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 …
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 …
Lessons On Leadership from My Bad Boss(es)
Need a conversation prompt? Just say, “I hate my boss.” Add a swear for emphasis, some name-calling if that makes you feel better. That phrase usually starts an echo around a table or at a bar. A lot of “me too” and “oh, you should meet mine.” Then everyone starts to recite all of the oh-so-obvious ways that their managers …
Throwing out the Bad Apples
Everyone’s heard the phrase “a bad apple spoils the bunch,” but in my work experience, this hasn’t been true. In my experience, it isn’t the bad apple that spoils the bunch; it’s the semi-bad apple. That apple that you think is just as good as the rest (or pretty close), until you realize it’s not just as good, and that …
Institutionalized: Working for the Corporate Version of Obi-Wan Kenobi/Bill Belichick
There’s a dirty little secret about great companies. Some of them are so great, the experience you pick up actually doesn’t transfer easily to other opportunities. Here’s how this phenomenon plays out: 1– You join a great company early in your career. 2–You are fortunate to work for a master, think the Obi-Wan Kenobi or Bill Belichick of your industry. …
The Ball Is In Our Court
This isn’t a post about women vs. men. Nor is it about the color of someone’s skin or ethnic background. It’s not even really about tennis. This is a post about teaching moments, and how frequently they seem to occur (and blur) in our professional and personal lives. The U.S. Open Women’s Championship match was one of those moments. As …
Guide Towards Career Fulfillment, Not a Stupid Job Title
As people professionals we often are tasked with helping guide our candidates and employees towards the right career paths. Often I find people are either chasing job titles or pushed into career development plans that they may not even be passionate about. One quick example – employees who strive for management positions when they actually don’t even like people. Many …
Smart Leaders Know That Letting People Fail Can Help Them Improve and Grow
Raising children isn’t easy. Leading people is equally as challenging. In a lot of ways, leadership is very similar to raising a child. The big goal is to build people who are self-sufficient and self-reliant, but the trick is knowing just how much help you should give along the way. Although it seems to be improving, LinkedIn has a mixed …
3 Leadership Lessons Before You Drop-Kick Your Garmin
I received a Garmin fitness tracker for Mother’s Day this year. This gift followed a Peloton bike for my wedding anniversary. And before you think my husband is not so discreetly saying there’s more of me to love than he would like – I asked for both fitness gadgets (ok, the bike is not really a gadget given it costs …
How Much Career Development Do You Owe Your Employees?
When you hear the words “career development” you’re probably thinking about the time and financial resources that you would need to invest in your workforce… But in reality, it’s so much more than that. Career development programs not only support employee retention and reflect well on the company, but they make employees better producers and performers. As a great place …