All Posts By

Chris Chambers

Strategy

How nice, how aligned

As a parent of school age children, there is nothing more frustrating than the sudden realization that my kids are now getting their information from sources other than our family. When we were their one and only encyclopedia, things were good. It gave me this sublime sense of control. Even…
Chris Chambers
October 4, 2018
People

Stop before the ‘but’

There are arguably words in the English language that can be harmful. The ones that come to mind immediately are, of course, racist or sexist or, just generally, mean-ist. Another one exists. It isn’t called out on politically incorrect lists. And we all say it all the time (sometimes harmlessly).…
Chris Chambers
November 6, 2018
PeopleThe business side

Be the spray nozzle

I am in awe of my yard tools. (Contrary to popular belief, I do not go so far as to sleep in my jacket and tie.) The awe: it’s something about the fact that we, as a species, continue to look at our tasks—such as yard work—and, not only imagine…
Chris Chambers
December 5, 2018
People

Ahhh…humanity

All signs point to the fact that I’m human. Like this one: I’m in a cab on my way to a meeting, and, instead of taking 5th Avenue, the cabbie is on 2nd—and it’s taking forever. There I am in the back seat, getting more and more frustrated. I’m thinking…
Chris Chambers
January 2, 2018
PeopleThe business side

Why listening is the new life raft

During my sophomore year, I played the lead in our high school rendition of Chicago. For those of you who don’t know the show, Billy Flynn’s an arrogant defense lawyer who specializes in getting convicted women out of jail. His character has several scenes with copious amounts of dialogue—like the one…
Chris Chambers
December 11, 2017
People

A dollar goes a long way…eh?

A friend of mine that runs a creative company in NYC has a Fear Jar on his desk. It’s purpose and M.O. go like this: whenever anyone in the office says something driven by fear, they have to put $1 in the Jar. At the end of the first year, there…
Chris Chambers
November 11, 2017
PeopleStrategyThe business side

Keep it in the jar

A friend of mine was telling me about her chicken soup. Or rather, the process of making it. It’s long and involved, and includes things like soaking the chicken in cold water with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar for one hour before cooking it for 24. She cooks the…
Chris Chambers
October 11, 2017
People

So no one gets lost

Working in NYC, I see a lot of lost people. And I don’t mean the ones that just can’t figure out what to do with their lives (though there are quite a few of those). I mean the people that actually can’t find the way to their destinations. I either…
Chris Chambers
September 13, 2017
People

Why wings are good to have

I’ve recently learned about the enneagram—an ancient system of personality typing. In business, it’s generally used as a tool to increase understanding of workplace dynamics. And, to that end, it’s also used to gain self-awareness and the subsequent success that comes from knowing who you are and how you operate in…
Chris Chambers
August 11, 2017