The current turmoil over union rights in Wisconsin as well as the overall economic challenges facing both public and private organizations should provide a springboard for altering the way we do business. While I am not suggesting abolishing unions, I believe there is an opportunity for significant change in employee relations at this pivotal time. […]
As Millennials and Generation Z people continue to make-up a larger portion of the workforce, it’s important to evolve in how we interact and communicate. Performance reviews, for example, are largely conducted annually to deliver and hear feedback based on past performance. Feedforward is focused on future performance and about what’s next rather than what’s […]
Though companies across the country recently created or increased diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) programs, to what degree have they been successful? Turns out, without significant investment in time and behavior-based training, much of this may have little long lasting value. Most DE&I programs focus on half-day or one day sessions where the content is […]
[This is an excerpt from my book Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace, which is currently available at Amazon and wherever you buy books.] The behavior you demonstrate at work speaks volumes with regard to your overall emotional intelligence, and this behavior shows up directly in your habits. A habit—good or bad—is simply routine behavior repeated […]
In my work as a leadership coach I work with Millennials who often complain they don’t receive enough positive feedback from their supervisors. I also work with leaders in their 40s and 50s who claim their younger direct reports continually crave recognition for a job well done. Is the desire for positive feedback contributing to […]
To lead effectively requires many competencies. To be a great leader in the 21st century means you are also looking further out, valuing the diversity of thought, and are brave enough to let go of your tried and true assumptions. Roselinde Torres, senior partner and managing director at Boston Consulting Group, found that performance reviews, […]
Here at the end of another year, my family and I will express and literally record statements of love and appreciation for each other in what has become an annual tradition. This simple exercise compiles what we appreciate about and wish for each other in the coming year—something started nearly ten years ago in order […]
At some point in our careers we have to face the fact that it may not be our lack of skills, experience or overall accomplishments, but specific behaviors that may prevent us from getting promoted to a higher position. What often defines those who are able to rise to the ranks of leadership is the […]
Employee engagement is by far the single most important HR challenge for organizations because it impacts recruitment, retention, absenteeism and productivity. In fact, according to a 2011 Gallup poll, the annual cost of lost productivity on the U.S. economy due to actively disengaged employees is $370 billion! And finding a way to improve employee engagement […]
“I would rather have a first-class manager running a second-rate business than a second-rate manager running a first-rate business.” — Jack E. Reichert Middle managers are essential to business, but their role is being questioned in this new business era. Last year nearly 11 million employees identified themselves as middle managers. This represents 7.6% of […]
Leadership involves many interpersonal skills and for some of us the ability to deliver effective feedback can be the most challenging. Everyone who supervises other people is expected to provide feedback—both positive and negative—and yet it is often put off until annual performance reviews, which makes it even more stressful to both because of the […]
“Make it thy business to know thyself, which is the most difficult lesson in the world.” — Miguel De Cervantes Great leaders have many attributes. Among them are clarity, vision, humility and courage. When we see these traits in our leaders we are inspired to follow. By courage I mean more than the ability to […]
In 2009 Google began an internal initiative called Project Oxygen in order to better understand what makes an effective Google manager. They analyzed more than 10,000 observations about managers, including 100 variables on things like performance reviews, feedback surveys and nominations for top-manager awards. They correlated phrases, words, praise and complaints. This data-driven method for […]
Feedback. We all want it and perhaps those in the Millennial generation crave it more than most. But is anything less than positive feedback really appreciated and effective at bringing out our best performance? Years ago I wrote a blog post titled Six Tips to Successfully Deliver Employee Feedback where I suggested “. . . […]
Whether you are trying to lose weight, run a marathon, secure a new job, or change your behavior to be more effective in the workplace, you are the primary driver of your success. As Henry Ford put it: If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right! I believe reaching any […]
Admitting you don’t know the answer. Apologizing when you’ve made a mistake. Putting yourself in another person’s shoes. Not speaking poorly about someone behind their back. These are things we learned as children and know we should practice as adults, yet because many of us don’t, our workplaces are unhealthy and prevent us from being […]
Most annual reviews are dreaded both by those giving and those receiving them, yet they are a mainstay in the corporate world. This is because annual reviews can help people stay on track to meet individual, workgroup and corporate goals. One of the problems is that annual reviews often feel contrived. Typically too much is […]
Employee feedback needs to be provided more frequently and needs to be effective so appropriate action can be taken immediately.