Sarah M. KippSarah M. Kipp

Archives for June 2013

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Can You Take a Compliment?

For much of my life, I wrote for myself. I journaled extensively, wrote poems occasionally, and tried my hand at short stories and essays as well. Then I tucked them away in a safe place like the back of my closet or in the file cabinet under ‘work in progress.’ When I began sharing my writing, people I knew and loved complimented me on both content and style and were affirming. They spoke freely about what they liked. I, however, had a hard time hearing it.

Outwardly, I smiled and thanked them for their kind words. Sometimes, I even let what they said soak in a little. Yet, within an hour or two, I would still discount them in my mind. “She just said [Read more…] about Can You Take a Compliment?

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The Op Ed Project

Several months ago, my rabbi, Rachel Gurevitz, and I were talking about our writing and how people choose to use writing as a vehicle to carry their voice and message to a larger audience. “You should check out The Op Ed Project,” she said. She gave me a brief overview and shared the personal value she had received from attending.

Their website, www.theopedproject.org, provided all the information I needed to make my decision. The home page states, “The OpEd Project’s Mission is to increase the range of voices and quality of ideas we hear in the world. A starting goal is to increase the number of women thought leaders in key commentary forums to a tipping point.”

I signed up.

Recently, I completed the Core Seminar: Write to Change the World, a day-long experience that far exceeded what I saw described on the website. I had the privilege of spending eight hours with twenty-two diverse women with one common goal: to make a difference using the written word. We received invaluable information about how to think through and work with the essential elements of writing an Op Ed. Before that, though, we worked together until each person in the room was able to clearly articulate an area of expertise and what made her a credible expert on that subject. I watched, in awe, as the seasoned Harvard lecturer with a doctorate and several publications navigated the same path of challenge, discovery and clarification as the twenty-year-old with a GED. In the end, how we tell our story and how we establish ourselves as experts is not about who others say we are. It is about becoming grounded and clear about the contribution we bring to a given conversation, and then having the vehicle, training, and the “access pass” to navigate in the world as a thought leader who creates change.

Today I am paying forward the gift my rabbi gave to me. Check out the website: www.opedproject.org. Attend a workshop, or share the information with women in your life who would benefit from attending. In our seminar, we learned that 90% of Op Eds are submitted by men. The Op Ed Project has a mission and a vision to give women the tools they need to change this number. Please spread the word.

 

 

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Father’s Day Poem

The school my daughters attend has a beautiful graduation tradition. Teachers stand at the lectern, one at a time, and read a poem to each graduate. The poem begins and ends with the graduate’s name, and contains snippets and memories that encapsulate the experience the faculty have had of that student through his or her years attending the school. This artistic acknowledgement is a vehicle for [Read more…] about Father’s Day Poem

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Careless Errors in Workplace Writing? Think Again.

I recently worked with a company that matched the profile of my ideal client. The company had a valued employee who excelled at his job but whose written communication skills were problematic. Emails contained numerous errors. Written reports required massive revision and editing from his supervisor. The company spoke about this employee with great respect, and assured me that he was one of the most hard-working employees I would ever meet.

Their description of the situation was the first indicator I had about the complexity of the issue. Although the emails were full of what appeared to be careless errors, this employee was not careless in any other aspects of his job. In fact, he was one of the most attentive, [Read more…] about Careless Errors in Workplace Writing? Think Again.

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Y Smile

Direct communication is at the heart of building relationships and creating team. Yet, for many, finding the words to say and having the courage to speak them out loud is no minor feat. Talking to your sister or your best friend is one thing, but how willing are you to share your most authentic self with someone you don’t know or who you think may not like what you have to say?

I swim regularly at my local YMCA. At the time that I swim, more than half the pool is reserved for H20 walkers–people who are walking and exercising in the water. Two lanes are available for swimmers. Last week, I hopped into the only empty lane at the same time one of the H2O walkers swam under the lane divider into the lane. I waited until she swam to my end of the pool, and I asked if she was okay sharing the lane. [Read more…] about Y Smile