If you have an employee who takes up more than their fair share of time, a recent Society of Human Resource Management article says you first need to understand why before you can take appropriate steps. The employee may be insecure or lack the necessary experience to complete the assigned task. Insecurity can come from low […]
Empathy is a growing expectation among today’s workforce. Experts say employees work harder for someone they believe cares about them and their unique needs. But when there is a difference between how the employer thinks an employee feels and how the employee actually feels, an empathy gap occurs. One example of an empathy gap is when a […]
When managers hoard talent, they may think they’re protecting their turf. But according to Gallup, they’re actually driving the best people away. When great employees realize they won’t be given opportunities to move up, they’ll look for work outside the company. Gallup recommends these approaches to those responsible for managing human capital. Realize you may already have […]
Studies have shown that well-managed, diverse teams outperform homogenous teams. But, even companies with the best intentions struggle to create the inclusive workforces they say they seek. Since bias in recruitment, selection and development is extremely hard to eliminate, HBR recommends interrupting it. The first step is to understand how bias plays out in everyday workplace interactions. For […]
New York TimesColumnist Maya Salam wrote recently about the unintended consequences of the ‘Me Too’ movement, and the harm it could be doing to women in business. Salam says she’s increasingly learning of men who refuse to have any contact with female colleagues for fear of being accused of inappropriate behavior. Since men still dominate leadership […]
There are many reasons why an employee may feel job insecurity. Whatever the reason, it can impact productivity and the company’s bottom line. The solution may be in supportive managers. Research shows that job insecurity significantly decreases the odds of employee engagement. Gallup says the odds of engagement decrease by thirty-seven percent among employees who think their jobs […]
At some point in our lives, most us feel broken. If we lose a job, a loved-one or suffer a debilitating illness, we can begin to believe that this is our new and permanent normal. Oprah.com contributor Mark Nepo offers these four tips that will help you turn loss into strength. Accept the weather. Being tossed and turned […]
Sometimes, we spend a great deal of time dwelling on why results fell below expectations. That’s a good practice if your plan is to use what you learn to do better next time. Now, here’s my question: do you invest the same amount of time dwelling on your successes? There’s also a lot to learn when things go well. […]
I hear from leaders I coach that they’re concerned about how their employees are doing, but they’re afraid to intrude and overstep their boundaries. An article in the Washington Post argues that allowing loneliness to set in is a health risk. We humans are social beings. Research shows that people who live alone, or report feeling lonely, […]
A recent study at Australia’s RMIT University revealed that long-term job insecurity can make people less emotionally stable, less agreeable and less conscientious. The study used national data to answer questions about job security and personality for more than one thousand employees over nine years. They found that the personality traits affected were tied to reliably […]
A recent article from McKinsey & Company urges businesses to rethink their approach to hiring, education and retention. They suggest a focus on life-long employability to save money and reduce turnover. How? When hiring, think competence, not college. Degrees aren’t the end-all-be-all for every job, nor do they guarantee mastery of a body of knowledge. Look to coding boot […]
Buddhist tradition describes three styles of compassionate leadership. In a recent Harvard Business Review article, the Dalai Lama described how these styles operate. The Trailblazer is someone who leads from the front, takes risks and sets an example. The Ferryman accompanies those in his care and manages the ups and downs of the crossing. The Shepherd sees everyone of […]
Have you ever received feedback and wondered, “Where on earth did that come from?” It seems so not like you, hard to believe, downright wrong. Of course, sometimes, feedback is based on misperception. And, at other times, it may be a precious gift you don’t want to accept. Feedback that sounds foreign – unlike anything […]
Here are four quick tips from Harvard Business Review that can help you adapt to the unusual work conditions sparked by the Coronavirus. Try to accept that each coworker copes differently. Some might be optimistic and others pessimistic. Some may have trouble finding a quiet place to work or be worried about older relatives. Circumstances for each person vary, […]
Is your workplace progressive, designed to promote thinking and innovating? While our knowledge-based economy has changed how we conduct business, vestiges of the old way still weigh employees down. Harvard Business Review says tethering employees to email is a big concern. Does your company use email for urgent, time-sensitive communication? Do you or others in the company expect […]
Intense business demands can lead to highly task-focused leaders whose myopic approach to getting things done can be productive and it can be harmful, especially if they view people-focused activities as inefficient and a waste of time. Because, nothing could be further from the truth. The Harvard Business Review says it’s just as important to focus on […]
McKinsey & Company says it’s a myth that continuous improvement is only for manufacturing companies looking to control costs. Continuous improvement should be part of every company’s strategy. For example, by communicating a compelling vision and connecting it to each employee’s daily work, one international theatre chain tapped into the power of frontline workers to generate […]
Are you holding on to processes or practices that no longer serve anyone or can be handled more efficiently? While the current practice was a great solution years ago, the problem that led to a particular work-around no longer exists or maybe technology is helping you do it better. For example, there might be a report […]
There’s an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Going together means delegating to or collaborating with others. But doing so successfully can be challenging. Executive coach Helen Baxter-Southworth and team dynamics expert Russ Forrester say these five values and behaviors hold the key to working […]
One of the biggest challenges in achieving success is learning to be uncomfortable. Whenever we try anything new, we push up against our comfort zone and growing edge. That’s where our comfort level ends, and where the new and different await. To discover the new, you have to push past your existing mental and emotional boundaries and […]
