Leadership slang time, people. Let’s give you a term you can text your fellow HR/Talent pros in response to hearing that they’re stuck in a time-suck they shouldn’t be in. The term/acronym? NINA. “No Influence, No Authority.” NINA refers to people who really can’t get things done in an organization, and it’s position/situation specific. Consider the following: – Authority is downward sloping. People with …
To Squash Fears of Failure, Discipline Yourself to Keep Moving.
“Action cures fear” – Mike Kim. I am someone who needs structure. And you do to. For the last 18 months, I’ve been on my own workwise. Before you roll your eyes, this isn’t a missive on entrepreneurialism. However, going from larger corporate environments to working for an organization of one (me) has forced me to analyze every nuance of …
Know Your Why–Gut Decisions and Your Career
I feel like I should dedicate this post to PFP, a local gym my youngest daughter attends. My youngest has scoliosis, and in addition to being braced for a number of years by a phenomenal Orthotist, she’s been working out with a trainer to have an amazingly strong core. The best news–the workouts at PFP have been pivotal in reducing …
Duck Season, Wabbit Season, Conference Season, and March Madness: Part 2
Yes, it is time for March Madness. Spring is definitely in the air. About this time last year, I departed from my political and assertive writing to do a mash-up of topics impacting the HR and Talent community. Well, It’s time for a “Part 2,” so hold on to your hats and college basketball draw sheets, here we go! First, …
All for One and One for All! Employee Engagement Peanut Butter.
I started my own blog in 2006. Not an actual OG but very close. Heck, I used to use Typepad for chrissakes. That’s seriously old school. And some of (most of) my posts since that time have been about employee engagement. I know this because every time I’m up to write on Fistful of Talent I panic because I may …
The Best Two-Minute Career Advice
I was given two minutes’ worth of advice nearly twelve years ago, and I repeated that same advice to colleague last week. It’s proof that it’s still relevant, regardless of time. My goal for this article is to be simple, quick, and for readers to come away with the simplest advice to absorb and ultimately share with others. To cut …
Can the Gig Life Be the Safe Haven for the Overqualified?
I hate the word “overqualified.” It has this nasty connotation because if someone has a depth of work experience, they can’t fit into a role. They have too many years of experience, too much seniority or too high-level of a title to do the job, at least that’s the vibe I get when someone tells me a candidate is overqualified. …
Ageism is Real – And It’s Your Fault
“But Paul, you’re different. You like that technology stuff.” That’s what I get when I bring up a new way to manage a process with a new project management tool. Or when I try to introduce a web-based collaboration platform. Or even when I suggest we use group collaboration in Office 365. Real truth? I don’t always like “that technology …
Utilize Your Network as Free Consultants
Think about the best professional advice you’ve ever received. Where did it come from? A how-to YouTube video? A TED talk? Your spouse? An executive coach? Maybe a lawyer? A book? A keynote speech at an HR/talent conference? Likely not. Or… from a fellow HR/talent colleague? Yep, that’s what I thought. Networking is all the rage. So are conferences, podcasts, …
“Do you like essential oils?” Is NOT a Legitimate Interview Question!
After being twenty minutes late for our long-awaited connection, she opened the conversation with: “About me, prior to coming here, I worked at a day spa.” “Do you like essential oils?” “I feel like we’ve met before?” “Oh, November is your birthday? That’s Sagittarius, I’m a stereotypical Capricorn.” “Do you have any pets or young children? Good, because we work …