Just done.

I just laid someone off. She was not surprised. 

She even offered to help with the transition of anything that is needed.

This is a sign of the times...

How to deliver bad news

I have to lay off someone on my team today.

I am working on developing the right words to say - not only for that conversation, but also for the conversation I'll then have with the remaining team members. I really believe layoffs are as hard on the people who go, as the people who stay. This is for different reasons, of course - but still.

Friend of a friend of an Olympian...

So, I'm all about X degrees of separation.

This morning I learned that a colleague's co-worker is Garrett Weber-Gale's dad.

Who is Garrett Weber-Gale? He's on the 4x100 meter relay that Michael Phelps anchored in August. You know, that one where Michael took a half-breath and totally beat out the other anchor leg swimmer? And it was amazing? And we all jumped up and yelled at the TV?

Yep, that's the one. Go here to vote for the Sullivan Awards: http://budurl.com/w9s5 

So I am (this) close to the Olympics.

Also, my brother-in-law? He dated a girl who swam collegiately who dated Michael Phelps. I don't know if that's closer or farther than my example above. Maybe Michael dates a lot of girls. Or maybe my brother-in-law does. :D