In one of Aesop’s fables, a monkey dupes a cat into pulling roasted chestnuts from a hot fire, promising the cat a share of the bounty. The flattered cat complies — burns its paw in the process — only to…
As we celebrate our military service members this time of year, it’s time to acknowledge the veteran unemployment issues and think about how employers can take full advantage of veteran skill sets and fill critical roles on their teams. With…
There are so many different factors that go into how successful someone’s business becomes. Obviously, the type of business and the demand for the product or service are important. So is marketing. But when it comes to a business in…
When it comes to your business, understanding how much it is worth can be challenging and involves answering many different questions. Do you plan on selling your business any time soon? If so, who are you planning on selling it…
Music is one of the most important parts of our culture and daily lives, from workouts to hobbies and events. For those of us who have had the opportunity to be part of a large performing group — a symphony…
As a business owner, it's important to create a work environment that is conducive to employee productivity and well-being. Unfortunately, mental health problems are common, and they can take a toll on both employees and employers. According to the National…
Public speaking is an invaluable forum to share and express ideas. You have the opportunity to communicate something that you feel is interesting, important, or exciting. Perhaps more vital, it offers the potential to connect with audience members in this…
Employee performance ebbs and flows. While underperformance is a character trait that can affect people of all ages and in myriad settings, one of the most frustrating places might be in the workplace. Underperforming employees can create extra work for…
I was talking to a dear friend this week about the early days of my career, and it caused my mind to turn to the topic of working from home. In my career in the real estate lending sector, my…
In a time where the workforce includes the four largest generations, business leaders are faced with an opportunity like none other. Even though a multigenerational workforce presents its own unique challenges, it allows employers to leverage the experiences of people…
To quote Erma Bombeck, “Worry is like a rocking chair: It gives you something to do but it never gets you anywhere.” None of us could have predicted that we’d be facing a pandemic followed by war and unprecedented inflation.…
Today, you can count on the fact that top talent is evaluating your values and leadership style, your level of commitment to putting people first, and the effort you put into creating mutually beneficial relationships with employees.
How do we find ways to connect with teams and employees as human beings and re-imagine collaboration, communication and connection? We need to be creative and chart out new approaches to everything from onboarding employees to performance reviews and water cooler chats.
If you can’t effectively respond to the question, “Where did you learn to have tough conversations?” you’re probably bad at them. If you’re a senior leader and have never had an effective 360 review process, you probably have numerous career-stalling weaknesses. Do something about it!
