I am not a coffee person for a number of reasons but I make coffee for someone special in my life very often. So you can say, I am familiar with the aroma.

I have been told by fanatics that there is something about the different aromas of coffee which they can tell apart very easily.

This is not an article about the best coffee aromas… it is an analogy to our practice in organizations. Smelling the coffee refers to a recognition or realisation of the status of something. Agreed?

So how does one handle those difficult realizations that entail that they respond? In my book, ENCOUNTERS WITH THE INTIMACY OF CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PRACTICE, I discuss the transition from being the most sought after resource to not being the “flavour of the month” …It is something many may not be ready for and don’t even want to go there in thought, which is totally understandable.

The coffee in some cases, smells so strong that we are literally compelled to deal with it.. drink it or move it along to someone who can, right?

It is important for corporate actors to direct their thoughts into these rather uncomfortable zones and consciously build personal traits to meet themselves and others in the different arenas. Therefore, traits that will preserve integrity, professionalism, foresight and continued personal growth are an absolute must.

Go there with your thoughts. It won’t hurt to think about it, I promise!