Laura Gassner Otting 
Driving my 8th grader home from school one day, I received a call from a friend who happens to be the executive producer of TEDxCambridge. Knowing she was in a bit of a career transition — one that I had energetically encouraged — I felt the responsibility to take the call to make sure everything … Read more
I like to own the stage. I channel my inner showman, and turn on the razzle dazzle. I’m really one jazz-hand number away from selling tickets. And, inevitably, whether in a public arena where I’m teaching leadership, or in a quiet coffee mentoring meeting, that stage persona always leads to the same question. “When did … Read more
I’ve been lucky enough to know some pretty kick-ass people in my time. If you don’t count a few dubious boyfriends early on, they are, for the most part, gorgeously gifted human beings who have a strong moral compass about the world and a shit ton of brilliance to share about how to make said … Read more
Somewhere along your path from doer to leader will be a boss who mindlessly forwards an email or tosses out an idea with the intro, “Wouldn’t it be great if…” And, you’ll find yourself scrambling to come up with ideas, present solutions, innovate in a vacuum of information, the whole time wondering what on … Read more
A common refrain as we travel through Wonderhell is, “I’m too busy.” I want to volunteer, but I’m too busy. I want to workout, but I’m too busy. I want to go back to school, but I’m too busy. I want to be a better friend, but I’m too busy. So, my question for you … Read more
I’m often asked to speak about my experience as an entrepreneur. Invariably, someone will ask me what I planned to do if I failed in any of the various endeavors I’ve founded or helped found. I tell her that she is asking the wrong question of me, but also of herself. “You tell me,” I … Read more
Dolly Parton once famously said, “Figure out who you are and do it on purpose.” Wise words, those. If there was ever a woman who figured out who she was and did it on purpose — and damned unapologetically I might add — it was Dolly Parton. That advice beckons us to obey as if … Read more
This isn’t going to be your mother’s blog post about, well, calling your mother more often. Though, you should do that. Instead, here’s the life advice I’ve learned and what I really wish I knew when I was 22: 1. There are very few decisions in life that are permanent. Very little in your life … Read more
Ladies, let’s talk. It’s time to stop being nice. Yes, stop. Just quit. Don’t be nice ever again. Being nice is for suckers. Women are nice. We look out for others. We worry about people’s feelings. We take everything on our shoulders just to make sure that no one else is troubled. We couch our … Read more
A number of years ago, I was unceremoniously handed one of the single best pieces of professionals and personal advice I’ve ever received. Today, I’m going to give it to you. Janitor of a school? CEO of a major Fortune 500 company? Stay-at-home parent? Yeah, it still applies to you. Are you sitting down? Here … Read more