Help Build a Network of Support for International Development Professionals

If you’re new here, you may want to sign up for my free email newsletter. Thanks for visiting!“I shouldn’t complain and vent so much to my team about our projects,” admitted Annette (not her real name) during one of our coaching sessions. As the country director of an international development contractor, she is the only […]

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Working Moms (and Dads) in International Development (Part 2: The Trade-offs)

Raising children while pursuing a career in international development is not for the fainthearted. In speaking with working moms in development about the challenges – and benefits – of being a working mom in this field, I heard about several themes. Travel, of course, is a critical issue. Working moms also shared about the trade-offs […]

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Working Moms in International Development (Part 1: Surviving Travel)

What are the challenges – and benefits – of being a working mom in international development? To celebrate Mother’s Day, I gathered answers to this question from aid & international development professionals who are also moms. Their input highlighted a variety of issues, including travel, balancing one’s career with a spouse’s or with the needs […]

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5 Ways to Identify Your Strengths

If you want to rock your career, you’ve got to play to your strengths. But to do that, first you have to figure out what they are. Here are 5 ways to identify your strengths. I write, think, and coach a lot about the importance of playing to your strengths in order to have a […]

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Why Reading a Comic Book is Good for Your Career

Read a comic book – it’s good for your career! Well, not just any comic book. I recommend “The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need.” It is, hands down, the most unique and entertaining career management book I’ve ever read. And its career advice is solid – six essential lessons […]

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4 Ways to Make Your Own Luck

In some parts of the world, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17 by wearing green clothing, drinking green beer, and dyeing the local river green. Although this particular holiday will pass pretty much unnoticed here in Manila, my thoughts at this time of year turn to the topic of luck, and the fascinating research […]

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12 Reasons You Won’t Quit Your Job in International Development

Why do international development professionals stay in jobs that they don’t enjoy, don’t play to their strengths, don’t align with their values, and don’t make them happy? I have observed 12 reasons. My list of reasons is sparked by an intriguing piece on “Why You Won’t Quit Your Job” that I read recently on the […]

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Development Crossroads Wins “Best New Blog of 2011”

I am thrilled and delighted to announce that Development Crossroads has been named Best New Blog of 2011 in the Aid Bloggers’ Best Awards (ABBAs)! It is definitely an honor simply to be nominated among such impressive bloggers – so to actually win is amazing. I started this blog because I believe that it’s possible to […]

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Why Your International Development Colleagues Ought to Be Your Friends

When I was growing up in Mexico, February 14 was celebrated as much as a day focused on friendship (Día de la Amistad) as it was about romantic love. I think this is fitting. Friends play such a critical role in our lives – and not just in our personal lives, but at work as […]

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Take a Chance on Me

Two days ago, I received a Tweet, encouraging people to vote for the 2011 Aid Bloggers’ Best Awards (or ABBAs). To help spread the word to others, I immediately retweeted the message, planning to click through to the link later, and cast my votes for my favorites. I didn’t get around to it before shutting […]

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