Did you forget that December 23rd is the official holiday of Festivus? It is the one day a year to air your grievances! So, I will take a few minutes to air mine. But first a little history of Festivus. Festivus was conceived by author and editor Daniel O’Keefe, the father of TV writer Dan O’Keefe, and was celebrated by his family …
Covid has brought about a heightened level of loneliness for many of us. While I have not stooped to talking to “Wilson:, the volleyball in the movie Castaway, I do spend 8-10 hour stretches many days by my lonesome. My dog Max is often my only companion and he is usually sleeping! My spouse is going into work each day …
Anyone following me knew I would be back with a pre-election special edition of the HR Circus. We are only a couple of days away from election day, and for some you have already cast your vote. Literally and figuratively. So, what is at stake for the HR community? Let us start with the National Labor Relations Board, that organization …
Did you know only 19.3% of persons with a disability were employed in 2019? These sobering numbers are courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. What does that number tell us? That there is a great deal of talent available to fill your openings! We all know untapped resources for talent exist, including individuals with minor challenges and disabilities. …
Let’s end the summer on a light note, as I want to talk about my new obsession, Pickleball. For those who have never heard of it, here is a brief history: Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were …
Baseball has started again. It is my favorite professional sport and although I am famously a Met fan, I want to talk about Joe DiMaggio, a NY Yankee, and heroes for a few minutes. HR needs a hero to look up to, I believe. These are difficult and odd times for all of us. Professional sports led the way with …
I ended 2019 (literally) with my new years’ eve post that Politics has now arrived for all of us in HR. And now it is time for an update. What a month so far! Two of the biggest Supreme Court decisions this century – adding LGBQ protection to Title 7 and DACCA relief, racism taking center stage, and John Bolton’s …
Did you see the last dance on ESPN? Michael Jordan had Scotty Pippen as his wingman. Six Championships, way to go! In the movie Top Gun, Maverick had Goose. Miranda Priestly in the Devil Wears Prada had Nigel. And here on FOT, Kris has Tim – or is it the other way around? My conversation for today centers around the …
Normally this time of year, I would be waxing poetically on the start of the baseball season. But this year I will, out of necessity, pivot to the NFL draft. There are a few important lessons to be learned. Most importantly the world moves on, even in the face of a pandemic. For HR and Talent folks, the main lesson …
“Every adversity contains, at the same time, a seed of equivalent opportunity”. One of many quotes from the controversial Napoleon Hill, an American Self-help author from the early 20th century. I know your probably saying – Mark where did that come from? No, I did not go to my “go to guy” at Fistful of Talent, Paul Herbert, for the …
