Italian social scientist, Alessandro Pluchino of the University of Catania, and colleagues won the Ig Nobel prize for mathematically demonstrating that organizations can increase efficiency by giving people promotions at random. This is how casinos stay in business. We keep playing in hopes of the big payoff. We see it happen to others, so whyContinue reading “Random Promotions Increase Productivity”
Tag Archives: management
Raised by Wolves
That phrase has become an ear-worm for me recently. It generally refers to someone who has misbehaved in a social or work setting. I recently read a book about how our bosses sometimes act like they were raised by wolves. At first I took issue defending the wolves. Their system works for them…because they liveContinue reading “Raised by Wolves”
Disengaged in the Middle
Managers have an on-going challenge to see that their staff are working to their optimum – doing interesting, challenging and things that engage many of their skills. The recent Gallup Journal article shows that the “Frustrating Forties” is a time when we’ve past learning the ropes and often aren’t getting much professional development. Not surprisingly,Continue reading “Disengaged in the Middle”
Are Your Management Skills Up to Date?
I’m not talking about knowing the latest ‘flavor’ of management or the buzzwords. “Retention” is the battle cry once again. Many organizations are now using engagement survey stats for managerial performance measures. Your management skills along with to your technical credibility keep you viewed as a valuable contributor, not just a place holder, by yourContinue reading “Are Your Management Skills Up to Date?”
Managing Across Commonalities
“They weren’t necessarily as different as the media had been portraying.” Kristin Murray, HR director, Presbyterian Support New Zealand, is researching the generations for a PhD thesis entitled, Diversity Management. Her surveys, based on a card-sort methodology, turned up a striking degree of similarities across the generations. For example Veterans (1922-1945), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), GensContinue reading “Managing Across Commonalities”
Rethinking Retirement – Boomers and GenX
Where do you fit into the workforce? Today’s organizations are facing challenges like never before with our current demographics. Check out this article for some interesting thoughts for both managing staff as well as your own career.
Under-qualified for the Job?
Can’t get promoted? Tired of new hires that you have to train? Does the next job in your career path, or in your organization, require skills or a degree you don’t have? Feeling stuck in dead-end job? I’ve heard this frequently in both the public and private sectors. Recently I’m hearing it loudly in agenciesContinue reading “Under-qualified for the Job?”
Are You a Bad Boss?
Most of us don’t think we are a bad boss. The really bad bosses aren’t reading this because they don’t care. Here are 4 clues of a bad boss. What would be especially useful would be your ideas on how to help someone be a better boss. (hint: This isn’t always just what the bossContinue reading “Are You a Bad Boss?”
Performance Review Time – Hearing feedback
Posted September 04, 2009 09:02 AM Hide Post Giving and receiving feedback are two different sets of behaviors. Many resources are available for giving feedback effectively. Yet there is little to help us prepare to receive and participate in these conversations, and not dread them. It’s hard enough for people to give feedback and manyContinue reading “Performance Review Time – Hearing feedback”
Does it Matter? Is It Interesting? Do I like doing it?
Daniel Pink’s 18 min video on TED.com is a great example of how extrinsic motivators (such as financial incentives) have a narrow band of effectiveness and often work in reverse. By tapping into the intrinsic motivations of autonomy, mastery and purpose we can change not only how we do business, but how we work towardContinue reading “Does it Matter? Is It Interesting? Do I like doing it?”