Colleen Honestly: Work
Experience is a great teacher. I took notes.
Tools, ideas, and honest reflections—because we shouldn’t have to learn everything the hard way.
I’m Colleen. I write letters about the human side of work, drawing on a career in HR—with honest stories, a little humor, and practical tools you can actually use.
For anyone who leads, supports, or works alongside other humans.
Take The Reading Room on the go. Your letters, one tap away. No sign-in required.
Letters from Colleen
What Can HR Learn From…?
Different jobs. Different worlds. Surprisingly familiar workplace problems.
Explore four sample letters here, from a kindergarten classroom to a machine shop—and yes, a lion tamer. The finished book brings together 75 letters about work from unexpected places.
Explore the four sample letters
The book is written. My curiosity isn’t finished. There are always more jobs—and more lessons—to explore. What could HR learn from yours?
Five Honest Questions
What’s behind “I’m fine”?
Five Honest Questions is a peek at what people are really thinking and feeling when they say they’re fine. Five questions, anonymous answers, the stuff that doesn’t always come out when you ask, “How are you doing?”
Read the latest answersA gentle reminder: I’m an HR person, but I’m not your HR person. These letters are informational only and don’t replace medical, legal, or advice specific to your workplace. Your company policies, benefit plans, state laws, and circumstances can change the answer. Check with your own HR or benefits contact, review your specific plan documents, and consult the appropriate medical or legal professional.
If you’re looking for real advice from me: never volunteer while someone is still explaining what they need. That one’s on the house.
Latest letter
Letters from Me
Pumpkin Spice, Peppermint, and the Handoff
A letter about changing seasons, noticing what matters, and leaving room in your cup for what’s next.
Read the latest letter → Browse all the letters →
On my bookshelf
On my bookshelf
What Can HR Learn From…?
75 short letters about what HR can learn from unexpected places—from kindergarten classrooms to machine shops.
Take a peek on Amazon →50 Funny HR & Workplace Puzzles
A little workplace humor and something to solve. Fifty puzzles for HR professionals and anyone who works with people, including word searches, crosswords, word scrambles, cryptograms, mazes, and dot-to-dot puzzles—with answers included.
View the puzzle book on Amazon →