We humans love a good label and right now, the word “toxic” is having a moment. Ever since it was highlighted as Oxford Dictionary’s international word of the year, quite a few of us have been noticing – and rightly so – that certain behaviors, policies and organizational systems in the workplace aren’t healthy. Love…
Workplace Issues
7 Ways for Leaders to Improve Employee Morale and Engagement
There are hundreds of articles written each week about creating workplace morale through improved employee engagement, yet how many of those articles describe the specifics of what leaders must do to achieve this important, yet elusive objective? Meet Bob Richards, CEO of North American operations for a global logistics company. Bob has extensive experience in…
How Leaders Can Create a Pocket of Excellence in a Toxic Workplace
Being a leader is tough enough, but downright demoralizing if you feel like you’re swimming upstream against the currents of a toxic workplace. If you want to stand apart and make a positive difference at work it might seem like you’re living in this weird, misshapen house where some of the doorways don’t lead anywhere,…
The Generational Gap in Workplace Recognition
Younger workers really like recognition. Research tells us that workers born after 1989 are 73% more likely to want frequent recognition than those in the Generation X and Baby Boomer demographics. In fact, some Gen Xers and Boomers say they “never” want recognition! This gap in expectations sets up a potential disconnect between leaders and…
Developing Your (Office) Political Savvy – Positively
When you hear the phrase “office politics,” what comes to mind? Do you imagine: Favoritism Back-stabbing “Makes me want to run and hide” Cronyism Self-interest It’s not a pretty list, is it? Whenever I talk with people about “office politics” their viewpoints have a negative theme associated with them. These words represent the dark side…