I’m in Iceland as I am writing this, so naturally, adventure is on my mind. Anyone who has visited Iceland will tell you it’s unlike any trip they’ve ever taken. One day you are in the middle of a lush, green field leading to a massive waterfall, the next day traveling between snow-capped mountains, while the next day you’re making …
“Mr. Spicoli, What’s Your Reason for Your Truancy?”
“Fast Times at Ridgemont High“. One of the all-time greatest flicks with almost as many life-affirming lines as “The Big Lebowski“. Sean Penn played the iconic Jeff Spicoli, who more than once was late for class, causing Mr. Hand great frustration. Mr. Hand: Mr. Spicoli, what’s your reason for your truancy? Jeff Spicoli: I just couldn’t make it on time. …
Rethinking Retirement
How much have you thought about retirement? If you’re a generation Y or Z-er then your answer is probably “not much”. But if you’re an X-er, an old X-er like me, then it’s probably been on the regular playlist in your mind for a while. After all, some of the most fortunate in our generation are retiring. So playing …
Confessions of a Serial Work Spouse
“Work spouse” is a phrase, mostly in American English, referring to a co-worker, usually of the opposite gender, with whom one shares a special relationship, having bonds like those of a marriage. I know this phrase is still considered taboo, but let’s be real, we’ve all used it, and maybe have even had a work spouse. In fact, 23% of …
5 Steps for Preventing Recruiter Burnout
My grandmother worked at a General Motors metal fabrication plant, raised five daughters, had the most wonderful dinner on the table each night, looked absolutely beautiful at all times, and never once complained of burnout! She might have had a nightly cocktail or two, but no burnout! But, that was back when kids walked to school, uphill, both ways. Nowadays, …
Hold the Mayo–How to Help the Sandwich Generation Work
I have a young daughter who, like most, is a non-stop source of energy and fatigue for me and my husband. Between school, camps, athletics, UIL, Girl Scouts, CAD class, and the guitar gathering dust in the corner, there is a significant shortage of downtime. Add to the mix aging parents, geographic distance, two demanding jobs, and a 90lb rescue …
The Plane Isn’t Free Falling, But You Still Need to Put Your Oxygen Mask on First.
The person who gave me my start in HR also gifted me with a book, “Managing Transitions” by William Bridges. At the time I was going through a professional change and my organization was in flux–the book was much appreciated. Fast forward almost 28 years (yes, I started my career at 12) and I still revisit that book whenever I …
It’s Okay for You to Fail
It’s time to discuss improving employee engagement. Or is it employee experience? Who knows anymore? All I know is we continue to work our butts off to find that secret sauce that will ensure employees connect with the company and pledge their eternal soul to you in HR, the department they work in, and the organization as a whole–yet nothing …
Are You Useful? The Ultimate Management Question.
I started today’s post with the idea to riff on JTBD (that’s “jobs to be done” for those in Rio Linda), a point of view pioneered by Harvard business professor Clayton Christensen. JTBD is the idea that people don’t buy what you sell–they hire out a job to achieve an objective. Approaching your business in this way opens up additional …
Should You Call Your Co-Workers Family? Depends on the Family.
Mike: We’re all family here. Archie: Don’t remind me! —All In The Family I saw an excellent Twitter chat that discussed if people should use the term “family” at work. For instance, do you work for an organization that claims “we are all one big family”? Or if the company is really high on itself, they may say, “We are …