“When are you going to make the cards into an app?”
This was a common question when Plucky’s 1:1 Starter Pack released eight (!!!) years ago.
At the time, I knew tons of new managers who didn’t know what TF to do in 1:1s. I suggested a variety of deep questions but the managers were reluctant to use them. They didn’t want to sound, well, cheesy. So I designed and released a deck of cards to help.
ENTER: A PHYSICAL OBJECT.
I sold thousands of these packs (and was very charmed when I ran into them in random offices around the country). Employees looked forward to pulling a card and 1:1s were becoming fun. Still, the question kept coming: Jen, when are you making this into an app?
The answer was, and still is, I’m not. I love the tactile experience of the cards – but that doesn’t mean the content is set in stone.
As I took new professional development trainings, including one focused on neurodivergent coworkers, I knew it was time to update the Starter Pack accordingly. I crafted more specific questions and follow-ups, mined the old deck for biased questions. My designer threw away some categories and added some colors.
Today, I am proud to say that the new and improved 1:1 Starter Pack is here!
If you’ve got an old deck hanging around, it’s time to retire it to eBay and refresh your stash… and if you’ve never owned a deck, what are you waiting for?! I await your orders here in my little office, where I will lovingly pack ’em up and write an encouraging message on the envelope.
Be the manager who shows up with new ideas. Secretly, that’s what everybody on your team is hoping for. <3
Midwest Summer Tour!
Midwest book lovers! I’m headed your way and would love to see you this summer. Deets below:
Event: Columbus Book Festival
Date: Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12
Location: Columbus, OH
Event: Chicago Book Reading & Signing
Date: August 11 at 6:30pm
Location: TBD, Chicago
Haven’t yet picked up a copy? Grab one wherever you get books…
The other day I got in the car, saw this message and felt SEEN. Our family has been living one of the most disrupted seasons of our lives! Most of the travel and opportunities have been very welcome but, combined, it’s been a LOT. I can confide to you in this newsletter that the wheels are starting to fall off. The kids are feeling it.
I wonder how you’re feeling about 2026 so far. Did you do a Day of Big Dreaming at the beginning of the year? Might it be a good time to check in on those goals, your dreams, what you intended and how you might restart those threads this week?
As many of you know, I release a free Career Planning Guide every year and I think May is a good time to check back in with yourself. Download it, share it with a friend, print it out and grab some colored pens.
Intention is grounding. I offer this to you as an excuse to touch base with who and how you are in this very busy world.
xo Jen
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