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, Founder and Chief Honestly Officer of Colleen Honestly. 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.

Read My Letters Add The Reading Room to My Phone

Take The Reading Room on the go. Your letters, one tap away. No sign-in required.

Colleen seated in a bright office, wearing clear glasses, a navy blouse, cream pants, and pearls.

What’s New

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 answers

This is just the beginning.

More honest letters are coming—about work, people, and the things we’re all trying to figure out. Help me decide what comes next.

What’s happening at work?

Need a little guidance, or have a story to tell? Pick your door.

Tell me what’s going on

Not sure what to ask? Start here.

Sample questions written by Colleen Honestly, not reader submissions:

I'm a manager. How do I give honest feedback without crushing someone’s spirit?
My priorities change every day. How do I ask for clarity without sounding difficult?
What should I actually write down after a hard conversation?
How do I tell my manager I have too much on my plate?
I don’t want to be the manager. Does that mean I’m not ambitious?

Share a work story

No names or confidential details, please. Submissions stay private for review; nothing is automatically posted.

Take The Reading Room on the go

Keep Colleen Honestly close by. Add The Reading Room to your phone for easy access to my letters whenever you need one.

Pros

Save your favorite letters.
Keep track of what you haven’t read.
Open the letters from your home screen.
No name or sign-in required.

Cons

Fear of missing out when you realize there’s a letter you haven’t read.
“Just one more letter” becoming your bedtime routine.
Accidentally learning something on your day off.
Finding the perfect comeback three business days too late.
Saying “Colleen wrote about this” until your friends pull up a chair, too.

Add The Reading Room to My Phone

A 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.

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The 48-Hour Rule: Don't React. Don't Avoid. Just Talk.

A letter about giving difficult feedback with clarity, compassion and timely follow-through.

Read the latest letter → Browse all the letters →