(Reprinted from my December, 2007 E-zine, Tips for Today’s Managers) My most memorable Christmas was with my in-laws in 1982. My wife is one of eight children, five girls and three boys. With most of them having their own families, the number of presents you had to buy for all the brothers, sisters, nephews, and nieces was getting out… Read More >>
THE LIMITS OF EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT & WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
According to Gallup’s State of the American Workplace, only 30% of employees consider themselves “engaged” at work. By default, that means 70% come to work wanting to be somewhere else. There are a host of programs available to improve employee engagement. They include techniques for asking employees for their opinions, holding celebrations to mark financial… Read More >>
Kentucky Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM)
As a professional speaker, I can’t believe how blessed I am to stand in front of an audience, flap my lips and get paid for it. But nothing beats presenting with my daughter Meagan Johnson like on September 24 when we presented at the 31st Annual SHRM Conference in Louisville. I am truly a lucky… Read More >>
Leadership = Monkey See, Monkey Do
Leadership at mighty Volkswagen was embarrassed this past week when the company was caught cheating. The ensuing scandal has forced CEO Martin Winterkorn to resign. To enable its Diesel automobiles to pass rigid U.S. emission control standards without losing any noticeable power, the company has, for years, installed special software to get around the inspection system.… Read More >>
Amazon Corporate Culture: Sweatshop or Paradise?
The recent article in the New York Times[1] criticizing Amazon’s corporate culture as a “brutal” and cutthroat culture has the business pundits all atwitter. It seems this company that has enjoyed astronomical success in on-line retailing may not be everyone’s idea of a great place to work. Employees are reportedly expected to work up to 16 hours a… Read More >>
Culture Of Engagement Requires “Generosity Gene”
I’m presently reading The Real-Life MBA: Your No-BS Guide to Winning the Game, Building a Team, and Growing Your Career by Jack and Suzy Welch.1 So far, it’s chock full of practical suggestions on how to be a great leader in business, including how to push employee engagement up. And given their track records (Jack… Read More >>
Tom Selleck’s Lesson For Corporate Culture
Regarding corporate culture, there is a famous quote in Time Magazine from Warren Buffet that goes: “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” Never has that quote been more appropriate than in an age where social media can have a huge impact on an employer’s reputation. Do something… Read More >>
Nurturing a Productive Corporate Culture
Corporate culture depends on social capital. That’s what was discovered in a study conducted at MIT by Anita Woolley , Thomas W. Malone and Christopher Chabris, the researchers divided 697 volunteer participants into teams of two to five members and gave them various complex tasks to perform and problems to solve. The groups were observed… Read More >>
Not My Fault: Nurturing Employee Responsibility
Shun Fugimoto was a perfect example of employee responsibility. “Monteal 1976 – After severely breaking his kneecap during the floor exercise, Japan’s Shun Fugimoto ignored his injury as long as possible, knowing such news could shatter the confidence of his teammates. The injured gymnast continued to the pommel horse routine, miraculously scoring a 9.5 out… Read More >>
Job Ownership: It’s The Feeling That Counts
In my seminars for supervisors and middle manager, I often ask the group to list what they think are the most effective motivating factors in the workplace. Invariably, money is mentioned but after some discussion, the group realizes that although money can attract good employees and dissuade them from leaving, unless it’s tied directly to… Read More >>
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