Onboarding...
Welcome, newcomers to this Potluck. My column home. Also, follow us on Twitter @okobojiwriters.
My recent piece about the time I spent with John Denver caused my metric numbers to skyrocket like a hockey stick. If you joined because of it, welcome, and I hope you stay around.
My friend, the late Jim Flansburg, was a legendary political reporter and columnist for The Des Moines Register. He was not a warm and fuzzy guy. A tour group came through the newsroom (he hated tour groups), and someone asked: "Mr. Flansburg, how long does it take you to write a column?"
To which, Flans spat out: "Thirty-five years."
He then walked away.
My Denver piece took about 52 years to write. These columns won't all be about a celebrity. But they will be the result of having lived 70 years.
We are now three weeks into this trail of words strung together. I had no idea what to expect when I opened this door, and yet, here we are. I'm grateful to those who have sent me comments either publicly or privately.
We are a self-selected group so far because you are either a friend, a friend of a friend, a fellow Iowan at some point in life. Or, we were business colleagues. Maybe we met in a seminar/training. Or on a sailboat or trawler in Annapolis or a port along the eastern seaboard.
I've collected a lot of people. Put us all together, and we are a motley but impressive crew.
The point is, we have some things in common and a lot more we don't know about yet.
I can't change the whole world, but there are things I can change. In my little corner of Internet discourse comments here are encouraged and welcome. Just sign your full name and be respectful. That's it.
The reader who pointed out the word 'frisbee' should be 'Frisbee,' I thank you.
But if you love an Internet fight, let's not do it here in my column home.
I lost a subscriber who said he was disappointed to learn I was a part of “cancel-culture” after reading 'Impeachment Trial Reaction' (click for the column). He then CANCELLED his subscription, probably not seeing the irony.
You'll find here a result of a perspective born of varied careers, travels, and relationships (click for introductory column).
For the past 20 years I facilitated a business group where experts talked about such things as leadership and culture. Employees are the engine and fuel of a business so It’s critical to properly ‘onboard’ recruits and they understand ‘how things are done around here.’ Otherwise they might bring bad habits from previous workplaces. And, it’s a leader’s job to be the Chief Reminding Officer regarding culture.
As for how things are done around here, I'm at a stage in life where I'm ok being vulnerable. You don't have to be, but I've learned it's a good thing.
I'm married to a man who can spend a few hours with a corporate board book and understand it. He's funny, too. You'll be hearing from him.
Again, welcome. Take your shoes off and stay as long as we're both still here.
Are we good?
When I was very young I would read your dad’s column and also one from Elizabeth Clarkson Zwart. Enjoyed yours as well when you wrote for the Register. Feels like a homecoming.
Thank you for the onboarding email. We’re good. Your John Denver column was my first experience of your Potluck and you hooked me! I look forward to reading your future postings.