Why would anyone work for free …
I am writing this on a Saturday. I did two hours of work today and two hours last night. I have already worked many hours over my allotted workdays this week. It is unlikely I […]
Category: Company Culture
The culture of your company is perhaps your most important competitive advantage. For the most successful companies they build their culture as often as they breathe.
Seeing all the people, seeing all the possibilities
When you or your organization goes looking for new people, what do you see? Do you see everyone who could meet or exceed your requirements? Do you include people from different backgrounds, ethnicity, cultures, people who experience barriers to employment. Hiring people is about seeing people without bias, misconceptions; it is about seeing the humanity behind the cover letter or resume.
I was involved in Human Resources for most of may career, I made mistakes; but with help I learned some lessons that might help you and your team.
Stepping back from the edge …
I have been here. Painfully unaware that I was teetering on the precipice. I was lucky, I had good mentors, I had key people who took a chance and told me what I needed to do and gave me the space to change. It wasn’t always smooth but I listened, I learned, and I became better.
As managers and supervisors, we will all eventually find ourselves in this position; how we react determines if we can step back or if we will plunge into the abyss.
What follows is what I was taught, what I learned, and what I continue to use. I hope it helps you.
What ailments are you causing or ignoring?
Organizations experience major and minor ailments just like people do. Many are the result of external pressures; however, some like “Meeting Narcolepsy” are internally generated. Left undiagnosed and/or untreated these ailments can limit growth, cause decline, and even cause the organization to “die.”
Simple Truths – Nobody is born with a good work ethic.
This past week I attended a meeting where some people were lamenting that their new hires didn’t have a good work ethic and they seemed not to know how to function. Their comments inspired this post because “work ethic” is a learned skill and knowing what and how “to work” is also something that organizations should teach rather than assume.
No one is where they were supposed to be.
Are we just the sum of our good and bad decisions? Labels and simple equations do not begin to adequately describe us and how we became who we are. In a world that increasingly uses simple rhetoric to explain how to solve our problems; we need to understand the complex interplay of variables that shape all of us.
If we can understand and appreciate, then we can begin to tailor individual courses of action.
The “HOW” of better meetings
Your people are your greatest resource.
Facilitating great meetings will encourage them, teach them, provide them with opportunities and the tools they need. You need to listen to them, inspire them, and train them. Running good meetings is a “learned” skill that few of us every master completely. Done well, your meetings will create the conditions for growth and efficiencies, regardless of the type of organization you are part of.
This is a place to begin.
An open letter of help to an entrepreneur and a friend.
People who start a new enterprise are rare and worthy of our praise. Only a few survive, fewer still thrive; however, that does not diminish their bravery. They are committed to making their dream a reality … sometimes they need a little help and that’s what this post is all about.
You should be MRD
If you are not MRD, finding a new job or career is much more difficult. Being MRD as well as doing the other twenty tips in this post will give you a competitive edge and help you to stand out.
More than doing just one thing …
I began as a good manager but a poor leader. I benefited from good mentors and people who believed in my potential and through hard work, and many missteps, I have become a better manager and a good leader. In a small way, I hope this post repays their faith and helps you.
Success does not result from a single action, success is the cumulative result of hundreds of small intricate actions and decisions; but most importantly success comes from treating your people well.