When CEO Tony Hsieh sent out an all-company email informing his Zappos team that they were moving completely to the Holacracy organizational structure of self-management, the story was huge. Zappos has long been the darling of the media for its forward-thinking workplace policies, so it’s no surprise that the media (and yes, we bloggers too)…
Workplace Issues
Don’t Let Those “Best of” Lists Create Employer Envy
Have you ever worked for a company that was listed as “best of?” You know, “Best of XYZ Industry” or “Top 100 Companies to Work for” and so on. No? Well then you might have wondered: just how cool is it to work at one of those companies? Yet another “best of” list came out…
Are Loose Cannons Driving Down Your Employee Engagement Scores?
Have you ever worked with a “loose cannon”? This high-energy person moves ahead too quickly without checking facts. Loose cannons mean well, but their unpredictability causes collateral damage. Typically, loose cannon employees are seen as a liability—and management is often looking for ways to help them “find new employment opportunities.” Frankly, I’ve not had a lot…
Women and the Politics of Promotion
Research indicates that ambitious women are in a double bind—if they’re too aggressive, then they’re seen as threatening; if they’re too accommodating, they’re not seen as senior leadership material. Even though this bind is easing as more women assume top leadership roles, it’s still evident in many organizations, particularly those that are traditionally led by…
Are You Using the Right Type of Leadership Power?
Every leader has two types of power, and knowing when to use each type will determine your leadership success. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines power as, “possession of control, authority, or influence over others.” Now, if you are an enlightened leader, most likely you will shudder at these words in reference to your leadership approach….