My father a member of the Silent Generation used this phrase all the time, “I Feel You But I Can’t Reach You.” Of course to him, the phrase was not a term of endearment. He used this refrain from a position of power as he reminded you of your lack of power. He never intendedRead… Read more »
The GAO released a report last month calling for better management of substandard employees. According to the report, the government could benefit from better performance management training and use of tools to address underperforming individuals. Dealing with underperforming employees can be difficult, and can lead to some awkward conversations. Here are some of my favorite tipsRead… Read more »
Seeing as this post is published on a Friday, I would like to observe #fbf aka Flashback Friday. Now close your eyes and cast your mind back to elementary school. What would happen in Kindergarten if you got the answer right to what 1+1 equals? You’d probably get something like a gold star or aRead… Read more »
Once upon a time engaged meant going from single to partnered. Or it meant a variation of being busy – for better worse. These days engagement is such a buzzword in business-speak that it oversaturates our workplace communications. And this engagement isn’t a romantic proposal; it’s a request for our undivided attention. Is asking forRead… Read more »
We have heard the federal government engagement refrain so many times; we can repeat it in our sleep. It goes something like this according to engagement consultants Lior Arussy and Ed Murphy. Management says: • Let’s do an engagement survey. • We need hard data. • Let’s share the data with employees; they will knowRead… Read more »
I don’t know if I can trust you. I’m not listening to your speeches or reading your blogs. And I skipped the town hall as well. It’s true. Your official emails are very long. But they don’t say too much. Did you know that your eyes dart back and forth in conversation? Most of theRead… Read more »
Everyone has heard the stories of lottery winners who receive large sums of money only to find themselves broke within a few years. . . Or the stories of star athletes who come into financial resources and stardom at a young age and later end up in legal trouble battling severe addictions and emotional issues.Read… Read more »
By Mike Bajit, PMP You’ve won the contract! You’ve hired the team, but they can’t start work at the same time due to delays with the suitability process. You must execute the requirements of the contract with only a portion of your staff, while providing an orientation to the work and some on-the-job training. YouRead… Read more »
There’s a school of thought that contends when workers feel they have job security, they can become complacent and less productive. On the other hand, with an ax hanging over their heads, workers start to stress, act cautiously, make mistakes, or become resentful of superiors or motivated to leave your employ. In some cases, jobRead… Read more »
One of my favorite sitcoms, How I Met Your Mother, ended last month. In the final episode the character, Marshall Ericksen, an environmental lawyer, was shown working for a corporate law firm; a job that made him miserable. He had resolved to say only positive things about his job and in one scene was askedRead… Read more »