Later this week I’ll be speaking with the Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence on the topic of Office Politics. It’s sure to be a lively event, as nearly everyone I encounter with has a story about colleagues maneuvering in some Machiavellian way to gain power, recognition or some form of “currency”. We love to…
Communication
Doing Things the Hard Way
Workplace Interactions Aren’t Always as “Easy” as They Seem When was the last time you faced a tough choice when deciding how to respond to a co-worker? Chances are it wasn’t very long ago. Tricky interpersonal situations crop up all the time. As you consider your options, no doubt some choices seem easier to make…
Supervisory Transition: Roles, Relationships and Remarkable Principles
A Conversation with Guy Harris on His New Book “From Bud to Boss” Last week I talked with Guy Harris, co-author of the new book From Bud to Boss: Secrets to a Successful Transition to Remarkable Leadership In the book, Guy and co-author Kevin Eikenberry craft a comprehensive treatment of the topic. It’s a practical guide…
Black Friday and Employee Burnout
Early in my career I was a Human Resources Generalist for Marshall Field’s department stores. Autumn was a busy time for the HR department as we ramped up the hiring and training for the seasonal staff. Black Friday was the official start to our industry’s busiest time of year—a fiscal “make it or break it”…
Open Up Your Leadership
Don’t Wait For Your Company to Embrace Social Technologies American business leaders have long grappled with societal changes that influence their business practices. The advent of organized labor in the late 1800’s and the entry of women into non-traditional factory jobs during World War II are but two examples of large societal shifts that…