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?”

Regaining Trust

It’s one of the squishy intangibles that makes all the difference in our work lives. If you cannot trust your manager – if you cannot trust your team – then no one is happy. Trust must be earned and that takes time, consistency and follow-through. There are some specific things leaders can do to helpContinue reading “Regaining Trust”

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”