After 20+ years of marriage, you would think my wife and I would be pretty good at communicating.
You would think.
Alas, I was recently reminded that communicating and being presentor apparently listening are not all synonymous. Bummer.
My lovely spouse said I was only listening for key words — sort of like skimming through a book that lacked real page-turning quality. (more…)
From a recent email press release I received:
WASHINGTON, DC, September 21, 2009 — The cost-cutting actions that employers have been making to deal with the economic crisis have contributed to a sharp decline in the morale and commitment of their workers, especially top performers, according to… Watson Wyatt and …WorldatWork.
Really. This is similar to those “duh” surveys funded by taxpayers like, “Scientists now claim that eating fat makes you gain weight.”
That this recession has left employees (and managers, executives, and board members) less confident about their status with their firm is no shocker. That’s not exactly “whouldathunkit” material. (more…)
That’s right, a shirt.
And no, I’m not changing careers now to sell clothing…
When I was active duty Air Force, my last position was that of a First Sergeant. In the USAF, unlike the Army, this title is a position, not a specific rank. I was a Senior NCO, acting functionally (among other things) as the Commander’s #2 — his chief liaison to the enlisted force.
Translation: I did whatever needed to be done, whenever it needed to be done, and did so without much fanfare. I took care of business, and a good portion of that business was making sure that the troops — the ones actually doing all the work that got us promoted — were operating smoothly.
First Harvard laid off a bunch.
Now Stanford, another stalwart in business education, plans to lay off almost 500 employees, and freeze hiring for another 50 faculty.
I’m thinking Physician heal thyself… again.
Now, I’m not ragging on these ivy-league bastions for doing what they feel necessary; no, quite the opposite. I laud them for making these difficult business decisions. I just wish they would remember these when their professors and authors trivialize and belittle corporate leaders for doing these same things. (more…)
So, a colleague of mine was preparing for a 2-day strategy session…
Never mind that I really dislike these two/three-day “events” disguised as strategic thinking and envisioning.
This colleague, like many consultants, was gearing up for the contest that was to come… the inevitable clash between monumental egos and the logic and foresight necessary to grow a business. My advice to her lament? I said:
“May the force be with you. My experience tells me that if we can connect logic & smarts with their executive-level egos, then success is nigh…“
I’ve mentioned in earlier blog posts, and now it’s confirmed — many employees aren’t too keen on their managers.
Some results from a recent survey conducted by the Institute for Corporate Productivity; they surveyed 675 workers from all but executive levels, and discovered:
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