Richard Maun

Author: moderncareers

  • Crow Does… Asking

    Some sun, a wedding and a thought for us all.
    Some sun, a wedding and a thought for us all.

    Hello again! Caw! It’s me, Crow, back for a second week. Richard has asked me to ‘deputise’ for him. What a cheek! I’m the real power behind the throne…as we all know…

    And what a lovely sunny week we’ve had and with that wedding too. I must admit that I had to wipe away a tear or two.

    The bride looked lovely, the groom smiled all day and his bonkers relations behaved themselves, so it all worked out well for Katrina and Wally – two of my favourite sparrows.

    We’ve only just taken down the bunting from the tree and tidied up the place, so it’s been a fun weekend for everyone. And when one of the silly pigeons sniped that Kat’s just a common house sparrow, I gave him a piece of my bird brain:

    “Background doesn’t matter,” I said, “she’s a lovely bird, they’re marrying for love and Wally had to ask for her wing. She didn’t just give it.”

    Which reminds me, if there’s something you would like then go ahead and ask for it. Whether it’s an order confirmation, a kiss, or breakfast in bed – you can assert yourself and get your needs met.

    Now, I need to go and ask the pigeons to cough up towards the wedding present we all chipped in for: A fabulous en-suite bird bath. A perfect addition to any nest.

    Caw! Thanks for reading this and see you soon. Bye!

  • Crow Does… Weasel Words

    Watch out for weasel words ...and pigeons.
    Watch out for weasel words …and pigeons.

    Caw! It’s me, your favourite Crow! Hello! Richard is too full of Easter eggs and says he needs to rest a bit so has asked me to step in for the next two weeks. Personally I think he’s asleep in the garden.

    And, being a bird, I’m not entirely in favour of you all eating eggs! I mean! Come on…that’s a bit insulting to us birds isn’t it!? Can’t you find something else, such as a chocolate cucumber?

    Anyway, my message this week to all you non-birds is to be alert. On the telly we’ve had Spring Watch, Badger Watch and Kate Humble Watch. And now we need Weasel Word Watch.

    A pigeon was being mean to one of my sparrow friends and told him that ‘people didn’t like him’. Not very nice was it? Well anyway the word ‘people’ used in this way is a weasel word….because it stands for ‘I’. The pigeon was too cowardly to say ‘I don’t like you’, so he pretended there were ‘other people’ involved. What a weasel!

    Well, a pigeon. Much the same thing!

    If a boss-bird says to you: ‘People say that you need to make some improvements’ …then look them in the eye and ask them:

    A) Who exactly are these ‘people’ ?

    B) What exactly do you mean by ‘some improvements’ ?

    ‘People’ and ‘some’ can be weasel words because the person using them is hiding behind them, instead of you giving you honest and objective feedback.

    Assert yourself and ask for the facts behind the statement. It’s often the case that you’re doing fine and that someone else just thinks you’re not: the evidence is in your favour.

    In the case of my sparrow friend, he’s a great laugh and has loads of friends. So, don’t let your Easter week get spoiled by any pigeons with weasel words. Have fun! I’m back next week. Caw!