What Executives Can Learn From Dog Owners
“You can tell a lot about a man by the way he treats his dog….” anonymous
Surprisingly, dog owners and trainers can teach valuable lessons to business owners about establishing and maintaining good relationships. And while dogs are known to be loyal to their owners, there are some things owners do to advance the bond, …
Don’t Become a Victim Just Because You Work in a Toxic Workplace
“Toxic workplaces” are a hot topic in business literature currently. And apparently, rightfully so – negative work environments seem to be growing, both in number and in their reach across multiple sectors. Employee surveys continue to document the downward spiral of job satisfaction and employee engagement across all types of industries and work environments.
But …
Plan for a “Tech Day” when Starting a New Job
How fast can you come up to speed? Of course, we all want to say right away and that we’ll hit the ground running.
This is a question and an idea that is asked and expected of everyone coming into an organization. It is incumbent of the management of the company to make it as …
Staying Personal While Expanding Your Business
It’s every entrepreneur’s dream to build a business large enough that they cannot manage every aspect of it themselves. For the few people that do succeed at doing this, however, there are unexpected challenges. For starters, the larger your business is, the more difficult it is to maintain a personal touch. Large companies quickly acquire …
Is the Hiring Process Really a ‘Game’? Yes, it is!
In “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets: The Rules of the Hiring Game Have Changed . . . Forever!, the inaugural book in the “Headhunter” Hiring Secrets series of Career Development & Management publications, I first postulated (in writing) that the hiring process is analogous to a game. A very serious game, of course, but nonetheless still a …
How Universities Are Failing Their Graduates, Part 2
Failure to Launch was a 2006 romantic comedy in which Matthew McConaughey was a thirty-something who was perfectly happy living at home with his parents. Unfortunately, the term “failure to launch” has become more generally associated in the 21st century with college graduates and other twenty-somethings who are living at home out of necessity. Their …
The Discomfort Zone: An Interview with Dr. Marcia Reynolds
Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Marcia Reynolds, author of the new book, The Discomfort Zone: How Leaders Turn Difficult Conversations Into Breakthroughs (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, October 2014). Dr. Reynolds works with clients around the world who seek to develop effective leaders, and understands organizational cultures, what blocks communication and innovation, and what …
Thinking of Getting a Job?
The title of this article applies both to those who already have jobs and to others who vie for jobs. So, let’s think first about what it takes to hold on to a job versus getting a new one. At least three conditions must be met for holding on to a job: (1) You must …
Asking Creates Unlimited Opportunity
The shy or demure person, who may be as equally talented as the more outgoing, will not be as likely to get as far ahead in business. That’s why a “friendly ask” is the best tool for business, and it is one strategy that most everyone is capable of initiating.
Ask Questions to build the…Never Work Just For Money
People work to earn money and make a living. That is the reality. If we don’t earn money, we cannot fulfill our basic needs such as shelter, food and clothing. However, you shouldn’t let money control you. Otherwise, you can never find happiness and satisfaction.
The trouble today is that most people work in jobs …