Category: Communication

March 10, 2023

With 360-degree feedback, employees get valuable input from multiple directions about what they’re like to work with. Instead of being limited to the perception or bias of a direct supervisor, they receive a broader and more balanced viewpoint. Realizing that […]

March 8, 2023

If asked to envision a business networking group or club, who do you see? An enclave of white men in business suits? If so, it’s time to update your perceptions. While networking groups have evolved from their boys club status […]

March 3, 2023

An employment relationship may be ended in a variety of ways with different legal consequences, so it’s important to accurately determine the method by which it’s terminated. An involuntary termination (i.e., the employee is fired) occurs when the employer decides […]

February 23, 2023

Employee resource groups (ERGs), also known as affinity groups, are employee-driven groups focused on a shared and often protected characteristic, life experience or interest. These groups have proliferated, with roughly 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies, along with a growing […]

February 23, 2023

In undergrad, Kristen Kenny studied teaching and business management. She was still considering her options one summer when she started working as a Recruiting Coordinator at Fidelity Investments. Although she had found the role via a temp agency, Kenny would […]

February 21, 2023

Most people have a certain archetype that comes to mind when they think of a leader: confident, assertive, determined, in-charge, etc. Those characteristics are great in many situations, but not necessarily when it leads to toxic conflict between leaders within […]

February 15, 2023

A recurring theme that candidates and employees share with me is that they like contributing toward and being part of an organization that helps people and contributes to society in a meaningful way. They want the mission of our organization […]

February 6, 2023

Sam is an HR director at a midsize manufacturing plant. At times, he feels at a loss for helping managers within his organization deal with ethical and moral challenges that come their way. He certainly appreciates them seeking his guidance, […]

February 2, 2023

We live in a world where Black excellence is everywhere. Entrepreneurs like Oprah, Rihanna, Michael Jordan, Jay-Z and Beyonce dominate the airways, TV stations and retail outlets. Each of these stars entered the arena in different ways and all managed […]

January 30, 2023

Following an employee’s policy violations, misconduct or substandard performance, you may conclude it’s time to send the worker a termination letter. How that letter is worded might save you a legal headache. “When involuntarily separating an employee, a termination letter […]

January 12, 2023

The world of work is changing rapidly, with many companies abandoning outdated, inflexible approaches to strengthen their stances on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Minority communities have ridden the wave of these rapid changes, but many acknowledge there is still […]

January 11, 2023

As workplace shootings become more common throughout the U.S., HR and corporate leaders may feel unsure of the best way to react and communicate afterward, particularly if the violence occurred on their premises and someone was injured. Most likely, the […]

January 4, 2023

When social media posts about employees grab attention for the wrong reasons, how the controversy is handled in both the office and court of public opinion will impact reputations. How HR approaches the situation can depend on whether the employee […]

January 4, 2023

Under a new National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule, employers must compensate workers to make up for the direct consequences of unfair labor practices. This ruling could be expensive for employers, adding consequential damages to the board’s usual make-whole remedies. […]

December 28, 2022

Not receiving a “thank you” when holding a door open for a stranger at the store or when helping a friend with an errand can be disheartening and annoying. It can even foster resentment. But while failing to express gratitude […]

December 28, 2022

The UK’s jobs market seems to be broken. Since 2020, HR professionals have been tested by waves of challenges: the pandemic itself, the subsequent “great resignation”, and a “silver exodus” of over-50 workers. Almost half of UK employers have reported […]

December 19, 2022

I’ve written in the past about the Same Day Summary (a brief written summary of key takeaways from a recent meeting or discussion); the No-FEAR Confrontation (first Frame the topic of conversation, then go into active listening mode to Explore […]

December 14, 2022

Employee recognition is vital for any team and company to keep their employees engaged in the organization. But when you have a remote team, it gives you a unique challenge: how do you provide employee recognition where they don’t work […]

December 14, 2022

When an employee’s conduct, attitude, or performance doesn’t meet expectations, it can have a significant impact on the workplace. While it may be tempting to ignore these issues and hope they resolve on their own, without intervention, they can — […]

December 12, 2022

Everywhere you look, the stats are alarmingly clear: Leaders are not effectively communicating – and it’s negatively impacting their organization’s success. 86% of employees and executives cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes of workplace […]