Catherine Iste

Catherine Iste is the founder of betterHR.org, an online school that is redefining recertification by providing fun, unique and convenient continuing education for HR pros, nurses, attorneys and CPAs. Connect with her on LinkedIn or at betterHR.org.

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Articles by Catherine Iste

• Firing someone does not have to be negative

  Thursday, December 19, 2019

  Terminating an employee, even when it will undoubtedly make the workplace a better place, is still one of the most difficult things for any manager to do. The fear of being fired, the guilt of taking away someone’s livelihood (and sometimes even their identity), and the difficulty of delivering the message all combine to make the days leading up to, including and following a termination stressful. As bad as that sounds, though, firing does not have to be negative. Here are some tips to minimize the negativity.

• The new trend in hiring? Collaborative interviews

  Wednesday, December 18, 2019

  Almost gone, thankfully, are the days of brutal panel interviews with trick questions and ridiculous, no-win scenarios. Instead, questions like: "What animal would you be and why?" are being replaced with thoughtful inquiry, genuine interest and bilateral communication. Welcome to the world of the collaborative interview.

• Think the California Consumer Privacy Act doesn’t apply to you? Think again.

  Thursday, December 12, 2019

  The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018 goes into effect Jan. 1. One way to describe it is as California's answer to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Though there are significant differences in the specifics, both the CCPA and GDPR will and have had significant impacts on business. Before you dismiss either as irrelevant to your organization, here are a few things to consider.

• Your brain on the holidays

  Wednesday, December 11, 2019

  One of my sisters recently noted she was about to complete a knitting class. In the midst of the hubbub of Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping and several birthday celebrations, she had committed to a multiple-session class to learn how to knit. While I assumed that would have increased her stress levels, instead she said it reduced them because it forced her to sit still each class, concentrate on something completely new to her and best of all, would result in the creation of several gifts. Research by a few professors at Harvard confirms her claims.

• Should you take a new job in 2020?

  Wednesday, December 04, 2019

  Many of us have faced Monday mornings that inspire us to surf LinkedIn jobs on an incognito tab by Monday afternoon. At year-end, we often see an uptick in job searches, terminations and overall employment changes. For those facing the prospect (or dream) of a new job in 2020, here are a few questions to consider before making the move.

• The skinny guide to office gift-giving

  Tuesday, December 03, 2019

  No one needs any more coffee mugs, motivational calendars, or Panera gift certificates. However, neutral, non-offensive, somewhat practical tokens are what office gift-giving is all about! Instead of stressing over whether to buy everyone the same thing or opt-out of exchanging gifts entirely, check out this skinny guide to office gift-giving. For example, when buying gifts for co-workers, one of the best things to do is pick a price and a theme.

• The office holiday party plus-one mystery

  Tuesday, November 26, 2019

  Holiday parties can range from black tie to alcohol-infused harbor cruises. From low-key shindigs to high-brow extravaganzas, holiday parties can be as fun as they are challenging. While it may seem like a great time, parties can be fraught with awkward decisions, especially when it comes to who is attending. Here are a few tips for handling the plus-one on the invite.

• Is there something you’re meant to do?

  Friday, November 22, 2019

  Whether it is the cold weather sweeping across the country, the shorter daylight hours or the end of the year, many of my clients and colleagues have recently wondered aloud whether they are in the right place or doing the right thing. While questioning our professional purpose can be disconcerting, it can also be a healthy exercise. Here are a few tips for facing the big question of whether we are doing what we are meant to do.

• A leader’s guide to collaboration

  Wednesday, November 20, 2019

  "Great, we can collab!" That was what one of my colleagues said to me a few weeks back, which, being the geek that I am, inspired me to read about collaboration (as well as think about whether I could ever utter the word collab and not sound like an idiot). Fortunately for me, a lot has been written quite recently about the science behind collaborative work environments. Here are a few tips for leaders to create an environment that encourages sustained, successful collaboration.

• New Year’s resolution: Hire someone different than you

  Thursday, November 14, 2019

  Process provides perspective in lieu of panic. When we face challenges, we can rely on process to get us through difficulty one reliable, tested step at a time. Any leader who has faced a potentially devastating situation and worked through it, relying on methods instead of in-the-moment emotional reactions, understands the value of process. Yet for some reason when we hire, we often miss an important aspect of process in judging candidates: differences.

• The path to leadership includes not being the smartest in the room

  Tuesday, November 12, 2019

  Experts can become successful leaders; so can non-experts. The path to leadership for the former includes understanding the limits of their expertise. Conversely, the path for the latter includes recognizing the value of their non-expert contributions. Both paths, thus, require an understanding of the benefits of specific and general knowledge and how they should be combined and used as the diverse tools they are. In other words, the path to leadership includes not being the smartest in the room.

• Mastering the customer apology in time for the holiday shopping season

  Friday, November 08, 2019

  The idea that an ill-timed or poorly delivered apology can have a negative effect is not limited to Seinfeld episodes. A working paper by Basil Halperin, referenced in the recent issue of Harvard Business Review magazine, indicates that apologizing multiple times may be worse than not apologizing at all. Therefore, the retail service apology is a delicate thing. From how it should be delivered to when it should be done, saying sorry is not as simple as it seems. In anticipation of the upcoming holiday shopping season, here are a few things to consider about why and how to apologize to customers.

• Tips from frequent flyers, medical professionals on how to stay healthy

  Wednesday, November 06, 2019

  We have been on this planet for a really long time; yet somehow, we continue to find ways to rethink the basics of our existence. At any given moment, we can find a new trend addressing what, when and even how we should eat, sleep or exercise. However, there are some among us who seem to function quite successfully outside of the trends, remaining healthy and happy despite challenging work environments. To prepare for winter, here are a few tips from medical professionals and frequent flyers on how to stay healthy despite working in environments full of germs.

• A female CEO and an HR professional walk into a bar…

  Thursday, October 31, 2019

  If you identify with either group, then your reaction to that title is likely: good for them, they probably need a drink. Unfortunately though, recent research shows that the likelihood of that meeting happening is still small. That is because female executives are still challenged by networking. And in some cases, we are the ones bringing the challenges on ourselves.

• How do you know when you’re done for the day?

  Wednesday, October 30, 2019

  As seems common in many conferences lately, the audience was asked to participate in a brief group mindfulness exercise. After we all adjusted our postures and closed our eyes, the facilitator asked us to take a deep breath and, while exhaling, acknowledge that we were done for the day, free to let our minds go and… something. I do not know what the last thing she said was, because I could not get past the phrase: done for the day. It was 4:30, how could anyone possibly be done for the day?

• Will 2020 be the year you quit your job?

  Thursday, October 24, 2019

  Quitting has often been thought of as a negative: a result of an inability to handle the pressure or requirements of the job. Now, however, quitting is becoming the hallmark of success. The tight labor market has afforded more and more of us the ability to quit our jobs for better opportunities. We are doing so across regions and industries and at a steadily increasing rate. The question is: will 2020 be the year you quit your job?

• Should your business have a podcast?

  Wednesday, October 23, 2019

  More than 50% of Americans over the age of 12 have listened to a podcast. For businesses selling goods or services directly to consumers, this confirms that podcasts are mainstream. Does this, however, mean they are a good way for us to focus our time, energy and marketing dollars? Perhaps. Here are a few things to consider before starting a podcast.

• Achieve success by planning for decline

  Wednesday, October 16, 2019

  Research and experience have shown that becoming more comfortable with the idea of death reduces the negative stress associated with dying. Like death, most of us also are either in denial of or avoid thinking about our professional decline. It is, however, hard for any of us to argue that we anticipate continuing to excel indefinitely in our current endeavors. Like becoming more comfortable with death reduces our anxiety about it, embracing the idea of the end of our success can help us deal with it. Here are a few ways to achieve success by planning for our decline.

• 3 consulting hacks leaders should adopt

  Tuesday, October 15, 2019

  It is very fun and easy to pick on consultants. They show up, charge us to tell us about our problems and then charge us more to fix them. While the animosity may be rooted in our envy of that savvy business model, there are things we can all learn from the consultative approach. Here are three consulting practices leaders should adopt.

• The skinny, 7-step guide to year-end reviews

  Friday, October 11, 2019

  Very few employees like critiquing others, and those that do are often unable to do it productively. Further, reviews very rarely have a clear line to raise amounts; in other words, it is not like getting 5 out of 5 on every category means the employee gets $5,000. For these, and many other workplace-specific reasons, performance evaluations can be a trying experience. Regardless of whether we have any control over the process or outcome, here is a skinny, seven-step guide for making the year-end review process less painful.

• Start writing your annual leadership letter now

  Wednesday, October 09, 2019

  A leadership letter can be many things: an inspiring speech at a year-end event; a note sent to each employee; or a detailed account written as an act of reflection. Regardless of the audience, annual letters are a valuable tool for leaders. Meanwhile, the fastest quarter of the year has begun. The slower, longer days of summer have given way to workweeks shortened with frequent holidays and evenings interrupted with activities, engagements and annual events. That is exactly why we should start writing our leadership letters now.

• 3 reasons not to be a workplace of choice

  Thursday, October 03, 2019

  "A genuine focus on core values" and lots of opportunity for career growth are just a couple of the highlights of two of the most well-known workplace of choice surveys. Both reflect a number of other common characteristics, but the commonalities boil down to this: employees want to feel heard, valued and empowered. Yet, as great as that all sounds, here are three reasons employers may not want to focus on being a workplace of choice.

• The professional advantages of a lateral move

  Tuesday, October 01, 2019

  Lateral moves used to be synonymous with taking a step backward. However, with the fundamental shift away from 40 years working at the same employer and retiring there, every aspect of the traditional employer-employee relationship is being questioned. Recruiters who used to frown upon multiple positions on a 10-year resume now look at it as an asset. Similarly, employees who used to think up was the only way to go are realizing career growth can follow multiple paths. Here are three advantages of making a lateral career move.

• Are mission statements actually important after all?

  Thursday, September 26, 2019

  Many of us have a love-hate relationship with mission statements. For leaders, they can be valuable tools to keep a large organization, multiple offices or a new company focused on the same core ideas. For consultants, advisory firms and organization development experts, they are often the starting point for developing strategic plans, repairing negative issues or building corporate culture. Yet, unless the organization is in some sort of transitional phase, mission statements often collect dust on the shelf. Some recent research, however, underscores the importance of the words used in mission statements.

• Recruiting, retention and the spouse factor

  Tuesday, September 24, 2019

  The battle for highly skilled employees is tight. While tech companies and firms in large markets have used pay, amazing benefits and career growth to create magnetic workplaces; traditional and smaller companies have found other ways to compete. The recent increase in paid maternity leave, extended paternity leave and flexible work schedules and locations are all indicators of organizations’ desires to attract and keep their skilled workforce. Underlying all of this talent management is a critical component: the significant other. Here are a few tips for understanding and incorporating the spouse factor into hiring and retention.

• How do busy people find time to read?

  Friday, September 20, 2019

  Reading is fundamental. Yet somewhere on the path from all-nighters in college to here, most of us lost the drive, time or impetus to read with the intensity, purpose or sheer volume we did when we were in school. As leaders, though, we are required to use our brains to solve problems, remain innovative and inspire creativity. Books provide a great counter-balance to experience when developing and maintaining that muscle. Here are a few reasons and ways to bring reading back into the daily routine.

• Wielding the power of offline discussions

  Wednesday, September 18, 2019

  Meetings can be the bane of our existence or a boon to our productivity and culture. Similarly, how we prepare for them can range from winging it to massive PowerPoint decks with handouts. Whether it is a quarterly board meeting or a weekly team meeting, offline discussions can make or break the effectiveness of the time we spend together. Here are a few tips and tricks for avoiding underlying pitfalls and making the most of offline discussions to better optimize our meetings.

• The best practices behind annoying communication jargon

  Friday, September 13, 2019

  Across industries, words and phrases are created, adopted or co-opted to convey concepts specific to the business. Using the word outside of the office context can range from slightly odd to completely confusing. Using jargon inside the work environment can go from completely necessary (finish the WENUS) to completely annoying (the next person who says the word shenanigans). Here are a few of the best practices behind oft-used jargon and how to ensure your use aligns with your intent.

• Why doing everything right away is not always a best practice

  Wednesday, September 11, 2019

  As an avid follower of the Getting Things Done system, I am a big fan of doing something right away if it takes two minutes or less. However, I have found sometimes where, counterintuitively, it seems best to wait a bit before playing whack-a-mole with issues as they arise. Here are a few examples of when doing things right away may not always be a best practice.

• How to build a culture of trust

  Thursday, September 05, 2019

  Toxic employees can infect other staff and bring down morale. The negative cultures they create can bring down the organization. But short of firing everyone and starting again, how do you build a team that trusts each other? Here are three steps to repairing the damage and building a culture of trust.

• Should employers provide food at work?

  Wednesday, September 04, 2019

  Work trends in Silicon Valley tend to get broadcast as the new standard, even when the space, budget and intent surrounding them are unrealistic or out of line for most companies. The good thing is, by the time those ideas make it to us on Main Street, they have been filtered through reality. As businesses look more at ways to attract and retain employees in a competitive market, food can seem like a no-brainer. Whether you have a fully stocked breakroom or a lonely coffee pot, here are a few things to consider about providing food at work.

• 3 takeaways from the recent Business Roundtable statement

  Wednesday, August 28, 2019

  Why should small businesses care about the recent statement from the Business Roundtable? After all, the lobbying group represents some of the largest and most powerful companies in America and thus is not necessarily representative of the thoughts, feelings and challenges of our country's smaller organizations. However, before moving on to the next headline, business and HR leaders should consider these three takeaways.

• Can you recession-proof your job?

  Tuesday, August 27, 2019

  Whether you believe that Big Macs or RV sales predict recessions, it seems at least that the continued talk of a recession is certainly on the horizon. Yet, with more of us gainfully employed and the job market so seeker-friendly, should we care? Yes; just like how it is easier to find a job when we already have one, it is easier to plan for a recession when we are not in one. Here are a few things to consider when trying to recession-proof your job.

• 3 steps to new employee success

  Wednesday, August 21, 2019

  The honeymoon period for new employees provides a prime time to set the stage for unlimited success. While some employers unfortunately also call this the introductory period and try to use it as an evaluation window within which to weed out new hires, we should look at it as a litmus test for our own success and a chance to invest in the success of an employee. Employees come in ready to make an impact, optimistic about the opportunity and eager to learn. Here are three steps to take to fan that flame of enthusiasm into a sustainable fire.

• 3 steps to get back to that new employee feeling

  Tuesday, August 20, 2019

  New employees show up eager, optimistic and open. The blank slate of opportunity at a new job, often combined with the joy of leaving an old job, can be quite inspiring. However, even those among us who truly enjoy our positions tend to face waning enthusiasm every now and again. And the eagerness with which we looked at new opportunities or the bring-it-on attitude with which we faced problems may be even harder to come by. Instead of losing touch with them altogether, take these steps to get back to that new employee feeling.

• Why PIPs should be a manager’s favorite tool

  Friday, August 16, 2019

  Performance improvement plans (PIPs) are these amazing little forms that can pave a smoother path to professional growth or termination. They can end bad behavior and create positive new habits. Unfortunately, they require a few things of which we do not often have enough: time, patience and focus. Here are a few reasons why PIPs should be a manager’s favorite tool and how they should be used.

• Find something more important than your passion

  Thursday, August 15, 2019

  It turns out that trying to find our passion may be a futile search. For those of us who believe a passion is something we have and just need to discover, we may be setting ourselves up to fail. Researchers at Stanford and Yale found that those of us who believe passions can be found also tend to believe that once we find our passion, it will provide us with limitless motivation. Unfortunately, this means we may bounce from one thing to another, because as soon as the activity becomes difficult or unmotivating, we tend to believe it is because it is not our passion.

• Simple solutions to 3 awkward problems

  Thursday, August 08, 2019

  Working in healthcare means we are used to many scenarios and have many tools to handle bizarre, uncomfortable or intimately private situations. For the most part, we have honed these skills around patient-centered issues. Conversely, many of us lack the experience to address tricky situations with each other. To help translate those patient-centered skills to compassion for a colleague, here are simple solutions to three awkward problems.

• The problem with nice employees

  Tuesday, August 06, 2019

  Though I have never been accused of being nice at work, my sister suffers from chronic niceness. She recently joked if she ever had to terminate someone, instead of firing them, she would likely end up baking them cookies and finding some way to share her job, à la Norm Peterson from "Cheers." While I would love to work in a place full of people like my sister, I am not sure how productive it would be. Here are some problems with nice employees and a few ways we figured out to address them so everyone wins.

• Why and how to actively retain and recruit introverts

  Thursday, August 01, 2019

  Quiet and introspective are not words any of us tend to use in our job postings. Instead, we focus on "high-energy" and "dynamic" team players. Doing so, however, can leave out a significant pool of qualified applicants. In this employee-friendly market, limiting our pool of potential candidates helps no one. Instead, consider these simple steps to understand and actively recruit introverts.

• How family businesses get retail right — and what everyone can learn from them

  Wednesday, July 31, 2019

  Jokes about family businesses and the problems associated with the obligations to hire, promote or otherwise put the bloodline before the bottom line are common. However, there are a few principles of successful family retail operations that nonfamily organizations can incorporate effectively. For example, when leadership is forced to create succession planning to preserve owner intent, a couple of things happen.

• 3 ways to say no

  Friday, July 26, 2019

  No is such a powerful word, and yet few of us seem to know how to use it. We gracefully accept additional work, commitments and obligations, then spend our energy either trying to improve our time management to fit it all in or stressing about the fact that we will never have enough time to do it all. Instead of focusing our efforts on getting it all done, here are three ways to say no and save our energy.

• Common myths about employee handbooks

  Tuesday, July 23, 2019

  Employers are not required to have a handbook. That is true. State and federal regulations do, however, require employers to provide a variety of information to their employees. The easiest way to do this is often via some sort of handbook. Yet, for those organizations without a handbook, it can be easy to find excuses not to create one. Here are a few myths about handbooks and the corresponding reasons why it is a good idea for every employer to have one.

• Is there still a line between our personal and work lives?

  Monday, July 22, 2019

  Imagine if company handbooks included policies governing what personal information employees could and could not share. While there are topics that are generally discouraged, like politics and religion, we usually do not provide hard and fast rules around conversation topics and often allow the culture and the employees to create the standard. This can further blur the line between personal and work lives, which can have interesting implications for leaders.

• 3 things that make it hard to fire someone in any industry

  Thursday, July 18, 2019

  Terminations are stressful for everyone. While there are challenges unique to firing specialists in any industry, there are a few things that make it hard to fire someone regardless of industry. Here are some common challenges around terminations and strategies for addressing them. For example, documentation is one of the most common issues with terminations. In some cases, we do not have enough documentation.

• Do leaders have moral obligations to their employees?

  Thursday, July 11, 2019

  When I ask this question to clients, their employees, and my business ethics students, they all answer very clearly yes or no. When it comes to questions about morals and obligations, to have such definitive answers is pretty rare. In ethics, HR, and leadership, we are used to gray areas. So why is it that the answers I receive to this question are so black and white? Whether you answered yes or no, here are a few things to consider when it comes to the moral obligations leaders have to their employees.

• What the rest of us can learn from Deutsche Bank’s massive restructure

  Tuesday, July 09, 2019

  ​Few of us or our companies share anything obvious in common with Deutsche Bank’s woes or the massive restructure its leadership has initiated. However, we can glean several lessons from the company’s slide and this transformational change on which it is embarking. Regardless of size, industry, or life-cycle stage, the rest of us can take away several practical lessons from Deutsche Bank.

• Practical ways to think about culture

  Monday, July 08, 2019

  As leaders, we have found ways to identify our workplace culture in everything from our performance reviews and handbooks to our total rewards packages and exit interviews. We can see evidence of it everywhere and it is clear it can affect or be affected by almost every aspect of our leadership. Yet, with the pervasive nature of culture, it can be challenging to understand how to prioritize our actions in order to successfully implement our culture vision. Here are a few practical ways to think about culture to ensure we focus on what is most impactful.

• Attracted to a co-worker? Here’s what you need to know

  Tuesday, July 02, 2019

  Office romances may be at a low, yet 36% of us still report dating a co-worker. Further, considering that another study says that 76% of its survey participants would be secretive about any office romance, if any of our co-workers are good at keeping secrets, that number could be much higher. All this is to say that love, or some degree of it, does happen at work. Here is what you need to know if you are attracted to a co-worker.

• Leadership beach reads for your summer getaways

  Thursday, June 27, 2019

  Whether it is a Friday afternoon at the beach or a quick getaway to a friend’s lake house, even the most work-focused leaders find a way to get out of town and unplug during the summer. With all that relaxing time can come a lot of down time. For those of us who love reading but cannot quite get into whatever Elin Hilderbrand book is lying around the vacation house, here are a few gateway reads that might bridge the gap between work and play.

• Taking a vacation when you don’t have enough vacation time

  Wednesday, June 26, 2019

  Summer is a great time for a new job. From new grads looking to put their foot in the door to seasoned professionals just waiting for the summer to move their family across the country for an amazing opportunity, summertime is a great time to transition. Unfortunately, it is also a great time to take a vacation. For new employees at any level, this can be a challenge. Here are a few things to consider when trying to take a vacation without enough vacation time.

• Why successful onboarding begins with blunt honesty

  Friday, June 21, 2019

  Like a first date, no one expects complete honesty in an interview from either side of the conference room table. However, as we become more experienced in the process, two things can happen: we become better at dancing around the truth or we become less interested in the dance and just throw it all out there. When it comes to a successful onboarding process, that latter path, blunt honesty, is the way to go.

• How to help millennials become great leaders

  Thursday, June 20, 2019

  Instead of complaining about millennials, it is time for us to start taking responsibility for supporting their leadership development. Here are a few ways to take on the challenge. For example, one common critique of millennials is that they need exact details mapped out for them on how they can succeed and constant feedback along the way. While that may be a challenge sometimes, this is exactly the type of trait that can help us grow leaders.

• Grooming women leaders in retail

  Thursday, June 13, 2019

  Retail is often a first and safe stop for women entering or returning to the workforce because there is normally a low barrier to entry, flexible hours and, in some cases, a discount or service benefit for employees in addition to salary. The problem is that advancement within the space can be challenging for a variety of reasons. Here are some ways to overcome those challenges and help more women grow into leaders.

• How to recognize employees when summer Fridays aren’t practical

  Tuesday, June 11, 2019

  Summer Fridays refer to the practice that employees get to leave early or work remotely on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. While this can be a fantastic benefit for office workers, it can be extremely impractical to implement outside of standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. offices and cost-prohibitive to offer to nonexempt employees. This does not mean our hands are tied as leaders when it comes to giving employees a break during the summer months. Here are some other options to consider when summer Fridays are not practical.

• 3 ways knowing how to break the rules makes you a better leader

  Friday, June 07, 2019

  The best part of any ethics class I teach — for me at least — is telling the students to try to get away with something. The assignment asks them to pick an ethical dilemma previously presented by one of their classmates and then, in as much detail as possible, explain how they would work around the rules to accomplish the desired, unethical outcome. While the activities vary, there is one thing that is consistent at every school and in any class within which this is assigned: my best students are also the best at breaking the rules. Here are three ways knowing how to break the rules also makes you a better leader.

• 3 steps to a better thank you

  Wednesday, June 05, 2019

  The thank you — written or spoken — is a cornerstone of good manners. And while acts of appreciation have become more varied (shout-outs, likes and gratitude apps, to name a few) the practice of gratitude has also become easier. We can leverage this ease to send more frequent and meaningful thanks. Taking a few minutes to rethink the email thank you or get out of our private gratitude journals to send a genuine paper-and-pen thank you may be easier than it sounds and serve us in more ways than we remember.

• Should you get your MBA?

  Friday, May 31, 2019

  It used to be that a high school diploma was enough to land a good job. Then, a bachelor’s degree became the minimum standard. Now, it seems everyone is compelled to get a master’s degree. No job requires an MBA, but in many positions having the degree can validate that we possess a set of knowledge required for the role. Whether it is a perceived requirement in our industry, something to improve our network, or the pursuit of a lifelong dream, here are the reasons to — or not to — get an MBA.

• Successful leaders in real estate and development embrace these soft skills

  Thursday, May 30, 2019

  Real estate development and construction project managers excel at multitasking. Impeccable attention to detail, budget adherence and the ability to manage multiple timelines are all fundamental aspects of the job. However, to continue to advance in their fields, real estate leaders need to embrace soft skills as well. Interpersonal and communication skills are essential for successful leaders. In the case of real estate development, what often got us here — the ability to make and implement tough decisions — is not enough to advance.

• 3 millennial negotiating skills to master

  Wednesday, May 22, 2019

  For all the grief they continue to get from older generations, millennials deserve even more credit. From avocado toast to Zipcar and everything in between, the technological savvy, creativity and multicultural push from millennials has had an amazing impact on our culture. As an HR professional, one place I truly appreciate their skills is negotiating. Here are three millennial negotiation skills we should all try to master.

• How to create a successful summer internship program

  Tuesday, May 21, 2019

  It is not too late to hire interns for the summer. Many organizations who have never hired an intern fear the worst: someone who needs hand-holding, is unreliable, and comes with an educational requirement. However, with the right perspective and a few thoughtful steps, hiring a summer intern is not as burdensome as it seems, and it can be a great benefit to many organizations.

• Why understanding the time pyramid is critical for healthcare administrators

  Wednesday, May 15, 2019

  Everything that falls under the auspices of healthcare administration is complex. From budgets to billing and policy to care management, healthcare administrators at any level must understand, manage, and optimize complicated systems. As such, the actions of one healthcare administrator can impact a significant number of departments, teams and employees. Because of this, it is critical for administrators to become familiar with and embrace the time pyramid.

• Is your boss planning to fire you?

  Tuesday, May 14, 2019

  With jobs, we often go for the salary and stay for the boss — that is, until the boss starts acting weird. We have all either experienced or seen the relationships between managers and employees deteriorate. What follows is a constant stream of awkward interactions, unnecessarily tense discussions and an edgy undercurrent. Here are a few ways to tell whether the boss is considering termination.

• 3 behavior combinations the best retail leaders exhibit consistently

  Thursday, May 09, 2019

  Being open-minded, a good listener, and strategic can be good leadership characteristics. The problem is that so many times we consider these characteristics in isolation. Yes, being open-minded can make a leader approachable, but if he is also indecisive, then that open-mindedness can slow down progress. Good listeners may not be good communicators, and strategic thinkers may overlook the importance of details. Instead, here are three behavior combinations the best retail leaders exhibit consistently.

• 3 reasons to look for a job while you’re happy

  Wednesday, May 08, 2019

  Unemployment is low and a wide range of industries continue to experience job growth. As the market for talent becomes more competitive, opportunities for talented individuals increase. For many of us, the last thing we want to do is voluntarily endure the time, energy and emotional drain of a job search. However, it is in a market with lower unemployment that we may have a better chance to move up. In other words, it is now, while we are happy and gainfully employed and thus do not need to look for work that we should consider jumping into the talent pool.

• Leadership styles and deciding between 2 justifiable options

  Thursday, May 02, 2019

  We can use buzzwords to describe our leadership style and inject best practices into our routine to buttress said style. Yet, it is during the exceptions — challenging issues, difficult decisions, or other proverbial forks in the road — that the true nature of our leadership is tested and exposed. Here are a few ways deciding between two justifiable options can define our style in ways we may not realize.

• HR best practices: Lannister-style

  Tuesday, April 30, 2019

  "Game of Thrones" is such a great example of extreme cases. It is by looking at these extremes that HR practitioners can learn the limits that define best practices. Understanding these limits are especially important for us because we are so often in the situation where we are the intermediary trying to balance opposite opinions and keep everyone satisfied. This constant focus on positive outcomes can take our attention away from addressing negative behaviors. HR pros should keep these "Thrones" practices in mind as we work to create, cultivate and implement our best practices.

• Should you leave stability and join a healthcare startup?

  Thursday, April 25, 2019

  Healthcare is a $3.5 trillion market that is not renowned for its efficiency. Yet, because there are so many very different facets to the healthcare market, like drug discovery, technological innovation, health improvement, and systems change, it is ripe for opportunity. Millions of dollars are being invested in startups in all areas of the market, and growth is expected to continue as investors and companies become more sophisticated. Could this be the time to leave a stable position and jump on board a startup?

• How to identify and stop ostrich-style management

  Wednesday, April 24, 2019

  We have all come across them in our careers: managers or even whole organizations that keep their heads in the proverbial sand, refusing to acknowledge what is all around them. Whether it is something subtle like a leader who avoids conflict or more obvious, like an organization that does not have a handbook, the ostrich syndrome can affect everything from attendance to office culture. As such, it is more important than ever for leaders to identify and stop ostrich-style management.

• Performance improvement plans aren’t just for problem employees

  Friday, April 19, 2019

  Few of us like giving negative feedback. From quick tips to academic research findings, there is no shortage of advice on how to deliver it, though. One aspect rarely discussed is how to share positive feedback, because presumably everyone is good at that. However, in my work I have found that few people are good at giving either kind of feedback. Yet, because positive feedback is so much less fraught than negative, we worry about and discuss it less. Instead, we should focus on getting better at giving positive feedback to improve our ability to give negative feedback. After all, improving performance should not be limited to problem employees.

• 3 steps to impactful sexual harassment prevention training

  Wednesday, April 17, 2019

  #MeToo has had a significant impact on organizational awareness of pervasive harassment issues. The number of states implementing sexual harassment prevention training requirements continues to increase, as does the number of progressive organizations offering training regardless of external requirements. But does all this training do anything to address the problem? Here are three steps to increase the chances it does.

• The employee who cried wolf

  Thursday, April 11, 2019

  What do we do when a whiny employee keeps whining? If we cannot move them to another department, we tend to try our best to "yes" them out of our office, ignore them or delay responding in the hopes they will go away. In many cases, while the employee may continue to be annoying, taking one of these approaches is often sufficient. However, if a legitimate issue does arise, the pattern of not addressing earlier problems can come back to bite us. Here are a couple of ways to rethink the approach to the employee crying wolf in case a wolf does actually show up.

• Advertising without paying for social media clicks

  Wednesday, April 10, 2019

  Businesses in the cannabis industry are not allowed to advertise on most social media platforms. Yet, with over $10 billion invested in legal markets in 2018 alone, the industry will continue to see growth. While traditional retail products may have little in common with that industry, the lessons learned from its ability to reach customers despite restrictions on social media can be valuable to any retailer. Of course, it is not that the industry is not online. It has just had to find clever ways to infiltrate social media without paying for clicks.

• 3 simple ways to diversify your recruiting

  Thursday, April 04, 2019

  Realizing the importance and value of having a diverse team is not difficult. Instead, the challenge for many firms is where to start. For organizations with no HR or no history of doing anything other than posting on LinkedIn or seeking referrals, it can seem like a daunting task. In other cases, it is a mindset riddle: how do you ask a nondiverse team to implement diversity? To avoid analysis paralysis, here are three simple ways to begin to diversify your recruiting.

• 3 ways conferences can accelerate your career

  Wednesday, April 03, 2019

  It’s conference season! Think again if you think the best things about conferences are the goody bag and '80s flashback night. Conferences can be an incredible opportunity to accelerate our careers. Here’s how. For example, while not exactly a relaxing vacation, conferences are paid time away from work. Time away from work provides a break from our routines. This simple but significant change is a great first step to refreshing our perspective.

• The critical link between HR and retail success

  Monday, April 01, 2019

  Why go to the store when you can buy online? Presumably, there is something about the in-person experience that is more convenient, helpful or in some other way better than making the purchase from our phone or desktop. In many cases, this benefit relates directly to interpersonal interactions. Human resources can play an important role in linking the customer's experience with retail success.

• 3 reasons healthcare leaders should consider an executive coach

  Wednesday, March 27, 2019

  The healthcare industry is in a state of flux at all levels. Staffing shortages continue, and while the number of students in the pipeline is improving, care organizations of all types are finding it difficult to develop a strong bench. This increases the pressure on leaders at all levels within every type of healthcare institution to creatively lead, inspire, and balance resources with care and business management. Here are three ways leadership coaching can help.

• How HR can help with board diversity

  Tuesday, March 26, 2019

  When employees sitting around the table come from different backgrounds, generations and gender, opinions and approaches tend to vary. Those differences can spur creative conversations, unique solutions and lead to a competitive advantage. However, it is often difficult for any company to create more diversity when they have not actively pursued it in the past. HR can help address this need from the front line up to the boardroom — here's how.

• Women leaders: Helpful steps to getting your first board seat

  Wednesday, March 20, 2019

  Getting on a board is a boon for any leader. It helps propel professional growth, provides insight and perspective for companies, and advances the interests of the organization of the board on which they serve. It has been proven to increase the likelihood they will be promoted and that they will benefit economically as well. Everyone wins. Yet the percentage of women on boards is woefully low. While specialty organizations and recruiting firms are trying to address these needs, there are a few helpful steps women leaders can take right now to help themselves.

• Taking 10 minutes to escape a rut

  Friday, March 15, 2019

  Whether it has been a frustrating quarter or the job itself is not as interesting as it once was, as leaders we all face times that challenge our ability to be inspiring. Yet, our teams and organizations depend on us to bring our best regardless of challenges. While it does not work to pretend to be perfect, it does work to have tricks up our sleeve we can easily pull out when needed. Here are a few simple ways to get out of a rut and back into the leadership groove.

• Decoupling and the customer experience

  Wednesday, March 13, 2019

  It is a great time to be a consumer. On one hand, we can walk into a big-box store, find exactly the product we want, then find the least expensive option on our phone and have it delivered to our door. On the other hand, we do not have to leave the house to grocery shop, get a massage or visit the doctor. Technology has had an undeniable and, in many cases, unexpected impact on consumerism. This disruption of the traditional customer experience provides myriad threats and opportunities for all retail businesses.

• The link between feedback style and culture

  Monday, March 11, 2019

  Which one is more like your workplace? Option 1: Annual review time is like Christmas: employees count down the days, HR plans a party to celebrate, and staff look forward to the meaningful feedback and rewarding exchanges that occur during the review meeting. Or, option 2: Annual reviews are dreaded as a lot of work for managers and a demotivating experience for staff that culminates with an awkward conversation and an inevitable disconnect in promotion and raise expectations. In either case, the one thing both situations underscore is the significant impact reviews can have on the work environment.

• How to avoid getting sick on your next vacation

  Thursday, March 07, 2019

  Vacation can be that wonderful carrot, dangling out in the future. Blocking the time off on the calendar, making reservations, and other acts of preparation can add little boosts of positivity to dreary days between now and then. For some of us, it inspires cleared inboxes and finished projects, too. Unfortunately, many of us end up sick on our well-deserved breaks. Here are a few reasons we end up under the weather and some ways to get us back out enjoying it instead.

• What do elder care, robots and Japan have in common?

  Thursday, February 28, 2019

  While there is no shortage of attempts to stop or reverse it, we are all still aging. This year, for the first time in our history, there will be more of us over 65 than under 5 years old. This demographic shift, combined with our increasing longevity, will continue to exacerbate the disparities between the elderly population and those available to care for them. Japan is at the forefront of this new world; providing lessons for us all to consider.

• The real way social media helps interior design businesses

  Tuesday, February 26, 2019

  Marketing isn't the only thing Pinterest and Instagram can help designers do. The ease of posting amazing images, inspiring design boards and our portfolios makes both sites great tools for sharing more about our work, approach and style. On the flip side, both sites can wreak havoc on our productivity, self-esteem and may not directly help our marketing. There is more to these impactful platforms, and it is time to better understand and take advantage of the real ways social media helps our design businesses.

• Training is an investment, not a cost

  Wednesday, February 20, 2019

  The race to attract skilled labor is on. Productivity may be slowing but it is still moving in a positive direction, and new unemployment applications are still declining. And according to a recent analysis by The Economist, American manufacturing, particularly among "agile smaller firms using advanced techniques" may be expanding. While this tight labor market may look different than the one before the recession, one thing is consistent: the most challenging staffing shortage is in skilled labor. Because of this, organizations across industries must recognize that training is an investment, not a cost.

• An unexpected way to reignite the spark for veteran teachers

  Tuesday, February 19, 2019

  Often, professional development throughout the year is based on the newest trends, a district initiative or a fundamental requirement that just has to get done. Unfortunately, it seems the longer an educator teaches, the less value these training sessions provide. Instead of resigning yourself to boredom, try this unexpected way to reignite the teaching spark and enjoy a genuine opportunity for professional development. Instead of looking at professional development seminars as the only opportunity for professional development, consider opportunities for change as additional options for learning and growth.

• Avoid these tricky but common nonexempt traps

  Thursday, February 14, 2019

  Can't we just make everyone exempt? It would be so much easier! Employers would not have to worry about overtime budgeting or the details of whether their employee is on or off the clock when they make a request. And most employees would happily trade in their time card for a set salary, schedule flexibility and just the ability to be considered exempt. It seems everyone wins. However, the Federal Labor Standards Act is pretty clear on what type of position can be exempted from overtime rules and many of us our pushing those guidelines to their limits. Here are a few common traps and tips for how to avoid — or rectify — them.

• The easiest ways to give negative feedback

  Wednesday, February 13, 2019

  Social media may empower us to tell that restaurant what we thought about the poor service or show the shoe store how mad we are about their return policy. However, it does not help us tell our staff that they are dropping the ball. While providing negative feedback is not the best part of being a leader, it is a necessary part. Here some are easy steps to get started now.

• Why every organization needs a salary structure: A simple step in the right direction

  Friday, February 08, 2019

  While the causes of fair pay issues vary, implementing a salary structure is a simple step that can help any organization prevent and address a number of problems. In its simplest form, a salary structure is a written plan that reflects all the positions within an organization with their corresponding salary range In part two of this article series, we will review what a salary structure is and how it can be a simple step in the right direction for any size organization.

• Why every organization needs a salary structure: Understanding the problem

  Tuesday, February 05, 2019

  Does any organization really intend to discriminate against women and people of color by systematically underpaying them? Hopefully not; yet it is happening across organization size and industry. Part of the problem is that even well-intentioned organizations do not realize their internal systems may support unfair pay practices. This two-part article will explain the practices that may undermine fair play and how salary structures are a simple step to prevent and address underlying issues.

• 3 simple steps to keep graduating students engaged

  Thursday, January 31, 2019

  While the winter months may try to slow it down, time seems to speed up from now until the end of the school year. Keeping high school students engaged, particularly when graduation and myriad post-graduation opportunities await them, can be challenging. Here are three simple steps to ensure students stay focused through June.

• If you only have one HR position, make it an HRBP

  Wednesday, January 30, 2019

  One of the most common paths into HR is accidental. An ambitious employee takes on the task of general admin or reception. In the course of interacting with clients and employees, she becomes a trusted listener and learns a variety of perspectives on the business. Her ambition means she can get her normal work done and steps in to help others whenever she can. Fast forward 18 months and she is the de facto human resources person in an office manager role. As an HR professional, I believe this is where the system can breakdown. To maximize in-house talent and get the perfect blend of customized, progressive HR programs, make your one HR position an HR business partner (HRBP).

• 3 ways to better manage retail sales staffing

  Thursday, January 24, 2019

  The best business schools have always praised two things: efficiency and numbers. So, in retail, when sales go down, it makes sense to cut staff and hours, right? And from this "cut" mindset, we look for minimums: how few people do we need to stay open? What other costs can we cut to save money? Then, when we look at the bottom line, we see results from doing this and continue the same behaviors. However, this approach is not sustainable, and it excludes consideration of critical data that is less easy to measure but just as impactful on the bottom line.

• Fire fast, even in an employee market

  Wednesday, January 23, 2019

  Pay is up. Jobs are increasing. And the opportunities of the gig economy continue to unsettle traditional job paths. None of this changes the fact that it is better for culture, retention and the bottom line to fire fast. But how do we balance the imperative to fire fast with the more basic need to have staff? Here are a few tips on how to fire fast, even in an employee market.

• Why and how to change school districts

  Thursday, January 17, 2019

  While it was once commonplace to start in one classroom and stay there for 30 years, it is not any more. Whether it is a change in the cap allowing veteran teachers more credit for their experience, more charter schools within districts or the increasing competitiveness between and among struggling and successful school districts, teachers of all tenures are more mobile than ever. Here are a few tips on why and how it may be a good time to change districts.

• What’s old is new again in retail for 2019

  Wednesday, January 16, 2019

  Regardless of age or profession, every citizen in a small town understands retail’s fundamental principles: trust, word of mouth and network. As Amazon, voice-controlled devices, and smart homes change the way consumers and retail interact, these fundamental principles of human interaction will continue to become more important. Here are three old practices that will enjoy renewed importance in the year to come.

• Harassment or just being a jerk? Tips to help managers recognize, prevent, and address issues

  Tuesday, January 08, 2019

  While workplace regulations — even post-#MeToo and in employee-friendly states like California — do a lot to protect employees, there are no regulations against being a jerk. It is frustrating, but there are steps we can take to safeguard our employees and our work environment. The first of which is understanding what behaviors are officially harassment and which are not. Here are a few ways to tell and some tips on what to do about it.

• 3 of the worst work behaviors and how to beat them

  Friday, January 04, 2019

  Imagine a workplace where we all said what we meant, kept an open mind and consistently cooperated to advance the organization. It happens, these work environments do exist. However, even in the best environments, some undermining behaviors can sneak in the door. Here are three of the most challenging and some tools to deal with them.

• Repeating the past to propel progress

  Wednesday, December 19, 2018

  As humans, we tend to acknowledge the time in which we exist as unprecedented; yet, from extreme political turmoil to amazing technological advancements, the news of today repeats the news of previous generations. While it may seem this tendency to repeat ourselves stifles our progress, instead it provides amazing freedom from our limiting perspectives. This is because when each generation recognizes the previous generation has embraced similar perspectives, we can use that knowledge to advance our thinking.

• Overcome any challenge with an expert entourage

  Tuesday, December 18, 2018

  The flip of the calendar can inspire reflection and anticipation; a ready-made reason to make any change we want. With good reason, we often use this time to focus on our achievements and to motivate ourselves for continued success. One thing we often overlook while we are mapping out bigger, hairier goals and visualizing amazing accomplishments is how we can improve our ability to face challenges. And a great way to stay focused is to create an expert entourage to help us maintain our perspective when we face those inevitable obstacles in our path.

• How to be strategic when everyone sees you as tactical

  Tuesday, December 11, 2018

  One of the biggest struggles for HR professionals is getting that elusive seat at the table. In some cases, we are trapped as specialists: spend a few years doing benefits and that is all anyone will think you can do. In other cases, we are trapped as generalists: one-person HR departments must do everything and therefore are masters at nothing. It can be a frustrating cycle from which to break free. Instead of giving up, give these three steps a try.

• Respond quickly to an unexpected job opportunity with these simple moves

  Thursday, December 06, 2018

  Whether it is a last-ditch effort at year-end or an attempt to get the new year started off on the right foot, leaders often make what seem to be last-minute employment offers around this time of year. If a casual networking event has resulted in an unexpected job opportunity, make these simple moves to take full advantage of the chance. The best place to start is the easiest one for the potential employer to check: LinkedIn. Do a quick check of your profile and make any necessary updates.

• Trends in 2018 you didn’t know you missed and a few to look for in 2019

  Wednesday, December 05, 2018

  Social media has helped us all become more in tune with what is trending. However, most of us are not as hyperaware of what is trending in the workplace as we are in our nonprofessional feeds. As such, here is a quick breakdown of a few trends that made a significant mark on 2018 and a few more trends to look out for in 2019. For example, from schools to banks, nonprofits to tech companies, design thinking has left the traditional realms of the creatives and crept into cubicles everywhere.

• Overcoming career setbacks

  Monday, December 03, 2018

  The end of the year is not just for stressful mandatory fun or closing out and prepping for the next year. The end of the year is still a common time for companies to conduct layoffs. Here are a few steps to follow if you are faced with a layoff at year-end. For example, with most of us, addressing finances is the most pressing issue when unexpectedly facing unemployment. Tackle this stressor head-on, right away.

• A radical year-end challenge: 3 steps to end even a bad year on a high note

  Thursday, November 29, 2018

  When we have a great year, we can fail to take the time to think about all the work, luck and assistance that had to come together to make it possible. Conversely, when we have a bad year, we often have no problem compiling lists of reasons for why it happened. Regardless of which type of year this turns out to be, taking these three steps will help wrap up any kind of year on a good note. The first step is all about mindset. Even at the end of a terrible year, there was something or someone that shone like a light at the end of the long tunnel.

• The HR-friendly guide to holiday parties

  Tuesday, November 27, 2018

  Work parties can be like mandatory fun. In many cases, more employees would choose to have the extra time with their families, to do errands, or just rest instead of spending more hours with co-workers. And in many cases, parties can be expensive and counter-productive for employers. Instead of missing the mark with what should be a happy celebration, follow these simple steps to set the stage for a fun time.

• Do’s and don’ts: Holiday gift-giving at work

  Tuesday, November 20, 2018

  No good deed goes unpunished often holds true when it comes to holiday gift-giving at work. Instead of stressing about the cost, etiquette or unspoken rules around gifting this season, follow these simple steps to avoid the most common mistakes. For example, don't give gifts to the boss, someone else’s boss, the boss’ boss or anyone, in general in a higher position. When employees give gifts to other employees in roles above theirs, it creates the impression they are trying to gain favor.

• Get long-term employees engaged in open enrollment

  Friday, November 16, 2018

  The volume of communications, details and information thrown at us during open enrollment can be overwhelming. It is so much easier to check out and keep the same benefits than try to wade through it all. And if we have worked at the company for more than a few years, we often assume we do not need to engage because we know it all already. That is a mistake. Getting and keeping employees knowledgeable about their benefits is a great retention tool. It is also a regular reminder of the value the company places on them.

• A leader’s guide to seasonal anxiety and depression

  Tuesday, November 13, 2018

  The end of the year is synonymous with so many unique professional challenges: reconciling the grandiose goals from the beginning of the year with the current status; closing out the books; prepping for more goals and challenges in the coming year, audits, taxes, annual reporting and more. Add to that angry customers, cranky co-workers and the weird time warp that seems to ensure days pass at a faster rate between Halloween and New Year’s than any other time of year and trying to manage stress at work seems almost impossible. Unfortunately, the end of the year is no less busy outside the office.

• The golden rule or the platinum rule?

  Thursday, November 08, 2018

  Treating others the way they want to be treated sounds so much less selfish than treating others the way we want to be treated. However, it is not easy. Entire consulting practices and professional certificate programs exist to help us business folk try to decipher how someone else wants to be treated. Even with all this help, we do not always get it right. To understand why, it may help to consider both the golden and platinum rules together.

• A quick and definitive guide for mixing business, food and drinks

  Wednesday, November 07, 2018

  The holidays are upon us. Among so many other challenges and festivities at work, it also means increased opportunities for blurred lines between business, eating and drinking. Here are a few simple rules to remember in some common situations. For example, even when they can feel like mandatory fun, group meals may be the simplest social scenario to understand and follow the rules. And rule No. 1 is follow the lead.

• Stop email from secretly undermining your success

  Monday, October 29, 2018

  How awesome is email? With it, we can work remotely, delegate, share files, manage teams, stay productive while traveling and more. Yet as useful as it is, managing email can also waste time, challenge communication and foster bad habits. Here are a few simple ways to ensure email does not secretly undermine you or your team’s success. For example, with email, we can respond to anyone, anytime and anywhere; presumably, this makes us more efficient.

• 3 essential steps to avoiding leadership burnout

  Thursday, October 25, 2018

  Burnout does not always look like a heart attack, high blood pressure or weight gain. It is not only increased stress, loss of sleep or a caffeine requirement. While these physical symptoms may be the easiest to recognize, many of us have figured out ways to incorporate exercise and healthier habits into our routines thereby reducing the physical issues most commonly associated with burnout. In such cases, burnout may show up as a strained relationship, reduced free time or downtime, or daydreams of an off-the-grid escape vacation. The key is to understand what burnout looks like for us.

• Where to draw the line

  Friday, October 19, 2018

  Leaders must be clear, firm and consistent. In this article are three steps to ensure you are drawing the line at the right time, the right way and for the most benefit. For example, integrity is a big word to throw around at work. Most of us do not work in an environment that tests our ethics regularly. Yet it is because of this, many supervisors do not know where to draw the line. My specialty and favorite kind of work challenges are those that push me to think about ethics, integrity and the impact the lack of these characteristics can have on the work environment.

• A better way to explain the job to candidates

  Thursday, October 18, 2018

  Retention is directly related to new employees having a clear understanding of the position upon hiring. Candidates who ultimately succeed can hit the ground running because they are doing exactly the job they thought they were going to within the environment they expected. Conversely, those who experience a significant disconnect start off behind the curve and can have a hard time getting in sync with the leadership and their team. This problem can be minimized by incorporating a better way to explain the job to candidates.

• Orientation as a retention tool

  Friday, October 12, 2018

  Reading the handbook, reviewing benefits details and filling out paperwork are not the best ways to welcome new employees. Relegating orientation to something to get through as quickly as possible is a missed opportunity on several levels. Instead of scheduling a marathon session with HR, learn three simple ways orientation, especially in small- to medium-sized companies, can be an excellent retention tool.

• Finding more time: A CEO crash course

  Friday, October 05, 2018

  How do CEOs of massive, complex, international companies find time to exercise, sleep, and enjoy their families when so many of us in much less complicated positions can’t seem to do even one of those things regularly? While it may seem that a huge salary and an executive assistant are the answers, those only address part of the massive, relentless responsibilities of these leaders. Here are a few fundamental approaches CEOs use to control their time that the rest of us can apply.

• The positive spiral of operationalizing curiosity

  Wednesday, October 03, 2018

  Why can’t we? This is a natural first question along the path of becoming a curious company. Once we start asking, we inevitably start answering. When those efforts are positively reinforced by beneficial results, we start incorporating inquiry into our approach. Then, when we get comfortable enough asking questions as part of the routine, we begin to realize we can ask better questions in a better way. Here are a few ways to incorporate curiosity into our approach and the potential impact it can create.

• 2 steps to thriving in a dynamic environment

  Thursday, September 27, 2018

  The adage of, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person" is taken to the next level with good leaders. Some leaders embrace this constant change, seemingly feeding off it. Others, however, push hard with the idea that someday, at some point, if they just do a few more things, it will all settle down. As nice as that may sound, it is often an illusion. Planning to rest at a time in the future that never comes leads to burnout. Instead, for leaders to succeed sustainably, they must find a way to thrive in dynamic environments.

• Managing the boss: The basics

  Thursday, September 20, 2018

  Managing up is a necessary skill at any level. It can be challenging, but by default, the way we act will influence how the person above us treats us. As such, like with any management approach, it is best to be informed, proactive and purposeful. Here are a few fundamental skills and actions necessary to successfully manage the boss.

• What to do when you don’t trust a colleague

  Wednesday, September 19, 2018

  If everyone was professional, we would not need HR. While that is not exactly true, it is true that employee relations issues can take a lot of time to address for both managers and HR teams. In many cases, neither managers nor HR have the bandwidth to help resolve issues of trust. The bottom line is trust is a tricky thing to prove or disprove. Here are a few actions to take when you do not trust a colleague.

• Why every organization should hire general counsel

  Wednesday, September 05, 2018

  Even the smallest organizations can benefit from legal advice via a trusted advisor invested in the business. From personnel policies to intellectual property, general counsel who understands the organization can provide invaluable advice on a variety of items. Here are a few reasons to consider adding an attorney to your team.

• Surprising things to do if you are let go

  Friday, August 31, 2018

  Even when we see the writing on the wall, being terminated is a challenge few of us are prepared to face. For most, the natural responses swing between putting our heads down and trying to get through it as quickly as possible; and trying to craft elaborate ways to seek revenge against the perceived perpetrators. Neither are in our best interest. Instead, consider these options if you are ever let go.

• 2 strategic intangibles critical for terminations

  Thursday, August 30, 2018

  Terminations can be tricky, especially in employee-friendly states like California. And although there is no shortage of advice on best practices for reducing the risk of wrongful termination claims and other associated legal challenges, we still get it wrong often. In many cases, this is because, in addition to all the checklists, forms and steps to implement a termination, we often forget the personal side. Here are two strategic intangibles critical to a more successful termination in any state.

• 3 tips for hiring general counsel

  Tuesday, August 28, 2018

  Every organization can benefit from a formal relationship with general counsel. But how do you know what type of general counsel to get? Are they all the same? Should they be staff or on retainer? What about personality: should they be the same or serve as checks and balances to the team? Getting clear on the reasons it is good for the organization, the purpose the attorney will serve, and the associated costs are necessary steps to ensure a proper vetting process and a successful partnership going forward.

• What does your email signature say about you?

  Thursday, August 16, 2018

  Regardless of the size, recipient or intent of the message, email signature blocks are little snippets of information we send out hundreds of times per week to repeat and new receivers. They are advertisements that reflect our professionalism, personality and focus. More than just a way to get in touch, these few lines of text can be valuable messaging tools when used properly. What does your email signature say about you?

• Team building without the hassles

  Tuesday, August 14, 2018

  Ugh, team building. From HR-unfriendly happy hours or rock-climbing walls to cheesy ice-breakers and overpriced workshops, there are so many options for team building it can be numbing. Further, so many of us have had more annoying team-building experiences than positive ones it can be hard to find the motivation to participate fully, even if it might be a productive event. Enter: passive team building. Passive team building activities allow everyone to participate in a group project at their own level of social comfort.

• It’s a candidate’s market: 3 tips for employers

  Wednesday, August 08, 2018

  The recruiting process can be tough. A stronger economy and increasingly competitive sectors are making it even more difficult to retain the best candidates through multiple rounds of interviews to the offer. How do you successfully land a great new employee when they have multiple strong offers? Here are three tips for employers in a candidate’s market.

• Ideal vs. best: Rethink assumptions about the right candidate

  Friday, August 03, 2018

  Fit is like the F-word of hiring: it can mean so many different things and using it can get you in trouble. Yet, when determining which candidate to hire, how they mesh with the rest of the team is a critical component of success. We can end up distracted by the things we think are important as opposed to focusing on the things we need. Here are a few tips to help rethink assumptions and hire the right candidate, right now.

• How and why to create a personal motto

  Wednesday, August 01, 2018

  CEOs, high-level executives and recruiters have the shortest attention spans. Yet, some of our most critical professional moments require us to impress members of these groups quickly and profoundly. A personal motto can be a great tool to help us take advantage of those critical junctures in our careers as well as keep us moving forward on our career path. Here are a few tips on how and why to create a personal motto.

• Finding motivation without a raise

  Wednesday, July 25, 2018

  Once upon a time, there were clear career paths. Show up, learn the job, take courses, start managing, take on more complex projects and continue to earn increasing responsibility, with pay raises each step of the way. Yes, sometimes the other guy would get the promotion, but it was clear there was a promotion to get and it was clear what could be done for the next opportunity. Work has changed. Staying at a job for two years is no longer considered job hopping, and staying for more than five years can look like you are stagnating.

• 2 succession planning rules for unique roles

  Wednesday, July 18, 2018

  Single points of failure can instantly disrupt any business. Institutional knowledge is great unless it is locked inside one head. Having a team member that can rock multiple roles is awesome, unless the role becomes a purple unicorn that can never be replaced. Just as rock star employees can elevate the team, the productivity and acceleration they provide a business is tenuous if they cannot be replicated. Follow these two rules to create a succession plan for even the most unique role.

• 2 major ways female leaders fail ourselves — and how to stop

  Thursday, July 12, 2018

  Sometimes, it is the most obvious advice we fail to follow. After all, when we hear things over and again it can be difficult to listen with an open mind. Yet, if we step back and reconsider advice that may seem trite as a tried and true fundamental, we can shift our perspective and start to focus on nailing the basics. Here are two major ways leaders, particularly women leaders, tend to fail ourselves and how we can stop doing them.

• 3 reasons to have a side hustle

  Tuesday, July 10, 2018

  We are so busy at work that it can be difficult to believe that adding something would actually make work easier. Yet, the benefits of engaging in side projects outside the office are numerous. Whether it is a scrapbooking business or trying to write a play, here are three reasons to keep pursuing that dream and invest in your side hustle.

• 3 signs you might be an entrepreneur

  Monday, July 09, 2018

  Thanks to Silicon Valley, we all have an idea of what an entrepreneur looks like: supersmart geeks who write code. But that image of entrepreneurs is narrow, uninspiring and unrelatable for most of us. From scrappy go-getters to natural networkers, the entrepreneurs among us are as diverse as the businesses they have started. Suspend the belief that all entrepreneurs are in tech and check for these the signs you might be one yourself.

• 3 steps to build trust

  Wednesday, June 27, 2018

  Trust issues in the workplace are more common than most leaders realize. For example, the need to constantly get approval before acting; lack of risk-taking or decision-making; and unwillingness to share, ask questions or raise concerns are all signs of a lack of trust. Consequently, workplaces suffering from trust issues are not as productive, creative or efficient as they could be. Whether it is to move the team from a C- to an A or from a B+ to an A+, here are three steps leaders can take to build trust.

• How leaders can find a ‘work spouse’

  Wednesday, June 20, 2018

  Work spouses have been proven to further success, productivity and fun on the job. Having a colleague with whom you can joke, commiserate and confide with can make or break long days or rough quarters. However, the success of the work spouse relationship is based on the understanding that the two of you are equals. So how do leaders reap the benefits of work spouses when their options for befriending equals are nonexistent or extremely limited?

• Is it possible to enjoy work every day?

  Monday, June 18, 2018

  While I was inclined to say no to this question, I have been proven wrong. After asking it in the varied offices of several different clients, I was greeted with a variety of tips, tricks and methods for enjoying the time we spend at work. First, there is something very deliberate about the word enjoy. It does not imply being happy about everything. In fact, as a line manager pointed out to me, one of her favorite things about her job are problems.

• How to balance accountability and remote work in small offices

  Wednesday, June 13, 2018

  Small offices often reap the biggest benefits from remote work options. Yet, many leaders of small teams are hesitant to allow employees to work from home for two reasons: inability to maintain the same level of accountability and perceived fairness between those allowed to work from home and those that are not. Here are a few simple steps to address those concerns and balance accountability with remote work options in small offices.

• 3 counterintuitive characteristics of good bosses

  Monday, June 11, 2018

  Bosses can be leaders, managers, supervisors, team leads or project heads. Yet, despite the different responsibilities and levels within which the title boss can fall, all good bosses share the same positive characteristics of being good listeners, knowing their strengths and efficiently managing time. In addition to those well-understood traits, here are three counterintuitive characteristics of good bosses.

• 2 ways to be less busy

  Wednesday, June 06, 2018

  Busy is a four-letter word. It can be an excuse, "Sorry, I can’t, I am too busy!" Or a justification, "He’s so stressed because of how busy he is." Or even a cry for help, "I can’t do anything joyful; I am just too busy." However, tough it may seem, we can stop the busy cycle. Here are two very simple steps to reduce distractions and be less busy.

• 5 simple steps to stay connected and still relax on vacation

  Monday, June 04, 2018

  Tropical islands, mountain getaways and remote locations may force us to limit our cellphone use while we are on vacation this summer. And while some of us love the idea of disconnecting for a little digital detox while we are away, for others the thought of abandoning email, voicemail or other office lifelines may inspire more dread than relaxation. Instead of hiding in the bathroom sending emails, take these five simple steps to stay connected and still relax on vacation.

• Create your leadership niche: The how

  Tuesday, May 29, 2018

  Similar to organizations, when leaders carve out a niche, they open themselves to new opportunities. As discussed in part one of this article, specializing allows us to further strengthen our skills, grow our expertise and refine our approach. It also reinforces our position within the organization and our marketplace. Here are three ways we can create our leadership niche.

• Create your leadership niche: The why

  Wednesday, May 23, 2018

  A niche can be a scary thing for a business. It seems counterintuitive to narrow the focus of the organization, yet it is a proven way to propel new businesses and reinvigorate organizations languishing on a plateau. In this age of social media, personal branding and embracing our why, successful leaders are taking a page from the business playbook and creating their own leadership niche to propel their careers forward.

• 3 secrets of natural leaders

  Wednesday, May 16, 2018

  Some people seem to float through life effortlessly. Promotions come to them. Raises are provided. Direct reports and those on other teams naturally follow them. And people like them. What’s the difference between a leader with an advanced degree, certificates in leadership and no loyal team members and the leader down the hall who everyone turns to for real direction and guidance? Here are three secrets of natural leaders.

• Tips for tough terminations

  Tuesday, May 15, 2018

  A problem employee can have a ripple effect of toxicity in a department or organization. Oftentimes, as leaders, we know the employee must be fired but are unable to gather the evidence we feel is air-tight enough to make the case. Here are a few tips for tough terminations.

• Personality tests: The forgotten leadership tools

  Wednesday, May 09, 2018

  Buzzwords, trends and the constant refreshing of new options can make us forget the tried and true or even recently passed solutions. Personality tests can be excellent tools for improving productivity, team-building, communications and career development. As such, they are extremely practical leadership tools that should neither be forgotten nor overlooked. Here are a few reasons to add these tools back into your leadership toolbox.

• 2 tips for staying professional through a personal crisis

  Tuesday, May 08, 2018

  We all go through dynamic personal events, and they often seem to happen at the least opportune times. Whether it is divorce, death or a family crisis, two tips for staying professional through a personal crisis are to assess the situation and to plan, inside and out.

• 5 ways to get the most out of any conference

  Thursday, May 03, 2018

  Attending a conference with anyone else from your organization is a great opportunity to build, strengthen or even repair relationships. Take the time to network with purpose. For example, commit to learning something new about a team member, strengthen a relationship with someone outside your normal work circle or take action to repair any misconceptions or old wounds. Of course, conferences are also a great time to expand your network outside the office.

• Stop undervaluing individual contributors

  Tuesday, May 01, 2018

  Promotions are not always an option. Stable or small workforces may mean promotion opportunities are few and far between. Yet promotions are not the only way to inspire, appreciate and encourage our teams. It is time we stop focusing on promotions and start recognizing the value of our individual contributors. The first step to valuing individual contributors is to understand that their career path does not go up as much as it goes deeper into their field and then finding ways to facilitate that growth.

• How to think like a leader

  Thursday, April 26, 2018

  A title does not make someone a leader. In fact, leaders can be found within all levels of the organization. Yet, just as there are a few common characteristics of all leaders, there are also common ways leaders approach their work. Whether transitioning into a leadership role or looking for ways to refresh your leadership approach, here a few ways to think more like a leader.

• Leadership focus: Embrace one priority

  Tuesday, April 17, 2018

  The amount of information available at our fingertips is amazing. At any given moment, we can accomplish more, quicker. We can connect with more people, easily. And we can capture data, ideas and potential issues, simply.

• 3 reasons every organization should care about leaks

  Monday, April 16, 2018

  ​An Apple employee recently leaked an internal memo in which Apple warns employees to stop leaking information. While it is hard not to enjoy the irony of a leaked memo warning against leaked information, the incident has highlighted a sensitive issue that reaches far beyond Silicon Valley. Here are three reasons every organization should care about leaks.

• Start off right with the new boss

  Thursday, April 12, 2018

  Whether the new boss was promoted from within or an unknown entity, getting off on the right foot is critical to setting the stage for the new relationship. Here are a few simple tips about what to do — and not do — to start off right with the new boss.

• 3 easy leadership upgrades

  Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  ​One common characteristic of good leaders is that they are always working on being better. Sometimes that involves indulging in a formal, off-site leadership program at a big-name school. Other times, it can be more reflective: taking the time to read and learn from a compelling book.

• Spring is here: 3 simple tips to re‑energize at work

  Tuesday, April 03, 2018

  Even after all the seemingly nonstop, massive weather events around the country this winter, spring is still fighting its way into our lives. Encourage it by using these three tips to add a little spring to your step and re-energize at work.

• The benefits of talking less in the workplace

  Thursday, March 29, 2018

  Living in Southern California for 10 years, I have seen colleagues participate in many kinds of fasts. Food-oriented ones dominated for a while: juice, water, soup and broth were all common. But over the last few years technology fasts — cellphone diets and vacations from TV — have become popular. Whether it was crankiness, weight loss or the inability to text about "Game of Thrones," I always noticed and enjoyed comparing the before-and-after differences.

• 3 steps leaders can take to achieve and encourage flow

  Tuesday, March 27, 2018

  ​​Working in a flow state allows anyone from a cashier to an extreme athlete to accomplish amazing things. Experiencing flow states in the office increases pleasure and creativity, produces lasting satisfaction and better results faster, plus it reduces stress.

• 4 reasons to encourage flow states at work

  Tuesday, March 20, 2018

  Sports championships, scientific breakthroughs, technological developments — in addition to reams of negative political events, the news is constantly full of stories of amazing achievements few of us could have ever predicted. Records are broken regularly, huge advances are made in the fields of medicine, and innovative solutions have become as common as downloading a new app.

• How to be funny at work

  Thursday, March 15, 2018

  ​Laughing releases stress, increases productivity and supports team-building. On the other hand, a failed attempt at humor can increase tension, undermine motivation and decrease engagement. Most of us determined long ago using humor as a workplace tool was not worth the risk. But what if you had an HR-approved method for being funny? Here are a few tips for being appropriately funny at work.

• Self-promotion tips for introverts

  Tuesday, March 13, 2018

  ​Social media, email and chat services provide fantastic opportunities for us nonsocial butterflies to interact with more people in a less uncomfortable way. Yet no matter how much technology affords us the ability to indulge our introversion, professional self-promotion can be supremely helpful for any career. Here are a few self-promotion tips for introverts.

• Frustrating HR rules demystified: Part 2

  Thursday, March 08, 2018

  ​Working with HR can be frustrating. HR professionals often seemed closed off or compelled to look at things as right or wrong, with no gray areas. Further, HR pros are not always at liberty — because of confidentiality, regulations, demands by leadership or simply lack of resources — to explain the why behind their actions.

• Frustrating HR rules demystified: Part 1

  Thursday, March 01, 2018

  Working in HR for so many years, I am acutely aware that my colleagues and I are not always celebrated for our contributions. For the most part, our intentions are positive. But our goal — to protect the business from itself — often puts us in situations where we are trying to convince people to stop or change the way they are doing things. This is not always welcome.

• Should you quit and start your own business?

  Tuesday, February 20, 2018

  If you are thinking about it and have been for a while, then the answer is probably yes. Making the move, however, can be fraught with challenges.

• Leaders: Get more out of HR

  Thursday, February 15, 2018

  ​Like nurses and teachers, HR professionals are often overlooked unless they are both excellent at what they do and have an opportunity to exemplify that excellence by helping leaders directly. This limits both the HR person and the benefit they can provide the company.

• The less glamorous side of strategy

  Tuesday, February 13, 2018

  Operational excellence is essential for success in any business. Yet it does not get the attention strategy does, even though we all know it is critical. It is just feels a little cooler to talk about strategic impact than the nuts and bolts of management. Without good management, though, strategic plans could not be implemented, and their impact could not be measured.

• Do this today, lead better tomorrow

  Wednesday, February 07, 2018

  Even strong leaders need to recalibrate occasionally. Whether it is a head-clearing weekend getaway or an out-of-office conference, taking a physical break from the workspace can recharge our minds and reinspire our thinking.

• Develop influencers, not just leaders

  Thursday, February 01, 2018

  Talent management, professional development and mentoring programs often focus on spotting potential leaders and developing their talent. While having a pipeline of leadership candidates is beneficial, these programs often overlook the importance of influencers.

• Make the most of any shared workspace

  Tuesday, January 30, 2018

  ​Whether your team consists of four employees working in a front office or 50 workers in a vast cubicle space, shared office spaces have their issues. Here are a few simple ways to ensure employees get the most out of their work environment.

• Leadership lessons from Venus Williams

  Thursday, January 25, 2018

  Despite losing in the first round of this year's Australian Open, Venus Williams is successful by any measure. She has won seven Grand Slam titles — including five Wimbledon championships — and 49 total tournaments in her professional career.

• 7 tips for hiring outside investigators

  Tuesday, January 23, 2018

  Over the course of 2017, the news provided us with ample evidence as to why conducting fair, impartial investigations in the workplace is so critical for all involved. The key is to act quickly and thoughtfully, engage employment counsel early on and use these tips as a guide to help you find the right investigator.

• Fixing healthcare: Redefine the meaning of success

  Tuesday, January 16, 2018

  From the opioid crisis to complicated billing and reimbursement structures, it seems almost every facet of healthcare has issues. Yet this mountain of problems is not insurmountable. In fact, the opportunity for the greatest impact and most positive change is something that starts on an individual level: creating better support systems for medical professionals.

• Fixing healthcare: Improve the work environment

  Monday, January 08, 2018

  ​Our healthcare system has no shortage of challenges. Yet the opportunity for the greatest impact and most positive change is something that starts on an individual level: creating better support systems for medical professionals.

• Fixing healthcare: Start supporting medical professionals

  Tuesday, January 02, 2018

  ​Our healthcare system has no shortage of challenges. From the opioid crisis to complicated billing and reimbursement structures, it seems almost every facet of care has issues.

• 3 reasons to not use the holiday break to catch up

  Tuesday, December 19, 2017

  It is generally understood in the world of corner offices and cubicles not to expect any work to get done during the week between Christmas and New Year's. Whether you celebrate the holidays or not, most people in most offices are on break.

• Leadership strategies: Small businesses and sexual harassment

  Thursday, December 14, 2017

  Small businesses are not immune to sexual harassment problems. Most small businesses — from doctor's offices to car dealerships — are still predominantly owned by men, according to the Census Bureau. And in many towns, these business owners wield a lot of power and influence, which can make it extremely challenging for employees to speak out against harassment.

• Creative leaders: Make time for inspiration

  Tuesday, December 12, 2017

  We often overlook things that are too simple, delaying them for a time that never comes or not making the time because it does not seem big enough to add to a list or calendar. Yet taking some simple steps, regularly, can prove to be the difference between being a creative leader and a stressed manager.

• Reduce stress by rewriting your job description

  Thursday, December 07, 2017

  Dissatisfaction with work can affect even the happiest employees from executive down to the front line. Sometimes it can be directly attributed to a discrete event: a new boss, lack of promotion, change in business strategy. However, it can also be the result of a less obvious and more pervasive problem: an inaccurate job description.

• Creative leaders: Look outside your circle

  Tuesday, December 05, 2017

  ​Leaders can get stuck in a rut. To avoid the rut, it helps to have a few simple tricks to keep the creative juices flowing. While it is not always about embracing every new, shiny theory, it does require effort, practice and some attempt to stay current.

• Creative leaders: Embrace the reverse pilot

  Monday, November 27, 2017

  Good leaders stay on top of their game by remaining dynamic. While it is not always about embracing every new, shiny theory, it does require effort, practice and some attempt to stay current. This three-part series for creative leaders will highlight a few non-traditional strategies to add to that leadership bag of tricks. We will start by discussing the reverse pilot. Simply put, the idea is to strip away useless or productivity-killing activities.

• Finding extra time at year-end

  Monday, November 20, 2017

  ​The end is near! In addition to wrapping up projects for year- and quarter-end, reviewing budgets and planning for next year, we also have time off for holidays and sick, stressed and overworked employees. Here are a few ways to carve out time to ensure we remain healthy, productive and clear-headed during the most wonderful time of the year.

• Build a better holiday party this year

  Thursday, November 16, 2017

  Nothing should be assumed to be obvious about a holiday party. From a well-behaved-but-unwelcome child to an underdressed manager to a drunk employee, awkward situations can be minimized.

• Saying no to the boss

  Tuesday, November 14, 2017

  Trying to work through a disagreement with a co-worker can be frustrating. However, in most cases if it is too difficult to approach her or we have reached an impasse, we can go to a third party like HR or our boss to help us straighten it out.

• 2 steps to adjust your leadership perspective

  Thursday, November 09, 2017

  Leading for a long time has many benefits: calm composure, wide-ranging perspective and wisdom from handling diverse experiences. Unfortunately, it can often lead to complacency. We become set in our ways, sure that our tenure means we know best.

• From co-worker to boss: Tips to manage former peers

  Tuesday, November 07, 2017

  ​Congratulations! You finally got that long-overdue promotion (and raise). Now all that time spent complaining about being underpaid and that the boss is an idiot can be time spent trying to get the co-workers you complained to and with to do their work.

• 3 ways to keep your team healthy this winter

  Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  We are coming up on the most wonderful time of the year — for CVS, Kleenex and doctor's offices. According to the CDC, cold and flu season costs businesses billions of dollars and employees millions of sick days every year.

• Hiring for now vs. forever: Embrace the differences

  Tuesday, October 24, 2017

  ​It is not always the best thing to hire employees with the intention of keeping them forever. ​In the first part of this two-part series, we reviewed the valuable role for now employees can play at key points in an organization's life cycle. This article explains how to embrace the differences between for now and forever employees and tailor the hiring process to bring in the most appropriate candidate.

• 2 simple steps to handle stupidity

  Thursday, October 19, 2017

  Sometimes it is difficult to escape stupidity at work. Whether it is an irritating co-worker, a micromanaging boss or just a case of the Mondays, foolishness can be lurking in the next meeting. Instead of seeking revenge, harboring bad feelings or letting an otherwise benign but annoying behavior derail a good day, handle stupidity with these two simple steps.

• Hiring for now vs. forever: Filling a need

  Tuesday, October 17, 2017

  Not every employee is a forever employee. Some hires are perfect for different times in the organization. The key is to hire the right employee for each business phase. This two-part series will explain the difference between for now and forever employees and how to tailor the hiring process to capture the most appropriate candidates.

• 3 ways leaders can improve open enrollment

  Tuesday, October 10, 2017

  As leaders, we may be thrilled that we are not the ones leading open enrollment. Most of us barely have the interest or patience to handle our own coverage questions, let alone blow up balloons, coordinate events, and stay late to help others figure it out. Yet by leaving open enrollment up to HR or the brokers, we are missing an opportunity to reinforce a positive culture. Here are three simple, yet impactful, ways leaders can improve open enrollment.

• Get more out of open enrollment

  Wednesday, October 04, 2017

  Would you rather go through your inbox, do your taxes, clean your toilet or research healthcare options? An Aflac survey from 2015 found a significant number of people would rank researching healthcare last on that list.

• Tips to nip awkward workplace situations in the bud

  Monday, October 02, 2017

  Jen's perfume is bothering Carol. No one cares about Steve's six cats. Sue gets upset when John clears his throat so vigorously in meetings. As leaders, we often become the mediator of unusual interpersonal issues. Though we may want to ignore them, doing so can allow the situation to blossom into a real problem. Here are some tips to nip awkward situations in the bud.

• Is your workplace undermining women?

  Tuesday, September 26, 2017

  Blatant sexual harassment and hostile work environments are making headlines a lot lately. Fortunately, most of us are not working in offices that reflect the extreme circumstances described in many of the complaints. Unfortunately, many of our offices are unwittingly unequal.

• How terminations can improve morale

  Thursday, September 21, 2017

  ​Because terminations are the ultimate confrontation at work, few people feel comfortable conducting them. As a result, marginal employees may end up staying around longer than they should.

• Secret weapons of successful leaders: Simplify

  Tuesday, September 19, 2017

  In Part 1 of this article, we discussed sleep as one of the most powerful secret weapons of successful leaders. In this article, we will review two more tricks of the trade and ways to implement them right now.

• Creating a culture of productive meetings

  Friday, September 15, 2017

  Did you know meetings can actually be productive? This is not fake news. As leaders, it is up to us to ensure all the meetings within our organization are an efficient and effective use of staff time.

• Secret weapons of successful leaders: Sleep

  Tuesday, September 12, 2017

  It is easy to find MBA programs, seminars, conferences, books and podcasts teaching the various traits and characteristics of successful leaders. While many of us can use these tools to become more strategic, focused, confident and inspiring, having those traits does not guarantee leadership success.

• Add these 3 questions to every interview

  Tuesday, September 05, 2017

  We are constantly looking for ways to streamline our hiring processes while ensuring we only bring the best and brightest stars into our organizations. Yet, despite brilliant applicant tracking systems, targeted job announcements and thorough background screening services, we tend to rely heavily on the interview and our feeling about the candidate during and after the meeting.

• How not to give a presentation

  Thursday, August 31, 2017

  Most of us consider public speaking and attending meetings as two of our least favorite things. Yet as leaders, we regularly run meetings, speak at conferences, give feedback and attend networking events.

• 3 secrets to leading small teams

  Tuesday, August 29, 2017

  Whether we are running a department or an entire organization, leading small teams can have its own special challenges. Long-tenured staff have institutional knowledge and idiosyncrasies, newbies can have a hard time getting into sync with co-workers who finish each other's sentences, and everyone knows the quickest and best way to get on each other's nerves.

• 3 ways to spot a future star

  Tuesday, August 22, 2017

  As leaders, we often face challenges that require us to creatively reallocate our resources. Taking a second look at our teams can help us spot future stars and create a deeper bench in the process.

• How and why to practice gratitude at work

  Thursday, August 17, 2017

  Whether or not we love our job, boss, commute, pay or team, there are several good reasons to practice gratitude at work. Here are simple ways to flex those appreciation muscles and start enjoying the healthy benefits.

• The subtle failures of leaders

  Tuesday, August 15, 2017

  Leaders are often in charge of finding our own areas of growth. This becomes more challenging to do the longer we lead, but it is not because we have become so amazing — it is because it becomes more difficult for others give us feedback.

• How to switch careers: Get the interview

  Tuesday, August 08, 2017

  Any particularly bad day in the office can inspire us to think about a career change. But taking the next steps requires more than just a lot of bad days in a row.

• Successful leaders control their time

  Thursday, August 03, 2017

  ​Being busy does not mean we are successful, happy or even good at what we do. It can mean we are invigorated by our work and enjoy filling every free minute doing or thinking about it. But often, we are busy because of someone else's poor planning, emergency or inefficiency.

• How to switch careers: Creating the story

  Tuesday, August 01, 2017

  Switching careers may be more common now than ever, but that does not make it easy. This three-part series examines the nuts and bolts of making a career change. The first article outlined how to determine if a change is the right move. This article will explain the next step in making a career change: creating the story.

• How to switch careers: Time for a change?

  Tuesday, July 25, 2017

  Some people grow into their work; others know exactly what they want to be and do from day one. But many of us yearn for a change. We may stay in our position because there are parts of the job we love. Or worse, we may stay because we excel at what we do, even though we do not care about it. Either way, we consistently have a feeling that we could get more fulfillment from all that time we spend in the office and have started entertaining thoughts of a career change.

• Learning about leadership is not the same as leading

  Thursday, July 20, 2017

  Leadership is a multimillion-dollar industry. From online articles to MBAs, business coaches to executive retreats, we are all finding ways to spend our organization's money developing our leadership skills. But there is a huge difference between learning leadership skills and applying them. Here are three practical steps to taking all that leadership knowledge and applying it right now.

• Stop rewarding efficiency with more work

  Tuesday, July 18, 2017

  Diligent, loyal, committed employees are easy to take advantage of — whether we mean to or not. They show up ready to work and often work far longer or harder than we expect because they are almost incapable of giving anything less than 100 percent.

• 3 ways to be more strategic

  Thursday, July 13, 2017

  There are things we know, things we know we don't know and — to paraphrase former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld — things we don't know that we don't know. Being strategic often falls into that last category.

• Do leaders need to be inspiring?

  Tuesday, July 11, 2017

  Does the founding partner at a law firm need to be as inspiring as the executive director at an equally-large nonprofit? The adjectives describing the type of leader we are have become critical. This three-part series reviews some common but different leadership descriptors and whether to embrace or ignore them. This article considers when and whether it is important to be an inspiring leader.

• Do leaders need to be transparent?

  Wednesday, July 05, 2017

  Does transparency equate to trustworthy? How transparent do leaders need to be to create a transparent culture? The adjectives describing the type of leader we are have become critical. This three-part series reviews some common but different leadership descriptors and whether to embrace or ignore them. This article considers different perspectives of transparent leadership.

• Do leaders need to be innovative?

  Wednesday, June 28, 2017

  Buzzwords can develop a life of their own. Being called a leader used to be sufficient. Now, the adjectives describing the type of leader we are have become critical. From authentic to zero-tolerance, compassionate to servant, we are recognizing the sometimes-vast but more often nuanced differences in leadership styles.

• Should your office manager be exempt?

  Wednesday, June 21, 2017

  Determining whether a position meets the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for overtime exemption is fairly straightforward for most positions. However, executive assistants and office mangers — roles that so many leaders rely so heavily on — are often classified as exempt from overtime by the organization, but considered eligible for overtime by the federal government. Here is the good news and bad news about whether that office manager is really exempt.

• The path from manager to leader

  Monday, June 19, 2017

  Whether it is because of a promotion, a new job or a comment on a performance review, becoming a good leader is challenging. To make it easier, take note of these three shifts that occur on the path from manager to leader. They include going from reactive to composed, being more farsighted, and the clarity of one's purpose.

• How to remain authentic when terminating an employee

  Monday, June 12, 2017

  Well-intentioned legal advice, fears of lawsuits and simply the awfulness of the conversation can leave many business leaders dreading terminations. Unfortunately, that often results in mediocre employees getting more chances than they deserve, which can have a negative effect on the rest of the office.

• Create a 2-item to-do list to ease your stress

  Friday, June 09, 2017

  A two-item to-do list will decrease stress while increasing productivity. But going from a massive to-do list with an overscheduled calendar down to two significant items per day is not easy. Here are the keys to creating and sticking to a two-item to-do list.

• 3 ways to rethink your cellphone use

  Tuesday, June 06, 2017

  ​Early business cellphones were amazing productivity tools. We did not have to wait to plug in to the hotel room internet when we were on the road. We could take conference calls in the car, and even forego our laptops and just connect via our phone at a coffee shop or in the airport.

• Take a break from asking why

  Wednesday, May 31, 2017

  ​A well-worn Post-it displaying "WHY" with a circle around it and line through it was hanging from my colleague Pam's monitor. She is respected for her fair, objective approach and is considered by subordinates and peers to be professional, composed and accomplished.

• How to return from vacation successfully

  Friday, May 26, 2017

  ​​Preparing to leave for vacation is only half the process in ensuring we take a successful vacation. Taking steps to return from time off feeling refreshed and ready to take on whatever awaits is the second critical step in taking a successful vacation.

• How to take a vacation successfully

  Tuesday, May 23, 2017

  ​Feeling rushed and stressed is no way to start a vacation. Similarly, feeling exhausted and full of dread is no way to return to work after a vacation. In this two-part article, we will look at how to successfully take and return from a vacation.

• Stop doing that: How to take job duties away from an employee

  Tuesday, May 16, 2017

  Which is more difficult: taking work away from an employee or giving her additional work? For any manager who has tried to reallocate responsibilities among staff, it is clear that taking away work can be just as difficult as adding it. Here are three reasons employees may want to keep their responsibilities and when and how to take them away.

• How and why to embrace vulnerability

  Thursday, May 11, 2017

  Why would you want to be vulnerable at work? As a woman, it is certainly not an approach I would have ever embraced — at least not openly in the office. But for skeptics like me, there are benefits to understanding why and how to embrace vulnerability, even at work.

• Why can’t we wear shorts to work?

  Tuesday, May 09, 2017

  How are strappy heels OK but sandals are not? Unless employers require uniforms, dress codes will always be open to discussion. And nothing brings out the best discussions like warm weather. While I will sometimes concede that men may have a more challenging time with dressing for higher temperatures than women, here are a few ways to roll out a fair summer update to the dress code.

• How to handle jerks at work

  Tuesday, May 02, 2017

  ​Yelling, swearing, tantrums. It is amazing and surprising sometimes the types of behavior adults exhibit at work. As managers and leaders, we may be experienced at helping employees work through such situations, but what do we do when it happens to us?

• (Not) looking for a job at work

  Tuesday, April 25, 2017

  As leaders, we try not to spend too much time thinking about how much time our employees are looking for jobs while they are at work. Yet, as employees, we all know the best time to look for a job is when we have a job and while we are working at it.

• Leader or manager? 3 ways to tell

  Monday, April 24, 2017

  Are you a leader who spends a lot of time managing people, projects and goals? Or are you the one who drives and motivates others yet are not officially recognized as a leader? Everyone — from long-tenured employees with institutional knowledge to entrepreneurs, small business owners and those new or returning to the workforce — often performs a variety of roles to address the needs of the organization. But who is a leader and who is a manager? Here are three ways to tell.

• 4 signs you need a little refresh

  Thursday, April 20, 2017

  Daily routines can be a welcome thing — even downright comforting sometimes when everything else is chaotic. However, there is a fine line between an efficient routine and getting stuck in a rut. Here are four ways to tell you need a refresh.

• When you should fake it

  Tuesday, April 18, 2017

  Driving, swimming and being pregnant are good examples of when "fake it until you make it" is clearly not a good idea. Surprisingly, though, there are a lot of great times when this philosophy can really benefit us at work. Here are three scenarios where a quick fake can have a positive impact.

• 3 ways to approach an awkward conversation

  Tuesday, April 11, 2017

  Maybe the receptionist wears too much perfume. Or one of the accountants is always microwaving fish and broccoli in the break room. Perhaps the analyst you really want to promote just will not tuck his shirt in and keeps trying to convince everyone sneakers are dress shoes.

• It’s time to spring clean your brain

  Monday, April 03, 2017

  ​The promise of sunnier weather is a nice excuse to engage in a little deep cleaning. While it can be richly rewarding to discover the back of our closets, the clean surfaces of our desks and the joy of riding in an immaculate car, taking a little time to clean out the clutter in our minds can be even more beneficial.

• 3 basic interview tricks everyone forgets

  Thursday, March 30, 2017

  ​The internet provides thousands of tips and tricks for nailing job interviews. However, sometimes we can get so lost in the advanced methods or overwhelmed by the preponderance of information available that we forget the basics of an interview. Here are three basic but critical steps to take to ensure any interview is a success.

• 3 ways to tell whether to push through or cut your losses

  Monday, March 27, 2017

  ​We set milestones, develop metrics and create plans to monitor our success. We know exactly what it takes to accomplish our goals and get where we need to go. We monitor the variables that affect our trajectory, the availability of resources and the pace at which we use them. There is no question that we must set up systems and an infrastructure to know exactly where we are on our path.

• 2 fundamental reasons performance reviews fail

  Tuesday, March 21, 2017

  Performance reviews are awful. They are so difficult to get right, yet companies continue to cling to them as the only way to measure individual employee success. While many organizations have adjusted to account for newer, better tools, they still face problems with effectively measuring improvements or addressing behaviors. The reason is, regardless of the tool used, there are fundamental mistakes many organizations make that will doom the success of any evaluation method.

• How to work less and accomplish more

  Monday, March 13, 2017

  Perhaps with just one more day in the week, we could get all our work done. Or maybe even with just a few uninterrupted hours, we could achieve an empty inbox or completed to-do list. Then, we could take a minute to indulge in more creative pursuits. Yes, if we were just given the chance to work a little more, we could get it all done and then do something fun.

• How to increase ideas and reduce complaints right now

  Friday, March 10, 2017

  As leaders, we have the luxury of making and implementing decisions rather quickly. Instead of having to convince layers of people above us why something is a good idea, we need only convince ourselves it is worth doing. The problem arises when implementing good ideas conflicts with our modus operandi. In such cases, if we take a minute to listen, we will hear ways to increase ideas and decrease complaints that we can implement right away.

• Is gender bias really that big of a problem?

  Wednesday, March 08, 2017

  How can we live in one of the most advanced societies in history and still be fighting biases in the workplace? With amazing opportunities, continued focus on improving corporate culture and advances in the ways we can work together, is it really possible that gender bias is still a problem? Much of the problem with gender bias is how subtle and simultaneously pervasive it is.

• 3 questions to start asking today

  Tuesday, March 07, 2017

  If Tony Robbins and Tim Ferriss both gave you the same advice, would you consider taking it? Both men are incredibly successful, yet they come from backgrounds to which many of us can relate. When Robbins interviewed Ferriss for his podcast last December, they enthusiastically discussed and agreed upon the importance and impact asking the right questions can have. In less than five minutes, Ferriss walked through three powerful questions he asks himself regularly.

• How to avoid hiring those difficult-to-fire employees

  Monday, February 27, 2017

  ​Though terminations can be challenging, it is so much easier to fire a consistently poor performer than someone who is just a bad employee. Negative nellies, glory hounds and wimpy managers may not do anything wrong enough to have a bad performance review, so they end up staying around a lot longer than they should. In those cases, sometimes it is easier to avoid hiring these difficult-to-fire employees than it is to try to fire them.

• 4 ways to get sick employees to stay home

  Monday, February 20, 2017

  How much work can you get done when your co-worker is coughing, sniffling and sneezing right next to you? In addition to worrying about your teammate's well-being, it is hard not to wonder if they are contagious, whether you will be sick next, and how all of this is going to impact the project on which you two are working. Conversely, everybody feels better if sick employees stay home. Here are four ways to create a culture that diminishes presenteeism.

• 3 traits any HR professional should possess

  Wednesday, February 15, 2017

  Whether you are an HR professional or are hiring one, here are three traits the most successful HR pros — at any level and in any industry — possess.

• Lessons from The Matrix: 4 steps to prescient communication

  Monday, February 13, 2017

  In the 1999 hit sci-fi movie "The Matrix," Neo is told he will save the world from its horrible fate. Neo does not believe he is capable, but Morpheus believes he is "The One." When the pair go to meet the Oracle, she tells Neo he is not The One. With his doubts confirmed, Neo leaves the meeting. As they head out together, Morpheus tells Neo that the Oracle simply told him what he needed to hear.

• The overachiever’s guide to overcoming failure

  Tuesday, February 07, 2017

  Who gets everything right on the first try? If we are honest about it, many of our successes are built on a pile of mistakes and failures. And although failure has made its way into acceptable business vernacular — fail fast, fail often! — we are not naturally inclined to discuss our mistakes, let alone spend time creating a system to support, encourage or work through those missteps.

• 5 leadership mistakes to stop making now

  Tuesday, January 31, 2017

  By reading this article, you have already avoided the first mistake: thinking you are done learning how to be a good leader. Though it may seem that people never change and management principles all boil down to the same few tenets, good leaders know that to continue to motivate and inspire requires a commitment to sharpen and expand the tools in their toolbox.

• Make more money because you deserve it

  Tuesday, January 24, 2017

  One of the most common complaints I heard from employees while working in HR was regarding compensation. Everyone wants a raise, regardless of whether they make $25,000 or $250,000. And the two most common reasons were: they felt they deserved more or they needed (or wanted) more to pay for something.

• Make more money without a raise

  Tuesday, January 17, 2017

  One of the most common complaints I heard from employees while working in HR was regarding compensation. Everyone wants a raise, regardless of whether they make $25,000 or $250,000. And the two most common reasons were: they felt they deserved more or they needed (or wanted) more to pay for something.

• 3 ways understanding SAD makes you a better leader

  Tuesday, January 10, 2017

  Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and the "winter blues" could affect 10 to 15 percent of your staff. Colleagues experiencing symptoms of either can have a significant impact on those who do not. Here are three ways understanding SAD and the winter blues can help you be a more effective leader during these cold months.

• Ditch the resolutions and accomplish more

  Tuesday, January 03, 2017

  ​Good for you if you have not wasted your time writing a New Year's resolution. Those of you who wrote it, ditch your resolution and accomplish more right now. Here's why, how and what to do.

• The delicate balance of HR: Inside

  Tuesday, December 13, 2016

  Being an HR professional is often a thanklessly rewarding job. We work with employees through the best and worst of times and, regardless of what is happening in the company, must find a way to walk the line between employee advocate and management representative.

• The delicate balance of HR: Employees

  Tuesday, December 06, 2016

  ​From an employee perspective, HR can be anything from the team who coordinates the holiday party to the person who is telling us our benefits will cost more and we will not get a raise. In this series, we will look at the department from different perspectives to illustrate the delicate balance required to grow and maintain a functional department that contributes positively to the organization and its culture. ​In the first article, we examined HR from the leadership perspective. In this article, we will look at the employee perspective.

• The delicate balance of HR: Leadership

  Tuesday, November 29, 2016

  It is easy to hate human resources professionals. In small or startup organizations, they are constantly delivering bad news: benefits have changed, and the costs have gone up; no, there is no money for raises; we are in a hiring freeze and so on.

• Reclaim your time from the co‑workers who waste it

  Monday, November 21, 2016

  What is more frustrating than staying late in the office to get something done only to have your co-worker swing by with a full coffee and plant herself at your desk? Or perhaps it is yet another meeting with your boss about how to improve time management and increase efficiency?

• Getting a new job at your current company

  Tuesday, November 15, 2016

  Employment investigations and terminations are the bulk of what I do. Often, the investigations highlight the need for change, like additional training, promotions/demotions and other performance management actions. The terminations, of course, usually result in a staffing gap that needs to be addressed quickly.

• 3 simple steps to reduce stress this holiday season

  Tuesday, November 08, 2016

  It's here. The most wonderful, weight-gaining, money-spending, schedule-packed time of the year is upon us. Here are three simple ways to manage the overwhelm and keep a positive perspective this year.

• Minimalism at work: Break out the red pen

  Monday, October 31, 2016

  ​As soon as we decide to do less, it becomes more clear how much we have yet to do. ​As we touched on in the previous article about minimalism at work, taking the time to assess, streamline and then honestly acknowledge what is left is the foundation for bringing minimalist tactics to the office.

• Minimalism at work: Less is more

  Monday, October 24, 2016

  Work-life balance does not exist. Work is part of our lives; it is not something we put our life on hold to do. Life keeps going whether we are working or not. As such, HR and organizational development specialists have started using words like "total" and "whole" to describe compensation packages and ideal employees. We are recognizing that we are all multifaceted individuals with many roles in our lives, and these roles are not confined to the times we are at work or home.

• Tell that employee to stop whining — It’s OK

  Tuesday, October 18, 2016

  When is it OK to tell your employees to stop whining? More often than you think. While "stop whining" may not be as satisfying as declaring "you're fired" or "I quit," it can feel great to clearly and succinctly tell a constantly complaining employee to get over it and go back to his cubicle. Yet we do not. Why?

• Workplace investigations: Following through

  Tuesday, October 11, 2016

  Handling an employee complaint and the subsequent investigation can be tricky, as we discussed in the first two parts of this series (see above). However, it is equally challenging and important to close the report appropriately.

• Workplace investigations: The devilish details

  Monday, October 03, 2016

  Receiving an employee complaint and embarking on an investigation can be a tough but necessary decision. Once the journey down that road has begun, it is important to make sure you conduct a thorough, timely and objective investigation.

• Workplace investigations: Why you should care

  Monday, September 26, 2016

  "Workplace investigations are human resources problems. They're something only bigger companies have to worry about. All the employees in my office are friends." All of these statements become quickly irrelevant as soon as an employee makes a complaint. Here are three reasons you should pay attention to complaints.

• Overtime overboard: The numbers game

  Tuesday, September 20, 2016

  The new overtime rules will affect an estimated 4 million workers, according to the U. S. Department of Labor. Many of those will be in the retail and hospitality industries, and much has already been written on how to cope with the changes if you work in either field.

• Overtime overboard: The honeymoon phase

  Tuesday, September 13, 2016

  Misclassification of employees is a common occurrence in small businesses. It is usually a mutually agreeable proposition — the employer does not have to pay overtime, and the employee gets the benefits of being exempt, which can include not having to clock in and out, better time-off benefits and the prestige that comes along with it.

• 5 ways to diffuse political arguments at work

  Thursday, September 08, 2016

  We're exactly two months from Election Day, and the closer we get to Nov. 8, the more prevalent election discussions will become in the office. Fortunately, Americans have the ability to openly discuss and debate candidates and the divisive issues they raise. However, not everyone is articulate or open to constructive discourse.

• A different kind of mentor

  Tuesday, August 30, 2016

  When we think of mentors, the image is one of a more senior person sharing his/her vast knowledge with a junior person. Employees, coaches, moms, leaders of any kind — all can be mentors if they have more experience than the person being mentored.

• Adding mindfulness to your daily routine

  Tuesday, August 23, 2016

  By finding a balance between autopilot and intention, we can increase our sense of accomplishment and reduce our stress levels. Whether it is our commute to work or mindlessly clocking in and out, the routines around and during our work day provide us with great opportunities to add a little more mindfulness to our lives.

• Moms: A great recruiting resource for small businesses

  Wednesday, August 10, 2016

  An often overlooked but potentially fantastic source for new hires is moms returning to work. Large companies like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have been mining this rich resource for a while. But smaller companies are often hesitant to leave the traditional pools of candidates.

• 5 signs you care too much about work

  Tuesday, August 02, 2016

  Even those of us who do not like our jobs can care about them too much. In fact, sometimes we are the worst offenders. Here are five signs you are spending too much energy on work and some simple ways to address them.

• Pros and cons of retention pay: Employer and employee perspectives

  Tuesday, July 26, 2016

  Retention pay is a common tool in a total rewards toolkit. However, as discussed in the previous article of this series, the case of Kelly Rieves is breaking new ground on both who is offered retention pay and how it is offered. This week, we will review the pros and cons of this approach from the employer and the employee perspectives.

• Pros and cons of retention pay: The basics

  Tuesday, July 19, 2016

  ​The story of Kelly Rieves, a former employee of Buc-ee's being sued by the company for pay they say she owes them back, highlights a number of interesting questions about retention pay. Rieves received hourly pay as an assistant manager as well as monthly incentive pay (equal to about one-third of her total compensation). According to the Houston Chronicle, Rieves' contract stipulated she would have to pay back the incentive pay if she left her position before the end of her contract or failed to give six months' notice.

• The reality of work relationships: To ban or not to ban

  Wednesday, July 13, 2016

  There are 168 hours in a week. Assuming a modest seven hours of sleep per night, removing those 49 hours leaves us with 119 waking hours. Working a full-time job, we commit more than a third (approximately 37 percent) of our waking hours going to, being at and returning from work. Thus, it is understandable why and how we develop personal relationships with our co-workers.

• The reality of work relationships: Dangerous clichés

  Wednesday, July 06, 2016

  Common sense does not usually prevail in matters of the heart. Fortunately, however, the biggest problems are associated with some of the most obviously troublesome pairings. If this sounds like your situation, understand the risks before you go too far.

• The reality of work relationships: Co-workers in love

  Thursday, June 30, 2016

  There are 168 hours in a week. Assuming a modest seven hours of sleep per night, removing those 49 hours leaves us with 119 waking hours. Working a full-time job, we commit more than a third (approximately 37 percent) of our waking hours going to, being at and returning from work. Thus, it is understandable why and how we develop personal relationships with our co-workers.

• 5 ways to deal with a bad boss

  Tuesday, June 21, 2016

  What do you do when the person responsible for directing the activities of the majority of your waking hours is an idiot? Or a jerk? Or not the person you would follow if you had any type of choice?

• Creative ways to take time off work

  Monday, June 13, 2016

  Summer is here. Bodies of water, sunny spots and parks are all beckoning us to visit. But few of us have enough time off to cover end-of-year holidays as well as the breaks we need and want during the summer months.

• 3 leadership myths no one wants to discuss

  Tuesday, June 07, 2016

  Instead of looking at a checklist of things you need to become a better leader or manager, this article will explore often misunderstood leadership advice.

• Employee rights: What to do when you face a challenge at work

  Thursday, June 02, 2016

  Having an issue with a co-worker can be a time-consuming, energy-draining, unproductive challenge. Whether you feel like you are being treated unfairly, unprofessionally or both, it can be frustrating and difficult to face personnel problems at work.

• Guns at work: Are employers keeping their workers safe?

  Wednesday, May 18, 2016

  ​Are employers doing enough to protect their employees from active shooters? And if not, does an absence of training, policies or other precautions mean employees should be allowed to take measures to protect themselves?

• You should pay your summer interns

  Wednesday, May 11, 2016

  Interns are usually employees. The issue can seem confusing, but that is only because so many employers do it wrong. If people come to work for your organization — nonprofit, for-profit, large or tiny — and they do work you have or would normally pay an employee to do, they are probably employees even if you call them interns. And that is OK, as long as you actually pay them like employees.

• 3 simple steps to destress your commute

  Thursday, May 05, 2016

  Even with all of the telecommuting, online meeting services and flexible schedules available to us, commuting to work is still one of the biggest stresses most of us deal with during the workday. In speaking with home health nurses and commuters with more than 25 miles to cover in San Diego rush hour traffic, I uncovered some tried and true methods for a less stressful commute.

• Do you really deserve a pay raise?

  Wednesday, April 27, 2016

  Too many of us feel like we are underpaid. Maybe our salary is right for our position, but we are working so many hours it just does not make sense. Or, it could be we are simply overqualified for what we are doing — again, the salary is right for the position but we are not. Finally, it could simply be that our employer just does not pay competitively.

• Guns at work: Do you know the laws and policies?

  Friday, April 22, 2016

  ​True or false: Only law enforcement and some security guards are allowed to bring weapons to work. It must be true, right? Could you imagine if just anyone could bring a gun to work? But what about our constitutional right to bear arms? If an employee has a legitimate permit, isn't it lawful for her to carry her weapon?

• Millennials are not always the problem

  Wednesday, April 13, 2016

  It is always the younger generation's fault. But if you think about it, that means at one point it was our fault — and we know that cannot be the case. Yet there is something about the challenges of working with employees who were raised on iPads and told they were great at everything. What is it and how do we deal with their entitlement?

• Approaching FMLA openly is best for everyone

  Tuesday, April 05, 2016

  Jodi Lasher, a nurse, was terminated after she failed to notify anyone that she needed to take measures to address her approved FMLA accommodation for her persistent migraines. In short, she fell asleep in an unused patient room and subsequently neglected her duties to monitor fetal heart rates in the labor and delivery department in which she worked.

• The communication challenges of FMLA

  Tuesday, March 29, 2016

  Jodi Lasher, a nurse, was terminated after she failed to notify anyone that she needed to take measures to address her approved Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) accommodation for her persistent migraines. In short, she fell asleep in an unused patient room and subsequently neglected her duties to monitor fetal heart rates in the labor and delivery department in which she worked.

• Does it matter if you sleep at work?

  Tuesday, March 22, 2016

  Jodi Lasher, a nurse, was terminated after she failed to notify anyone that she needed to take measures to address her approved FMLA accommodation for her persistent migraines. In short, she fell asleep in an unused patient room and subsequently neglected her duties to monitor fetal heart rates in the labor and delivery department in which she worked.

• Volunteer, intern or worker — Which are you?

  Wednesday, March 16, 2016

  Organizational development experts, business coaches, great bosses, mentors and solid human resources people all try to help us with our work/life balance. We learn from them tricks of the trade, wisdom from years of experience and the latest data, trends and studies.

• Don’t have unions? You should still be worried about the NLRB

  Wednesday, March 09, 2016

  ​If you are in a nonunion work environment, it is possible you have no idea who the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is and what the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) states. But if you have a handbook or your employees use social media, that could be a problem.

• Why managers do stupid things

  Tuesday, March 08, 2016

  It is really unfortunate when you have to discipline a good manager for bad decisions based on good intentions. What follows are two common examples and how to address them without dampening your manager's enthusiasm for his/her employees.

• When to bring a coach into your organization

  Tuesday, March 01, 2016

  ​Coaching can be a valuable tool. Like with any tool, though, it helps to know what you can use it for and, of course, how to use it. Coaching is a great way to help employees at any level through some sort of transition.

• The reality of raises

  Friday, February 19, 2016

  A colleague's younger sister graduated from college and got a great job in a fantastic city. She was told upon hire she would have a salary review on her six-month anniversary. She did, had perfect marks and was given the highest increase: 3 percent.

• Department of 1: Tearing down silos

  Thursday, February 18, 2016

  Welcome to Part 3 in our series on best practices for leading multiple functions. With the majority of companies having fewer than 100 employees, most employees are asked to do a variety of different tasks. We have looked at this from the individual contributor and manager perspectives. In this article, we will expose one of the greatest challenges this type of work environment faces and a simple strategy to overcome it.

• Department of 1: The good, the bad and the ugly

  Tuesday, February 09, 2016

  More than 95 percent of businesses have fewer than 100 employees. Within those companies, it is inevitable that many employees will wear many hats. We looked at the issue from the employee perspective last week and will focus on those of you who manage departments of one this week.

• Department of 1: Vigilante or superhero?

  Tuesday, February 02, 2016

  How do you stay organized, current and compliant while handling administrative, tactical and strategic issues when you are the only one in your department? Over 95 percent of businesses have fewer than 100 employees. Within those companies, it is inevitable that many employees will wear many hats. In this miniseries, we will look at this challenge from both the employee and the manager perspective.

• You’re right — Why doesn’t anybody listen?

  Monday, January 25, 2016

  ​Nothing would drive me crazier than being right, telling people about it and having no one listen. I would be forced to sit there watching events play out as I had predicted, yet the negative implications became clear to everyone else after the fact.

• Take the time to assess your Web presence

  Friday, January 15, 2016

  What does 2016 look like for you? Are you up for change or are you looking forward to something more routine? Either way, the best time to take stock and make any subsequent updates is when you do not have to. So take a few minutes now to do a little assessing.

• Your goal for 2016? Set fewer goals

  Tuesday, January 05, 2016

  The season of excesses is behind us — 2016 is here. With the same spirit you are shunning huge dinners and excessive shopping, I offer you this thought: Why not do without goals as well? Sure, maybe you could see taking the goal setting down a notch or two in your personal life, but how can you do that at work without the ship just steering into a rocky cliff? After all, you are leading, which means people are following you. Don't you need goals to know where you are going?

• Lessons in termination: Being proactive

  Monday, December 14, 2015

  ​Welcome to the time of year when it becomes ever so clear who you wished no longer worked here. In Part 1 of our series on terminations, we learned from the ghosts of the past. ​In the second article, we learned to take advantage of the present. In our third article, we will discuss the future.

• The naughty and nice of holiday parties

  Wednesday, December 09, 2015

  The idea behind the holiday party is a positive one: celebrate. It is the end of the year, a whole number of holidays are happening around the same time and it's just a good time for a party. But, for small employers, the road paved with good intentions does not always lead in the most positive direction.

• Lessons in termination: Don’t wait, terminate

  Friday, December 04, 2015

  Welcome to the time of year when it becomes ever so clear who you wished no longer worked here. In Part 1 of our series on terminations, we learned from the ghosts of the past. In this second article, we will learn a little something from the ghost of the present.

• Lessons in termination: Too small to fail

  Tuesday, November 24, 2015

  Welcome to the time of year when it becomes ever so clear who you wished no longer worked here. But before you finalize your list of those good and bad employees, learn these lessons from terminations past.

• 3 signs your small business is no longer ... small

  Monday, November 16, 2015

  Across industries — from design firms to doctor's offices, accounting teams to nonprofits — there is a tipping point small organizations reach where something has to change. The company starts to outgrow its original framework and requires something new to operate.

• The other kind of mentor: Starting your own program

  Monday, November 09, 2015

  Mentor programs have become increasingly common across industries and in many organizations of various sizes. The benefit of pairing experienced employees with newcomers to help them learn their way around company policies, protocols and practices is truly a win for all involved.

• I hate football: Handling an employee who doesn’t fit in

  Monday, November 02, 2015

  There are those who are sent to HR and those who voluntarily show up. Of that latter group, I have seen some pretty strange complaints, requests and concerns. Recently, I had someone come to complain about football. The beef: All anyone does on Monday is talk about football, and this guy has no interest in it. He feels like he has to find a way to talk about it and believes he will be alienated if he does not participate.

• Your relationship with work: The honeymoon phase

  Thursday, October 08, 2015

  Continuing our series on our relationships with work, this week we will look at consulting. How does becoming an independent contractor change the relationship? Consultants have the ability to harness that new job excitement with every new contract. For those who love the idea of starting in a new position with a new company, then consulting can be the path to a perpetual honeymoon.

• Your relationship with work: Reinventing yourself

  Wednesday, September 30, 2015

  For many people, their relationship with their job is like a marriage. They make a thoughtful decision and once it is made, they are in for good or bad. This characteristic is common in older generations, but it is also popping up among younger generations who feel they can and should be the change they want to see.

• Your relationship with work: It’s not you, it’s me

  Friday, September 25, 2015

  Continuing with our series on the relationship we have with our jobs, this week we will take a look at knowing when it is time to move on. Relationships can end in many ways and for many reasons.

• Your relationship with work: Time to start dating

  Thursday, September 17, 2015

  Whether it is the turn in the economy or the incessant demands of the millennials, the tide has turned in the workplace. More people have more options when it comes to what they do, for whom and for how much. As choices increase, and the upper hand returns to the workers, what can employees do to determine if they are in the right place, doing what they should for the right amount of money?

• Back to school or back to work? An ideal workplace combines both

  Thursday, August 20, 2015

  'Tis the season for the younger set to end their summer jobs, hang up their bathing suits and return to school. For most of us, that time has long passed, yet the memory of having two months off still remains strong. What would happen if we took that same approach to work?

• How ethical is your HR department?

  Tuesday, August 04, 2015

  Human resources serves as the liaison between management and staff. It helps with critical administrative and tactical tasks like benefits and payroll. Recruiting, retention, employee development and compensation can fall within the HR office. In some companies, HR can also be a key player in the strategic direction the organization takes. It is clear that HR can be an important part of the culture of the organization. But in many organizations, HR is an afterthought.

• Content learners vs. test preppers: Which type is best?

  Thursday, July 30, 2015

  ​It seems there are two types of people when it comes to professional certifications: those who work hard and via experience, education and studying pass the certifying exam, and those who simply figure out how to take the test. If they both pass, do you care which type of employee works for you?

• Giving negative information: What we can learn from healthcare

  Wednesday, July 22, 2015

  ​In the course of our work either as managers, HR professionals or consultants, the day comes when we have to provide some kind of news our audience is not going to be thrilled to hear. In recent conversations with several neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses, I picked up the following four pointers on how to deliver bad news as smoothly as possible.

• Why can’t we all just get along?

  Thursday, July 16, 2015

  We are adults. We are professionals, and we spend most of our waking hours at work. Why is it so hard to just get along? Because we are adults, professionals and spend so much of our time at work. How do we lead through these inherent challenges to accomplish our goals in a positive way? Try some perspective. Here are three reasons why we can't all get along — and how to get passed it.

• What makes a good workplace investigator?

  Wednesday, July 08, 2015

  Michael Julian, CPI, PPS, CSP, grew up in the investigations business. His father, Ron Julian was a former law enforcement officer and entrepreneur who started what was to become National Business Investigations, Inc. in 1967. Though originally focused on investigations, the company has now expanded with Michael as CEO to include even more specialized investigation services, plus additional divisions addressing personal, protective security as well as institution security services.

• How to tell your employees they are nonexempt

  Thursday, June 18, 2015

  Despite the very clear regulations specifying what employees should be exempt or nonexempt for wages, misclassification is still one of the most common mistakes employers make. But it seems both the employee and employer often have a role in this issue. In addition to the employer trying to avoid paying overtime, employees often want to be classified as exempt. Yet, wanting to be exempt is not on the official list of exemptions from the government.

• Rethinking the rules of resume screening

  Thursday, June 11, 2015

  Anyone who has had the pleasure of screening resumes has a set of rules that allows them to look for their perceived ideal candidate. In addition to the things that should be on the resume (directly related experience, required education level, etc.), there are things many resume reviewers do not want to see (multiple positions in less than five years, gaps, etc).

• Problems at work? Maybe it’s you

  Thursday, June 04, 2015

  My coaching colleagues and I were talking the other day about the challenges we have when we suspect it is our client causing the problems they are trying to overcome at work. It can be just as challenging for an outsider to identify the root of a problem as it is for an individual to realize that they are the problem.

• Work-life balance in healthcare: Addressing the system

  Thursday, May 28, 2015

  Why is achieving work-life balance as a healthcare professional so difficult? As noted in the first part of this three-part series, it is difficult for everyone to agree on what work-life balance really is. Without a common vocabulary on the subject, it is hard to determine to what degree you may or may not be achieving it.

• Work-life balance in healthcare: Realign your priorities

  Thursday, May 21, 2015

  As a healthcare professional, your work requires you to be there for others, but how can you do that effectively if you haven't taken care of yourself? Now that you are acutely aware of where your hours go, it's time to look at what you can do realign your time with your priorities.

• Work-life balance in healthcare: The fundamentals

  Thursday, May 14, 2015

  People in careers that revolve around helping others are often the worst at maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Healthcare workers are some of the most challenged employees when it comes to self-care, yet they spend every day helping others with health challenges.

• Using outside investigators: 4 ways to ensure success

  Thursday, May 07, 2015

  Using an outside investigator can be a great option when you are dealing with an internal investigation in the workplace. Yet few employers give the process the consideration it warrants. Bringing a person on board to handle a sensitive internal situation is a sensitive matter in itself.

• Overcoming bias: 3 things to consider when interviewing

  Thursday, April 30, 2015

  Organizations often say they are committed to a diverse workforce or transparent hiring. But organizations are made up of people, and people naturally judge others on their own individual set of parameters. In many cases, they do not even realize how much their own perception can cloud their image of a candidate.

• 5 steps to prep for that tough job interview

  Thursday, April 09, 2015

  You made it past the thousands of others jockeying to get an interview for your dream job, and the big day is approaching. Odds are what got you in the door is not enough to get you the offer.Fortunately, preparing is easy if you remember that interviewers really just want to hear three things.

• Inside HR: Making the job offer

  Thursday, March 26, 2015

  A client of mine is posting for a director-level position at a real estate development and property management firm. The company posted the job on their website, LinkedIn and Indeed. In less than a week, they received more than 60 qualified applicants. They only need one person. This is the story of how they got there. The screening process reduced the field down to four candidates. We then scheduled and completed interviews. Next, it was time to make a job offer.

• Inside HR: Scheduling and executing interviews

  Thursday, March 19, 2015

  A client of mine is posting for a director-level position at a real estate development and property management firm. The company posted the job on their website, LinkedIn and Indeed. In less than a week, they received more than 60 qualified applicants. They only need one person. This is the story of how they got there.

• Treating office politics like traffic stops

  Thursday, March 05, 2015

  You may have pursued your career in law enforcement to avoid the boredom and confines of an office environment. Unfortunately, regardless of your position, even in law enforcement you cannot avoid two of the main drawbacks of a desk job: paperwork and office politics. However, you can use the skills you already have to make the latter a lot easier.

• Inside HR: How the screening process works

  Wednesday, March 04, 2015

  A client of mine is posting for a director-level position at a real estate development and property management firm. The company posted the job on their website, LinkedIn and Indeed. In less than a week, they received more than 60 qualified applicants. They only need one person. This is the story of how they got there.

• Finding a job in healthcare: Terminations

  Tuesday, February 17, 2015

  ​Once a year, I have the pleasure of being a guest lecturer for an ethics and social leadership class at a local university. The class participants include master's students in nursing and healthcare informatics. My topic is always the same: I am asked to demystify human resources. This year, the students' questions focused on the following: negotiating an offer, dealing with bureaucracy, performance reviews and terminations.

• Finding a job in healthcare: Performance reviews

  Wednesday, February 11, 2015

  Once a year, I have the pleasure of being a guest lecturer for an ethics and social leadership class at a local university. The class participants include master's students in nursing and healthcare informatics. My topic is always the same: I am asked to demystify human resources. This year, the students' questions focused on the following: negotiating an offer, dealing with bureaucracy, performance reviews and terminations.

• Finding a job in healthcare: Bureaucracy

  Tuesday, February 03, 2015

  ​Once a year, I have the pleasure of being a guest lecturer for an ethics and social leadership class at a local university. The class participants include master's students in nursing and healthcare informatics.

• Finding a job in healthcare: Negotiations

  Wednesday, January 28, 2015

  Once a year, I have the pleasure of being a guest lecturer for an ethics and social leadership class at a local university. The class participants include master's students in nursing and healthcare informatics.

• Before you hang up your uniform ...

  Friday, November 07, 2014

  Certain skills you pick up wearing a uniform can put you ahead in the civilian world. So before you box up everything you earned and learned from your service, make sure to keep these things handy.

• The care and feeding of an executive

  Wednesday, October 29, 2014

  Executives have a different approach to work than individual contributors or even directors. Some people attribute it to the thinner air at the top of the corporate ladder. Others chalk it up to ego or some other psychological attribute.

• Rethink your resume: Accounting for gaps and job changes

  Wednesday, October 22, 2014

  How many times have you applied for a job that perfectly matched the skills and experience on your resume, but did not get it? Resumes can be a real inconvenience to create even when your background is perfectly aligned with the position.

• Strong women and handling criticism

  Thursday, October 16, 2014

  Women in traditionally male roles — military veterans, law enforcement, firefighting — have all faced some gender-related hurdles to success. In some cases, it was fighting for the basic right to just be in the role, doing the job. Once in the role, they had to constantly prove why and how it was OK to be there.

• Show and tell: The impact of stories on organization success

  Thursday, October 02, 2014

  About 100 human resources and organizational development professionals listened to Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of Scripps Health, talk about transforming an organization from the ground up.

• 4 ways to ensure successful board presentations

  Tuesday, September 23, 2014

  ​As a consultant and board member, I have experienced board presentations from both sides of the table. During a recent round of first-quarter presentations, I was asked by a board to listen to the nonemployee presenters and produce guidelines for future presentations.

• What if your transition from the military did not go as planned?

  Monday, September 08, 2014

  A fellow veteran, Andy, was a high-ranking NCO, who had racked up lots of training and credentials while he was in. This made him particularly attractive to a number of defense contractors who were actively courting him when his opportunity to re-sign came up.

• Embracing change in business

  Thursday, September 04, 2014

  Regardless of industry or title, the one thing we all have to understand is the nature of change. In government, defense and law enforcement, sometimes it feels that change happens too slowly and we blame the bureaucracy and red tape. Oddly though, if something big happens externally, somehow our previously bureaucratic organizations seem to be able to respond quickly with new initiatives. Conversely, in the private sector, waves of words like entrepreneurial and innovation have inspired our CEOs to want organizational cultures that support and even create change. What skills and characteristics can we learn or embrace to be ready of the many faces of change?

• Should you pay your employees for overtime?

  Monday, August 25, 2014

  Managers, executives and owners often want to work around the overtime laws so they classify employees as exempt without making more than a cursory effort to determine if the job duties really require an exemption. This is simply a huge mistake with the potential to cost the organization a lot of money and likely even more of a headache of time and resources spent remedying the situation.

• Top 4 myths of landing a civilian job

  Friday, August 22, 2014

  Previously, we discussed some of the keys to landing a civilian job with some great insight provided by my recruiting colleagues. However, I have checked in with CEOs at companies that consider themselves veteran-friendly and asked them to describe the employees who have been most impressive in their transition from the military to positions in their organizations.

• Smart referrals: Basic tenets of a good referral

  Tuesday, August 12, 2014

  As service providers, we often see other areas of the business than the one we are supporting. Providing HR support, I naturally work with my clients' attorneys, accountants and executives as well as technical professionals.

• Reading is fundamental for seeing your work differently

  Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Combine lots of paperwork with office politics, then add working with the public when they are not necessarily at their best, and it can seem almost impossible to find positive motivation working in law enforcement.

• Frustrated at work? Try a different approach

  Thursday, July 24, 2014

  ​A common theme in the round-table meetings and one-on-ones I host for my clients is frustration. Frustration with others not moving at the pace we need them to move. Frustration at salaries not matching our workload or experience. Frustration with constant change that leaves goals unclear or impossible to accomplish.

• Wordle it — just a little bit

  Tuesday, July 22, 2014

  ​Word clouds are a visually appealing way to distill key concepts from larger amounts of data. There are several programs that offer this service for free on the Web. All of which makes them an easy, free, simple, fast tool that can add a little panache to your work.

• This is the last job you’ll ever have — now what?

  Tuesday, July 15, 2014

  What if the job you are in now is the one you plan to keep until you retire? How do you keep it fresh and interesting until your last day? How do you avoid becoming one of those angry DMV ladies? Or an unhelpful state worker?

• Why you have to use social media

  Thursday, July 10, 2014

  As a teenager, I frequently used the "but everyone else is doing it" argument to try to secure permission for anything from attending a Guns N' Roses concert to staying out all night after prom. It did not usually work with my parents, but I am happy to say after all of these years, I have found a clear case where this excuse works: social media.

• 4 quick tips to make presenting simple

  Thursday, June 26, 2014

  Are you ready for your TED talk? In the expert hands of John Bates of Executive Speaking Success, you could be. I had the pleasure of hearing Bates, who specializes in helping people convey their stories in a TED-ready format, speak at a recent Women in Technology International event.

• 3 steps to better office communication now

  Wednesday, June 18, 2014

  I love technology. I even married a software DevOps guy. So I was thrilled when I walked into a new client's office as their interim head of HR and they told me IT reported to me. What followed was something that happens too frequently when experts communicate with nonexperts.

• Take a day off — a real day off

  Wednesday, June 11, 2014

  When is the last time you took a day off? A real day off? A no-checking-email, do-what-you-want, Ferris Bueller kind of day off? In a recent meeting about using your brain to train your mind, we spent a lot of time discussing how rare it is that we take the time to sit with the good things happening to and around us and just appreciate them.

• Niceness is no excuse to avoid termination

  Thursday, June 05, 2014

  ​Managers often wait too long to terminate an employee either because the employee is too nice or the manager feels like it would not be nice for them to do. Both of these are terrible excuses that can actually cause more harm than good.

• Managing up: How to keep your boss happy

  Wednesday, May 21, 2014

  One of the most important skills to develop is the art of keeping your boss happy. It does not matter how good you are at what you do, if your boss is not happy with you, life at work will be an uphill battle.

• Where are the women?

  Wednesday, May 14, 2014

  ​We make up half the population but only 18.5 percent of Congress and only 14 percent of leadership roles in Fortune 500 companies. How different would it be if half of Congress and half of the leaders of our largest companies were women?

• Formalizing your veteran hiring program

  Monday, May 05, 2014

  With the ever-increasing number of veterans in the workforce, formalized veteran hiring and retention programs have started showing up on the radar of defense, law enforcement and private organizations. Many law enforcement and defense organizations already hire veterans, but how do you formalize the process, and why should you?

• Help wanted: 3 ways to minimize new-hire risk

  Friday, May 02, 2014

  Great news: Companies are hiring again. In fact, today's Labor Department numbers ​show unemployment in the U.S. falling to 6.3 percent — the lowest figure since September 2008. But with each new hire comes threats to the organization's integrity.

• 4 easy ways to have a better day at work

  Monday, April 28, 2014

  How do you change your attitude when you are in the midst of a bad day? Here are four simple things I have learned from my peers and my practice that you can do right now to put your day on a better track.

• Can interview techniques squash boring business meetings?

  Tuesday, April 15, 2014

  ​Meetings and interviews can be some of the worst job experiences. We can have too many or not enough. They can go too long or you can run out of time. And frequently, people leave with a different understanding of how it went and what happens next.

• 4 tips for transitioning to a civilian post

  Thursday, April 10, 2014

  Whether you work in defense, military, police or fire, your job description includes duties rarely found in the civilian world. That does not mean you cannot make a smooth transition out of your uniform and into business casual.