To me, there is one way to know if a leader is worth their salt. It is something I don’t recall seeing in leadership books, white papers, or in training sessions. To me the simplest way to see if a leader is doing their job is to ask team members one question: “Did you use all your PTO last year?” …
Wanna Recruit Me? Appeal To My Inner Cat-Lady
Yeah, I have a cat. I brought her home one day (then a kitten) without asking my husband. Needless to say, he wasn’t happy. But guess who is still with us 4 years later? My cat. So, why do I love this cat so much? The answer is simple: she loves me. And, now that I work mostly from home, …
Love Labor’s Lost: Tips To Get Over Being Dumped
Getting dumped by an employee sucks. When an employee you like and see great promise in leaves you, it stings. When they leave you to make a career decision that is not understandable (in a worst-case scenario, questionable)… oh dear god, it just makes you want to cry. Watching this train wreck can be painful. And usually, it’s not even …
During Financial Woes, Should Companies Nix Extravagant Awards?
“It doesn’t take courage to give money for hitting a number.” –Simon Sinek, WorkHuman 2018 I’m a believer in recognizing extraordinary workers with something palpable. I especially like the idea of creating “experiences” as recognition rewards over cash bonuses. Experiences build trust, enforce connections, and create memories. An experience could include anything from an incredible dinner to attending an …
Phone Like a Bad Boyfriend? Dump The Chump. This GREAT Book Will Show You How.
I love my phone, really. But it’s a two-timer, like a bad boyfriend. I mean, I’ve spent hours personalizing my phone, so it knows me. It loves me. And I’ve spent hours understanding it, its nuances, how it wants me to interact with it, even how to talk to it so it can interpret my accent. But, sumpin’ isn’t right. …
Leaders Should Use “Empathy” Cheat-Sheets, As Long As They Mean It
Did you know Trump was in the news? Of course you did. After the Parkland shooting, Trump met with several survivors to talk about the shooting’s impact. Per the Trump playbook, not to miss a photo op, Trump allowed the open discussion to be videoed. To many viewers’ surprise, something new-and-shiny appeared in the hands of the Commander-In-Chief. They were …
Control Your HR World With These Princess Leia Tricks
You say you’ve lost control? You’ve never had control. But you can’t let that stop you. You’ve got work to do—good work. You’ve got people who depend on you and need you. And, yeah, having a job pretty much is a must. (You still have that mortgage to pay, kids who need school supplies, and dammit… yes, yes, yes, paying for …
Can You Be Selfless & Lead A Culture Of Engagement? No.
I’m not a great Catholic; decent I’d say. Decent enough to go to Ash Wednesday service after several months’ absence. Better late than never. I was inspired by the sermon, which gave the congregation some perspective on Lent, including how to personally reflect over this time. The sermon also touched on themes of forgiveness and selflessness. The sermon got …
In The #MeToo Era, Should White Men Be Called Privileged? Yes. And That’s OK.
I love white men. I’m married to one. He treats me well and is a fair, righteous man. So let’s get that straight. Now, let’s get on with it…. In the #MeToo era, should white men default to accepting and acknowledging they have been unwitting benefactors of privilege. That answer is a resounding yes. You can’t fix what you don’t …
Should An Attorney Be On Every HR team? Don’t Kick The Idea Out Of Bed Yet.
A few days ago I read an insightful post from the HR Bartender herself, Sharlyn Lauby (go ahead and start following her stuff now). The post titled, “Employees: When Should You Lawyer Up…”, answered a reader’s question about getting legal advice from an employment attorney. The reader was an employee, not an HR pro. Reading this article stoked a …