If you run a coffee bean company (which I do), expect more bags of beans to be sold and when Barry complains about doing more work (e.g. more bags of beans to fill), you will need to listen. If you recruit and hire people (which I do), expect that someone (e.g., other Barry) at your client company will spam your …
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 …
EB Champion or Cheerleader? There’s Only One Choice
I realized today that I have been looking at the part I play in promoting a company’s employment brand all wrong. I believed this years ago, that one of my skills as a sourcer was to be head employment brand cheerleader. And whether working for a staffing agency or a corporate entity, my role was to always chat up how awesome …
Coming in 2020: Worst Company to Work for Awards
Well it’s time for me to lighten up just a little and introduce the 2020 Worst Companies to Work for Awards. A quick disclaimer – this is not an FOT sponsored program, however I just might ask a few of my brethren on FOT to serve as judges. If there is a vendor in the HR space that would like to …
Would You Be Happy With No HR?
Today, if twitter is to be believed, (and there are many whom attribute gospel-like reverence to it) HR is focused on talent, technology and turnover. Throw in an employee experience or two and you’ve got the top 5 “issues” HR needs to address. I have orbited HR for over 15 years, and if I step into the wayback machine, 15 …
Supporting Employees in Crisis – A Hidden Gem in Retention Strategy
Companies have long sought actions they could take to increase engagement and retention and keep good people. Among these strategies – above market compensation, stock options, long term incentives, work flexibility, work from home, lunch subsidies, comprehensive and fully-paid benefits packages and a really cool and hip workspace – all these help support retention efforts. But one overlooked strategy is …
Your 5-Point “My Careers Site is Ok” Audit
“Did you see our careers site?” I mumble, “yes,” knowing what they are going to say next. I get the question every time. “Well, what do you think of it?” I use the same answer every time, too: “Do you want the explicit truth or the polished answer?” I usually laugh when I say this to break the awkward silence …
Feeling Like A Pretender? (The New Leader)
If you get things that you desire, there may be unforeseen and unpleasant consequences. Another way to say that, “Be careful what you wish for,” but Google reminded me that’s also the name of a cheesy Nick Jonas flick (redundant, I know.) Whatevs, the spirit of the comment is the same – anyone striving for advancement in their professional life is …
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 …
The Office Halloween Party Rules!
Is your office dressing up for Halloween? Mine isn’t. It’s not that I wouldn’t. Okay, I wouldn’t. But if others wanted to, I wouldn’t say “no”. I mean everyone has that one person in their office that’s a little way too excited over Halloween. I get it. I have kids. They lose their minds at the thought of free candy and dressing up. But you’re …