Essays – Brad G. Philbrick & Company

When Work Quietly Changes Direction

Brad G. Philbrick & Company — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 15:59:04 +0000

For many years, my professional life followed a familiar rhythm.

There were meetings, conferences, and luncheons — gatherings where people exchanged business cards, discussed projects, and looked for opportunities to collaborate. These events were valuable. They were part of the ecosystem of a working career.

Relationships mattered. Conversations often led to new work. Networking, as the modern term goes, was how things were done.

But occasionally life changes direction in ways that are almost imperceptible at first.

The change doesn’t arrive with a dramatic announcement. It happens quietly.

You attend the same kind of event you’ve attended for decades, and somewhere during the conversation — or perhaps during the drive home — you realize something has shifted.

Your work is no longer the same.

The Observation

When that moment arrives, it can feel strangely disorienting.

For years, we have built habits around our profession. We show up where we are expected. We talk about the projects we are working on. We look for the next opportunity.

But writing — real writing — moves differently.

It grows less through networking and more through attention.

Attention to the small details of experience.
Attention to memory.
Attention to the moments that quietly shape who we become.

The Quiet Pivot

There comes a point when the center of gravity moves.

The work that once required conference rooms and introductions now happens elsewhere entirely.

At a desk.

On a walk.

In the recollection of a moment from childhood that suddenly reveals more meaning than it once seemed to hold.

This shift is not a rejection of what came before. Careers evolve. Interests deepen — the questions we want to explore change as well.

But the work itself becomes more inward.

Less transactional.
More reflective.

Closing Reflection

Perhaps this is what writing really asks of us.

Not constant motion.

But attention.

The world, after all, is full of moments that once seemed ordinary — until we pause long enough to notice what they meant.

And sometimes the most important changes in our lives arrive not as loud declarations, but as quiet realizations that the work we are meant to do has gently found its way to us.

Negotiation: A Major Role in Your Success

Brad G. Philbrick & Company — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:34:22 +0000

An intriguing article on Be a Master Negotiator appeared in the week of October 28, 2024, issue of IBD Weekly.

Michael Mink wrote the article. He references several experts in negotiation, all of whom offer stellar advice.

Whether you are a nonprofit seeking to hire a grant proposal writer or a consultant looking to contract as a grant writer seeking a new client, there is negotiation.

As Scott Walker, a former Scotland Yard detective and negotiator, stated, “Life is full of negotiations whether we realize it or not.”

It is said often, but it bears repeating: Prepare thoroughly. The nonprofit should find out what it can from the potential consultant, and the consultant must understand the nonprofit’s mission, goals, needs, and cultural aspects. What do you want to achieve? What is your ideal outcome? Both sides have an idea of what an acceptable offer is.

Another critical point in Michael Mink’s article is quoting Scott Walker again from his book Order Out of Chaos: Win Every Negotiation, “The key to great negotiation is to remember it is not about you. Focus on the other person’s needs, listen deeply, and show empathy.”

“When people feel seen, heard, and understood, they are more likely to work with you,” is another essential point, states Scott Walker.

Establishing trust creates better dialogue and helps produce positive outcomes. Active listening is vital to effective negotiation, which relies on understanding the other party’s needs, pain points, and perspective.

Another essential point, which you’ve no doubt read before but bear repeating, is to use open-ended questions. Encourage the other party to elaborate on their needs and constraints. Discovering their needs allows you to gain insights and reveal possible trade-offs.

Often overlooked, body language, tone, and composure significantly impact how your message is received. Negotiations to seek help with grants or any writing seldom require complex terms, which are found in law enforcement or military actions. Still, avoid sounding aggressive or defensive. Stay calm and confident.

Mink wrote, “Every Negotiation interaction is an opportunity to learn more about the other person.”

The IBD article then quoted Chip Massey, a former FBI negotiator, “When we work with executives, we can see a remarkable shift in their demeanor after we say, ‘I was thinking about our last conversation.’” “This simple, repeatable technique works so well. Those who use it will gain trust, respect, and influence—immediately.”

Years ago, I learned to focus on solutions and not positions. One does this by separating emotions from issues while approaching the negotiation with empathy. Seek win-win solutions. Do not pursue solely your own goals. Look for mutual gains. Find areas where both parties’ interests align to strengthen the deal, make it possible, and make it sustainable.

Patience is a virtue. How often have we heard that? Good negotiations take time. Avoid the urge to agree prematurely. Allow space for thoughtful consideration and reflection.

Last, summarize and confirm the agreement. Ensure that both parties have a mutual understanding and clarity. Misunderstandings lead to hurt feelings and a tarnished relationship.

The points referenced in Michael Minks’ article and points from my own experience offer a balanced approach to negotiation. It combines tactical skills with relationship-building techniques. This approach can empower both sides to negotiate confidently and effectively in both personal and professional matters.

Working with Inept Vendors, Clients, and Supervisors: When to Hold Them and When to Fold Them

Brad G. Philbrick & Company — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 20:35:28 +0000

Dealing with inept vendors, clients, or fellow team members can be one of the most frustrating experiences in any professional setting. It can be the vendor who fails to deliver, an indecisive client, a supervisor who lacks leadership skills, or all these challenges; these challenges can derail a project, strain your patience, and affect your mental well-being. But how do you navigate such a tricky situation while maintaining professionalism and keeping your sanity?

Let’s explore strategies for handling ineptitude in the workplace and provide guidelines on when to consider stepping away.

Identify the Root of Ineptitude

Some refer to this as root cause analysis. Before making any rash decisions, it’s crucial to pinpoint what the ineptitude is due to:

Lack of communication: Often, misunderstandings occur from poor communication rather than a lack of skill.
Lack of experience or knowledge: Sometimes vendors, clients, or supervisors are inexperienced or unfamiliar with specific topics or expertise.
Inflexibility or stubbornness: This happens when individuals refuse to take advice or change course despite evidence that their approach or application is not working.

Understanding the source can help you tailor your approach, whether through offering additional guidance, clarifying expectations, or opening lines of communication.

Establish Clear Communication Channels

When dealing with inept individuals, whether your vendor, client, or a fellow team member, the obscurity of communication can magnify frustrations.

Set expectations early: Establish project goals, deliverables, timelines, and roles initially to avoid confusion later.
Document everything: Recording emails, meeting notes, and agreed-upon tasks provides a paper trail, making it easier to track accountability.
Ask for clarification: If directives or instructions are or contradict prior agreements, ask specific questions to clarify

Effective communication often prevents numerous issues from snowballing into more significant conflicts.

Be Patient, but Set Boundaries

When working with an inept leader, vendor, or client, it’s easy to fall prey to a negative mindset; instead of focusing on the problem, focus on solutions:

Anticipate potential issues: If your supervisor is slow to make decisions, your client tends to micromanage, and your consultants fail to provide guidance, you must plan for such challenges.
Provide alternatives: When you see something is not working, don’t highlight the issue—offer a few other options.
Facilitate decision-making: When indecision is a recurring problem, try simplifying decisions, narrowing choices, and making decisions easier.

Taking the initiative improves your experience and may empower the inept individual to perform better.

Know When to Walk Away

There comes a time when continuing to work with someone inept becomes detrimental to you. Here are some signs it’s time to walk away:

Toxic environment: Articles abound on toxic work environments and relationships. If the business relationship evolves into constant negativity, emotional strain, or a poisonous atmosphere, it’s better to leave than stay in an unhealthy situation.
Unreasonable expectations: If the wrongful individual or supervisor refuses to respect your time, imposes unrealistic demands, or consistently fails to meet commitments, it might be a sign that things won’t improve.
Stagnant progress: If the project is perpetually stuck in the same issues without any sign of forward momentum, and all your efforts to resolve these issues have been in vain, it may be time to reassess your involvement.
Damage to your reputation or well-being: If their ineptitude threatens your professional reputation or mental well-being, it’s essential to prioritize yourself. No project is worth your health or future career opportunities.

How to Exit Gracefully

If you decide it’s time to walk away, how you exit can impact your professional reputation:

Offer to help with the transition: While you may want to leave quickly, helping hand off the project shows professionalism and goodwill.
Be honest but tactful: When explaining your decision, focus on facts. For example, highlight the mismatch between project goals and the current working dynamics rather than pointing fingers.
Leave on good terms: Maintaining cordiality, even in a frustrating situation, opens the door for future opportunities with the client or supervisor—or at least avoids burning bridges.

Conclusion

Working with inept clients, vendors, fellow team members, and supervisors can be challenging, but you can mitigate the damage by maintaining clear communication, setting boundaries, and focusing on solutions. However, it’s equally important to recognize when to walk away, especially if your mental health or professional integrity is on the line. Ultimately, your career and well-being deserve protection, even if it means stepping away from a dysfunctional project.

If I Had Settled in Montana

Brad Philbrick — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 02:03:50 +0000

If I Had Settled in Montana

A short essay by Brad Philbrick

A weekend in Montana last January caused me to reflect on my life. I was about ten years old the last time I was in Montana. I had a magnificent time with friends who were remarkable hosts! I kept pondering, asking myself, “What if I had moved to Montana?”

I flew into Bozeman, a college town and home of Montana State University. My friend Jack went to school there and now works as an account executive for a software company. He met me at the airport, and it began an unforgettable weekend!

If only I had moved to Montana. Instead, I settled in Indiana after graduating from pharmacy school at North Dakota State University Fargo.

I’ve always loved the mountains. Why did I not follow my classmate, Jim Vachal’s lead and move to Montana? I don’t recall the details, but he moved to Scoby, Montana, to run a small retail pharmacy there. I don’t know if it was a family or friend connection, but he loved it there. I know the answer; it is more of a rhetorical question. The one reason I did was the ease of getting a pharmacy job. So many friends and classmates moved to Indiana to work for SupeRx Drugs, a chain at the time that was part of Kroger, the nation’s largest grocery chain.

Indiana is a pleasant state, and I like it here, but it’s still nothing like the Rocky Mountains. Indiana has beautiful state parks, rolling hills in southern Indiana, and sandstone ravines that provide the state with beauty. Northern Indiana has a chain of spring-fed lakes that reminds me of my Minnesota roots.

Of course, everyone knows of the Indianapolis 500, the greatest spectacle in racing. If you are a race car fan, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway hosts a NASCAR event and a Sports car race. NHRA U.S. Nationals take place in Indianapolis over Labor Day weekend. But I’m not a big race car buff.

If I hadn’t moved to Montana, I guess I could have moved to Wyoming, maybe Idaho, or Colorado, but I still think Montana is the most attractive. When I was a kid, family vacations were to Wyoming to see Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton, Glacier National Park, and Banff National Park in Canada.

Dad drove across North Dakota, Montana, and the Idaho panhandle to Seattle one year. Mount Rainier impressed me. I also saw Puget Sound, The Space Needle, and other sites. Still, Montana was always my favorite.

Then there are the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore, and the beginning of the Crazy Horse sculpture. I keep thinking of all the states I’ve visited, young and old, but the biggest lure is Montana.

I still remember many towns: Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, Miles City, Havre, Libby, Anaconda, Whitefish, Butte, Kalispell, and Shelby. But of course, I liked the towns in the mountains. Reflecting on this, I probably would have strived to find work in cities around Glacier National Park. Whitefish and Kalispell would be my favorite choices.

What would I have done when I found out I got bored with pharmacy, the tediousness of the profession with little opportunity for creativity? In the 1970s and early 1980s, Montana did not have as many opportunities for biomedical sales. If I were to land a sales job, I would have a much larger territory geographically than in Indiana because of the lower population and fewer account possibilities.

Still, with my determination and persistence, I would land a sales position calling on hospitals, Montana’s two major universities, and businesses in the state.

Software was only beginning to take off, and the use of computers was more prevalent. I could have become a software sales representative as healthcare began to go digital, as nearly all businesses did. Reflecting, I think I would have made a go of it in Montana being a sales representative. What products or services I would have sold is hard to tell. Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, software, professional services? While I may be uncertain about some things, I am confident that I would have discovered a new career and found a way to escape the mundane routine of pharmacy.

Whatever sales career that I carved out for myself, I still would find myself finding writing. Like in Indiana, I would find myself offering book reviews, helping write product descriptions, and contributing to the company newsletter.

I would embrace the outdoors and take in all the splendor of Big Sky country. Who knows, but Montana’s beauty could easily inspire me to write about my outdoor experiences.

While working as a pharmacist and later starting a sales career, I found ways to embrace and savor the beautiful outdoors of Montana. I would take up fly fishing for trout. I would enjoy hiking in the mountains. I could see myself learning about mountain climbing. Big game hunting, I do not know. I did not do much of that when I lived in Minnesota. But still, my new friends could easily entice me to venture out and try it.

I would discover what kind of birds to hunt in Montana. I’ve duck hunted before, but that does not excite me much. The best time to go duck hunting is on a cold and rainy day because the ducks fly low then. I would be standing in a lake or stream, waiting for ducks to fly over while soaking wet. Where is the fun in that? But standing in a river in July or August, fly fishing would quickly become a passion.

The whole science and art of fishing for trout would pique my interest. How fun it would be to create my trout flies. I know the technical aspects of rods, reels, lines, and all the gear required to venture fly fishing. Then, one learns what trout eat at certain times of the year so that one may match the right bait or flies at that specific time of year to catch trout.

I loved fishing in Minnesota. Fly fishing would be my new favorite way to fish, but I still would want a boat and go fishing on a lake, catching bass, walleyed pike, crappies, and hopefully a brown or lake trout.

If I were not working or skiing in winter, I would enjoy making flies for my spring and summer pastimes.

How could I forget skiing? I love to ski! I skied in Minnesota and Michigan as a teenager and in my early 20s. That is not the same as skiing in the mountains! I remember going to Colorado to ski while attending North Dakota State. Those were adventures that I never told my parents about. I had a great time with friends, and I cherish and fondly remember those memories today! Skiing would be a significant part of my winter activities. Then, I would discover snowboarding. I know I would check that out. I believe anyone who makes a home in Montana inevitably becomes an outdoorsman. How can one not?

A career in Montana could quickly evolve into grant writing, some other nonprofit work, or perhaps working at a hospital but finding a way to change roles. My determination and dreams would have still brought me to a fulfilling career in Montana.

I don’t have any regrets about living in Indiana. It’s a beautiful state, and Indianapolis is a wonderful city. However, I embrace the outdoors and love hiking, the scenery, and the beauty of the mountains. It would have been so much better to have lived there.

As I aged and settled into a writing career in Montana, the lure of academia and what a college town offers would make me find myself living in Bozeman or Missoula. I visited my college towns in the Midwest; they are all great cities. Ideally, I would like a lake home. I would research the best lake areas near Bozeman and the best lake for a home.

But I’ve embraced Indiana. It possesses its unique beauty: rolling hills in southern Indiana and gorgeous state parks with waterfalls, caves, and sandstone quarries. Turkey Run has hiking trails to take in the beauty of deep ravines. Northern Indiana reminds me of my roots in Minnesota because of a chain of lakes.

Academically, it’s beautiful; Indiana University boasts a top-notch business school and arguably the best music school in the country. Indiana is a biotechnology hub in the country, the third leading state of biotechnology exports. There are a lot of things going on in the state of Indiana. It is not the mountains, and it’s as simple as that. I’ve embraced Indiana, and I love the Hoosier state. I’m proud to be an Indiana resident, but what would my life be if I had carved out a career in Montana instead of Indiana?