Author Archives: Cindy Gross | She-Her | Befriending Dragons

Why hire a coach?

What keeps you from hiring a coach? People facing tough environments and difficult people at work often come looking for advice, but I’ve learned a coach gets you further, faster. Get curious about YOU, tell me what keeps you from thriving and schedule time with me now. #BefriendingDragons #WorkplaceThrival #Thrive #AntiBullying #AntiHarassment #Equity #Gender #RaceContinue reading “Why hire a coach?”

Land Acknowledgments

A land acknowledgement is a way to recognize and respect Native peoples and their relationship with the land we colonizers stole from them. It also strengthens everyone’s relationship to nature, the lands we occupy, and the communities our dominant cultures often never take the time to see.

When Should White People Quote MLK?

When should white people quote Martin Luther King, Jr.? I’ve heard many Black anti-racism advocates say the answer is somewhere between when we deeply understand how to not whitewash his quotes and never, ever, ever. So for any white folks reading this, here’s why we should follow this very reasonable request: Believe Black people whenContinue reading “When Should White People Quote MLK?”

Taming the Inbox Dragons

It’s time for an inbox cleanse. I do this periodically, and it never lasts. I can get close to the coveted “inbox zero” for a few days, and then it creeps back up. I’ve tried tools and techniques and timers and rules…. And still several times this year I’ve had many thousands of emails in my inbox. I can just see my inner dragons settling comfortably on top of the hoard of emails, nestling in and getting comfortable.
So as a generative coach, how do I coach myself to deal with this?

Remotely Biased – A Befriending Dragons Story

Last week @VeniKunche tweeted asking for “remote work” tips for managers. I immediately replied with a whole string of tips that reduce bias. Veni said, hey, blog that. And I thought, sure, that’s easy. And yet here it is, days later, and I hadn’t written much more than a paragraph until I accepted Amy Cuddy’sContinue reading “Remotely Biased – A Befriending Dragons Story”

Reclaiming My Voice, Becoming Me – A Befriending Dragons Story

In the mornings I search my closet to find the perfect outfit that shows I’m technical enough, I’m smart enough, I fit in. One day I wear a skirt, and my manager can’t seem to process it, I have gone outside his expectations. He flips to the script of “this is a woman, not aContinue reading “Reclaiming My Voice, Becoming Me – A Befriending Dragons Story”

Befriending Dragons Happy Hour

I have so many thoughts and ideas about where my passion will lead me next. I haven’t yet settled on any one thing for a new career, so I went back to the basics. Listen. Listen to my community. I envision my community as marginalized people in tech. So I have started a meetup groupContinue reading “Befriending Dragons Happy Hour”

Befriending Dragons | #Words4Justice

Today is my last official day at Microsoft. I no longer feel safe, comfortable, or valued working in tech. Going forward I’ll be working to actively disrupt tech culture and systems to reduce harassment and discrimination. Keep an eye on #Words4Justice. 😊 Be kind. Be brave. Go beyond ally to accomplice to actively disrupt bullying and discrimination. cindygross@outlook.com @cindygrossContinue reading “Befriending Dragons | #Words4Justice”

Windows Hyper-V Dragon

After all these years soaring through the data world, from SQL Server 1.11 all the way through today’s modern Big Data technologies, I am making a flight adjustment. My next adventure will be in the land of the Windows Hypervisor: Hyper-V. Last week I started working with my new team and I am already learning to corralContinue reading “Windows Hyper-V Dragon”

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