« When Does Following the Rule Become a Public Relations Nightmare? | The Hasty Heart: Making Fast, Impromptu Decisions Can Sabotage Your Career »

What We May Learn From the Kagan Nomination Hearings


“She is smart, “declares the Christian Monitor. “She is learned in the law. And she has the ability to function well under extreme pressure. She’s also funny.”

What Elena Kagan is not, apparently, is someone who talks too much, divulges secret agendas, and discloses her views on undecided issues that may be facing the Supreme Court over the next few decades.

This suggests a strange yet interesting dichotomy for most of us who communicate every day at work. What do we disclose when we are interviewed for a job? How much information do we share with co-workers on controversial policies or procedures?  When do I state my opinion? And when is it better to do the side-step shuffle – as many senators describe Kagan’s behavior. She is accused of choosing ones words too carefully, saying just enough about a point of view without telegraphing how she might vote in the future.

Have you ever faced a similar dilemma at work?

Many decades ago when I running for chairperson of an English department at a Los Angeles community college, I had to vote on a particular controversial issue. Hard to believe this caused a fist fight at a senate meeting, but here was the battle: Should we ditch the one year grammar program and replace it with a tutorial writing program that would eliminate the use of grammar exercises and instruction?

In other words, do we   seal the fate of two instructors who built this program from scratch and taught it for over a dozen years? If their program disappears, they will have to teach other classes, transfer to another college, and/or retire

The vote naturally impacted my future because I was up for re-election as chairperson. If I voted in favor of keeping the traditional grammar program, many teachers would boycott my nomination. And if I voted against the program, two very valuable and sometimes brilliant instructors would probably do everything in their power to undermine my authority, once I was elected.

Yes, it was a secret ballot, but as you know, in small departments, there are no secrets.

Do I side-step the issue and do a Kagan-esque dance that would keep me neutral (and keep my department guessing)?  Or, should I make my views known so I establish my perspective, risking my future as a college administrator?

 

 

 

What do we learn from these recent Supreme Court nomination proceedings and how might this influence the way we communicate with our boss and our co-workers?

To find out what I did – and hear Dr. Brian’s reaction – (we rarely ever agree) —- tune into the Insultant/Consultant Radio Show this July 4th at 9:30 AM (PST)  Sunday morning


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consultantinsultant

 

This entry was posted on July 3, 2010 at 13:15 and is filed under The Mouth Trap. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

97 Responses to “What We May Learn From the Kagan Nomination Hearings”

  1. Truth About Mouth Ulcers & Canker Sores. | Health Insurance says:
    July 3, 2010 at 13:44

    […] The Mouth Trap » Blog Archive » What We May Learn From the Kagan … […]

  2. viagra says:
    July 9, 2010 at 08:13

    bagdkNR gRFlWclz

  3. viagra says:
    July 9, 2010 at 08:46

    cQKkAVHW AmMwSH

  4. viagra says:
    July 9, 2010 at 08:58

    ceLgKPhx yHnojWue

  5. viagra says:
    July 9, 2010 at 09:03

    rFqOyuvh sMVASye

  6. social network AltroVita says:
    July 9, 2010 at 20:21

    useful information. It’s really good

  7. Streaming Audio says:
    July 9, 2010 at 23:47

    How much money will a team get if they win the Premiership?

  8. Xanax says:
    July 13, 2010 at 22:25

    nKAtZyFs Xanax

  9. Valium says:
    July 14, 2010 at 21:21

    geFPQg Valium

  10. Viagra says:
    July 15, 2010 at 15:07

    ArQape Viagra

  11. Valium says:
    July 16, 2010 at 11:21

    jaBqrT Valium

  12. Viagra says:
    July 16, 2010 at 13:06

    IdNlmc Viagra

  13. Buy Xanax says:
    July 16, 2010 at 17:50

    gzaQuy Buy Xanax

  14. Buy Viagra online says:
    July 17, 2010 at 01:37

    zxViYv Buy Viagra online

  15. Buy Valium says:
    July 17, 2010 at 02:10

    pSjGGNIn Buy Valium

  16. buy generic pills online says:
    July 18, 2010 at 07:45

    Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.

  17. Cialis says:
    July 20, 2010 at 02:21

    LVaZmJGS Cialis

  18. popular erectile pills says:
    July 20, 2010 at 09:55

    Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.

  19. JACOB says:
    July 20, 2010 at 11:01

    < blockquote >< a href=”http://medicamentspot.com/”>MedicamentSpot.com. Canadian Health&Care.No prescription online pharmacy.Special Internet Prices.Best quality drugs. No prescription pills. Buy drugs online< /a >…

    Buy:Advair.Acomplia.Zetia.Buspar.SleepWell.Lasix.Cozaar.Wellbutrin SR.Nymphomax.Lipothin.Prozac.Benicar.Zocor.Amoxicillin.Aricept.Female Pink Viagra.Seroquel.Female Cialis.Ventolin.Lipitor….

  20. Cheap viagra says:
    July 21, 2010 at 00:35

    HrLqXck Cheap viagra

  21. FRANKLIN says:
    July 21, 2010 at 08:19

    < blockquote >< a href=”http://medicamentspot.com/”>MedicamentSpot.com. Canadian Health&Care.No prescription online pharmacy.Special Internet Prices.Best quality drugs. No prescription drugs. Buy drugs online< /a >…

    Buy:Lumigan.Retin-A.Prednisolone.Mega Hoodia.Prevacid.100% Pure Okinawan Coral Calcium.Zovirax.Valtrex.Nexium.Zyban.Human Growth Hormone.Arimidex.Synthroid.Accutane.Petcam (Metacam) Oral Suspension.Actos….

  22. Buy Cialis says:
    July 21, 2010 at 10:32

    NZEcWn Buy Cialis

  23. Cheap Cialis says:
    July 21, 2010 at 13:53

    pfwJfkC Cheap Cialis

  24. Cheap viagra says:
    July 22, 2010 at 02:32

    bUQdshm Cheap viagra

  25. Cialis says:
    July 24, 2010 at 04:22

    aXZODToS Cialis

  26. Xanax says:
    July 24, 2010 at 17:25

    axwKddg Xanax

  27. Cheap Valium says:
    July 25, 2010 at 16:27

    FeyAehU Cheap Valium

  28. Buy Cialis says:
    July 26, 2010 at 06:18

    dLstGyaD Buy Cialis

  29. Pharmg595 says:
    July 27, 2010 at 14:54

    Hello! kceedbf interesting kceedbf site!

  30. Pharmk881 says:
    July 27, 2010 at 14:54

    Very nice site! cheap viagra

  31. Pharmd441 says:
    July 27, 2010 at 14:54

    Very nice site! [url=http://ypxoiea.com/ovyrsyv/2.html]cheap cialis[/url]

  32. Pharmg560 says:
    July 27, 2010 at 14:55

    Very nice site! cheap cialis http://ypxoiea.com/ovyrsyv/4.html

  33. Pharmg802 says:
    July 27, 2010 at 14:55

    Very nice site!

  34. Phentermine says:
    July 28, 2010 at 03:31

    oQkTRXzV Phentermine

  35. Cialis says:
    July 28, 2010 at 16:23

    NcJDmBo Cialis

  36. Viagra says:
    July 29, 2010 at 05:31

    OinbGpEQ Viagra

  37. Buy Cialis says:
    July 29, 2010 at 18:09

    lYjhmVf Buy Cialis

  38. Cheap Cialis says:
    July 31, 2010 at 02:26

    NcfzHP Cheap Cialis

  39. Cheap Cialis says:
    August 2, 2010 at 13:50

    FJUmiKwS Cheap Cialis

  40. Cialis says:
    August 3, 2010 at 03:13

    EFqeNQWl Cialis

  41. Buy Cialis Online says:
    August 5, 2010 at 07:19

    tnUdiow Buy Cialis Online

  42. haier water dispenser wdns055 says:
    August 6, 2010 at 01:33

    i prefer a ceramic water dispenser. it look better at home.

  43. hypotheek says:
    August 12, 2010 at 23:45

    Hypotheken? Heel veel hypotheek informatie: verschillende hypotheekvormen, hypotheekrentes, nationale hypotheek garantie, hoe een hypotheek te vergelijken.

  44. lenen says:
    August 14, 2010 at 13:30

    Lenen Zonder BKR Toetsing Lenen zonder BKR toetsing stijgt in populariteit op het Internet. Veel mensen met een zogeheten BKR notatie, die toch geld willen lenen zijn op zoek naar …

  45. bankruptcy says:
    August 19, 2010 at 14:16

    That’s what I was looking for

  46. Pharmd339 says:
    August 20, 2010 at 05:49

    Hello! kgbddeg interesting kgbddeg site!

  47. Pharma244 says:
    August 20, 2010 at 05:49

    Very nice site! cheap viagra

  48. Pharmd633 says:
    August 20, 2010 at 05:50

    Very nice site! [url=http://opxaiey.com/oyyrsry/2.html]cheap cialis[/url]

  49. Pharmd354 says:
    August 20, 2010 at 05:50

    Very nice site! cheap cialis http://opxaiey.com/oyyrsry/4.html

  50. Pharmk352 says:
    August 20, 2010 at 05:50

    Very nice site!

  51. cajun recipes says:
    August 21, 2010 at 09:48

    It is beautiful -looks yummy

  52. gxqgwcqj says:
    August 23, 2010 at 08:08

    gxqgwcqj…

    gxqgwcqj…

  53. unique toilet seats says:
    August 24, 2010 at 19:25

    anyone know where to get a toilet seat riser?

  54. Male Enhancement says:
    August 25, 2010 at 23:12

    It’s really great to post my comments on such a blog. I would like to appreciate the great work done by the web master and would like to tell everyone that they should post their interesting comments and should make this blog interesting. Once again I would like to say keep it up to blog owner!!!! http://www.naturalherbalsinc.com

  55. pissing movies says:
    August 26, 2010 at 06:26

    This is this kind of a amazing resource that you are supplying and you give it away for cost-free. I appreciate seeing websites that comprehend the value of providing a prime resource for totally free. I really loved reading your post. Thanks!

  56. Emblem says:
    August 28, 2010 at 23:13

    Dragons And The Blade Of Light Shadow DS/ http://copious-systems.com/tag/Emblem : Emblem…

    Dragons And The Blade Of Light Shadow DS/…

  57. robe Mr. 500i Mrobe 100/ says:
    August 28, 2010 at 23:14

    robe Mr. 500i Mrobe 100/ http://AUTOPARTSTHAI.INFO/tag/M : robe Mr. 500i Mrobe 100/…

    M…

  58. M Docking Zen/ says:
    August 28, 2010 at 23:16

    M Docking Zen/ http://copious-systems.com/tag/Vision : Vision…

    M Docking Zen/…

  59. Mya says:
    August 28, 2010 at 23:30

    http://www.panicattacktreatmentinfo.com/

  60. robe m Olympus/ says:
    August 28, 2010 at 23:44

    robe m Olympus/ http://AUTOPARTSTHAI.INFO/tag/M : robe m Olympus/…

    robe m Olympus/…

  61. 1 says:
    August 29, 2010 at 00:03

    18 Case car Diecast/ http://04FORDPARTS.US/tag/1 : 18 Case car Diecast/…

    1…

  62. 4 says:
    August 29, 2010 at 00:40

    4 http://ABABYCLOTHES.INFO/tag/Store Selling Nightbane Book 4 : Selling…

    4…

  63. 6 says:
    August 29, 2010 at 01:57

    6 http://APTAUTOPARTS.INFO/tag/Sun 6 : 6…

    6…

  64. r\x3dh says:
    August 29, 2010 at 02:02

    au Card XD/ http://ABABYCLOTHES.INFO/tag/r\x3dh : au Card XD/…

    au Card XD/…

  65. H says:
    August 29, 2010 at 02:13

    Niebuhr http://ebedroomgmzj6.AUTOPARTSTHAI.INFO/tag/Helmut Niebuhr H/ : H…

    Helmut…

  66. on says:
    August 29, 2010 at 02:17

    ion http://vvintagecm8rig.BEDROOMPROPERTY.INFO/tag/carry on ion boarding/ : on…

    on…

  67. slr says:
    August 29, 2010 at 02:29

    Slr http://xmathmatical3tyg.bestpartsstore.info/tag/Japan+Slr+slr+camera/ : Slr…

    camera…

  68. Wall says:
    August 29, 2010 at 12:35

    rack http://wround4ld.04FORDPARTS.US/tag/Wall+Candle+grill+rack/ : Wall…

    rack…

  69. GE says:
    August 29, 2010 at 13:18

    electric http://kgeneralwrija4.01DODGEPARTS.US/tag/general+electric+wcvh6800j+Front+GE/ : general…

    GE…

  70. lcd says:
    August 29, 2010 at 13:21

    Lcd http://zlcd9zz.BABYCLOTHESNUT.INFO/tag/Lcd+10X25+Binoculars+lcd/ : Lcd…

    lcd…

  71. Rock says:
    August 29, 2010 at 18:17

    Rock http://dpond5ll.AUTOPARTSVILLE.INFO/tag/azomite+Rock+dust/ : Rock…

    Rock…

  72. Каблуков says:
    August 31, 2010 at 06:23

    Хорошие размышления, надо развивать тему

  73. Watch The Other Guys Online says:
    August 31, 2010 at 16:20

    hkqdmhgxbazfznpymqqj, Watch The Other Guys Online, yatwdtq.

  74. conveyancing says:
    September 1, 2010 at 04:16

    This post is really helpful for someone who has been having difficulties with this situation. I have seen a number of resources but to no avail. I will continue reading and learning here in the hope of ultimately getting past this.

  75. sex toys says:
    September 1, 2010 at 08:07

    Lovely concept! I’m just in the middle of formatting my site so this came at great time.

  76. svan high chair cushion says:
    September 1, 2010 at 15:03

    http://nightmovesjazzband.com/SMF/index.php?action=profile;u=39189

  77. marijuana growing blog says:
    September 2, 2010 at 01:03

    uvigoaahhogmgnlwuyqt, marijuana growing blog, fjexknc.

  78. conveyancing solicitors says:
    September 2, 2010 at 06:00

    I’ve seen many weblogs and I can certainly state that this one is my favorite.

  79. cotto vs chavez says:
    September 2, 2010 at 08:18

    teovvvpcqhynetjmnnjk, miguel cotto vs julio cesar chavez, yayoped.

  80. sex toys says:
    September 3, 2010 at 04:54

    Lovely info and slick site design you’ve got here!

  81. chavez jr vs cotto says:
    September 3, 2010 at 07:19

    qsctrqspisluhsivrzfe, julio cesar chavez jr vs miguel cotto, pafjovi.

  82. conveyancing says:
    September 3, 2010 at 08:12

    I have to admit I don’t always agree with you, but on this you really hit the nail on point.

  83. Watch Paranormal Activity Online says:
    September 3, 2010 at 08:41

    cmjqqelsnzetmbjdjgur, Watch Paranormal Activity Online, uirdoyl.

  84. rabbit vibrator says:
    September 3, 2010 at 10:31

    Very insightful post. Thanks for takin d time to share your view wit every1.

  85. rabbit vibrator says:
    September 3, 2010 at 11:14

    hi, excellent web blog. definitely for bookmarks.

  86. cotto vs chavez jr says:
    September 4, 2010 at 06:40

    rzpcrstjplahrlbjcoho, cotto vs chavez jr, ozcsmcm.

  87. marijuana growing says:
    September 4, 2010 at 08:03

    pbkcwgrzowqdnjluzhkf, marijuana growing, nhnhwuu.

  88. chavez vs cotto says:
    September 5, 2010 at 05:04

    bnfsebncmghdfkgsdyup, chavez jr vs cotto, qqdvgag.

  89. ford keypad code says:
    September 5, 2010 at 06:51

    iesiourpoknwmfbclfrl, ford keypad code, wpyfvgo.

  90. GEORGE says:
    September 5, 2010 at 07:18

    < blockquote >< a href=”http://cheaptabletsonline.com/”>CheapTabletsOnline.com. Canadian Health&Care.Best quality drugs.Special Internet Prices.No prescription online pharmacy. High quality pills. Order pills online< /a >…

    Buy:Super Active ED Pack.Viagra.Viagra Soft Tabs.Cialis Soft Tabs.Cialis Professional.Propecia.Viagra Super Force.Viagra Super Active+.Tramadol.Maxaman.VPXL.Zithromax.Cialis.Levitra.Soma.Viagra Professional.Cialis Super Active+….

  91. halley says:
    September 5, 2010 at 23:44

    beverly mitchell baby

  92. CLAYTON says:
    September 6, 2010 at 03:38

    < blockquote >< a href=”http://cheaptabletsonline.com/”>CheapTabletsOnline.Com. Canadian Health&Care.Best quality drugs.Special Internet Prices.No prescription online pharmacy. High quality drugs. Order pills online< /a >…

    Buy:Aricept.Lipothin.Wellbutrin SR.Advair.Acomplia.Lasix.Seroquel.SleepWell.Lipitor.Benicar.Zetia.Female Pink Viagra.Amoxicillin.Female Cialis.Buspar.Cozaar.Nymphomax.Prozac.Ventolin.Zocor….

  93. migraine says:
    September 6, 2010 at 04:42

    Migraine is een bonzende hoofdpijn die meestal voorkomt aan één kant van de schedel. De pijn is heftig en houdt 4 tot 72 uur aan.

  94. Watch Zombieland Online says:
    September 6, 2010 at 06:28

    hqthmlldyjsaqiayxmua, Watch Zombieland Online, btrqyzh.

  95. Watch Paranormal Activity Online says:
    September 6, 2010 at 09:06

    cstolwfrcbpxqtzqldhz, Watch Paranormal Activity Online, hoikqmk.

  96. uzajqa says:
    September 6, 2010 at 10:55

    By morning, she ashley harkleroad nude playboy tried not but prince aru, but she calmed down, she.

  97. migraine says:
    September 6, 2010 at 11:44

    Migraine is hoofdpijn die in aanvallen komt. De hoofdpijn komt plotseling op, soms midden in de nacht zodat u er wakker van wordt. De pijn zit meestal aan

Leave a Reply