We spend a fair bit of time in our little shop talking about how to work with sophisticated hiring managers vs. unsophisticated managers. This has nothing to do with liking caviar vs. Cheez Whiz. It has more to do with Sean Penn thinking he’s a journalist. Sophisticated hiring managers have enough reps under their belt to know how to play …
Kick-Start Your HR Creativity in 2020 with these Two Lessons
The Thin Red Line. Fight Club. American Psyco. These are films that solidified Jared Leto‘s success as an Oscar-winning actor. Then, as his star was rising, he basically stopped making movies. “I think it was about focus. I knew that I needed to commit everything to music at that point in my life,” said Leto. Fast Company interviewed Jared Leto and …
Mandatory Manager Skill: Showing Confidence & Support When You’re Not Feeling It
Being a manager is full of things that are simple, yet hard. Perhaps no better example of this exists than showing confidence in team members who are struggling from a performance perspective. You’re not sure they’ll get over the hump, and one thing’s for sure – if you look like you don’t believe, they 100% won’t get over the hump …
Leaders: If You Are Not A Great Listener, You Are A Great Pretender
Being an active listener is hard. I work as an HR consultant/trainer for some incredible firms (including KinetixHR, Recruiting Toolbox, and naturally, Dawn Burke HR). Whether conducting training for corporate leaders, HR pros, recruiters, hiring managers, or coaches, there is one significant obstacle all face and struggle to conquer – active listening. My eight year-old-niece would say, “a-doy.” My husband …
Confessions of a Class Migrant
Learning How To Navigate White-Collar Workplaces, When You Suddenly Can Afford A Compass Reading the Harvard Business Review’s article on Why Companies Should Add Class To Their Diversity Discussion gave me new words to something I have been feeling for years. Classism is the elephant in the room that we refuse to address when we talk about equity and inclusion. The …
Developing Your Team: Three Types of People (And Why You’re The Problem)
Note – Was in Boston this week training a great group of managers in Coaching Skills from our Boss Leadership Series, and this topic came up. So I tracked down this past post and am republishing for those 21 managers. Enjoy team and good luck back at your location! You wish your team would accept greater responsibility. Why don’t they …
4 Critical Steps for Success as a New CHRO
Starting anything new is a bit daunting. A new exercise program. A new school. Sporting a new hairstyle. The internal questions of “Am I ready for this? Will I make friends? Is the “Rachel” really back?” will bubble in the pit of your stomach. Starting a new gig, especially a leadership role, builds even more intense emotions. Starting a new …
How To Manage Your CEO If They Think “They Are A Terrible Person”
CEO’s are only human. They have a tough job with high stress. Naturally, there are going to be times where their judgment will lapse, even to the point where they may do “terrible” things. But how do you, HR pro, manage that? A few days ago I read a fascinating article in Vanity Fair called “I’m a Terrible Person”: Behind …
Get KD’s New Book: THE 9 FACES OF HR
It’s true. I just launched a book and it is doing well. It’s called THE 9 FACES OF HR. If you like reading The HR Capitalist or Fistful of Talent, you’re going to like the book and you should check it out. Here’s the summary from Amazon for your consideration: “Popular blogger and CHRO Kris Dunn presents a hard, but compelling reality: every HR professional on …
Management Fads Come and Go, But Here’s an Oldie You Should Get on Board With
Management fads come and go, but one thing never changes — the fact that that most management fads don’t seem to last. That’s why I was surprised when I saw this recent Wall Street Journal article touting “agile management” as the hot, new management trend. My doubt was fueled by the third paragraph of the Journal story that openly admitted …