power to continue to perform my duties to the best of my ability so that I can ask again next year.

Being a manager is a lot like being a coach; your team looks to you for direction and advice. And, like coaches, a manager is held accountable for the performance of that team, and to the team itself. A manager is responsible for the team's moral, and is tasked with keeping the team motivated and progressive. If the manager fails in these efforts, then erosion can take effect. Managers are responsible for preparing and defending the team against unnecessary adverse external factors that would degrade the core elements of the team. Like coaches, managers have victories and losses; how managers deal with those losses will define their worth in the eyes of their team. A good team can make a managers career enjoyable; protect and defend a good team to the fullest of your abilities, because in the end, a manager is only as good as the people that work for him.

Even though the objective was achieved, the meeting was a failure in that I, as a manager, failed to defend my team.