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Spetner: On the path to mastery, one must appreciate grunt work

The senior corporate adviser at Weber Shandwick recounts a recent epiphany, and extols the virtues of "grunt work" in PR.

Spetner: Sometimes in PR, you can't win them all

Spetner recalls a time when he found the emperor had no clothes, and why it really didn't matter

Spetner: Firing people sucks...but sometimes it's the best option

It's never pleasant, but keeping an underperforming employee on staff can have far worse consequences.

Spetner: When in doubt, take the first step back

It's much easier to point out challenges and obstacles after you've built rapport with management.

Spetner: I'd rather be lucky than smart

Lefty Gomez, an all-star pitcher for the New York Yankees in the 1930's, is credited with saying "I'd rather be lucky than good." I think he had it right.

Get ready for the next downturn

Once you've lived awhile, you come to appreciate that there are cycles, and the last economic recession was almost 10 years ago.

I talked to Chuck, but could only think of my stained shirt

Lessons learned from a big interview and a big shirt stain.

Suffering remains optional, no matter how big the dent

A con man took my cash, but left me a little smarter

An expensive swindle results in a temporary loss of self-confidence but a life-long lesson learned.

Spending less than you make