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3 ways knowing how to break the rules makes you a better leader
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe 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.
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You can have too much friction, but can you also have too little?
Linda Popky Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementFriction-free. Smooth sailing. Highly collaborative organizations. Harmonious team dynamics. These are all sought-after states for most organizations. After all, who wants to introduce tension or friction when you could have a calm, stable organization, right? You do, of course. That’s because calm, smooth, friction-free organizations don’t push the envelope to try new and creative ideas, they don’t fully explore possibilities, and they don’t use internal dialogue to vet ideas and concepts before they hit the external market.
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Human-centered design is the secret sauce for open-plan success
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesOpen-plan workspaces have been given quite a thrashing in recent years. The more ubiquitous they become, the more employees and critics complain about how awful they are to work in. What makes the difference? Designers will not be surprised to learn that, according to recent research, the major factor is the quality of the interior design. Drawing on what is now an extensive body of research, most workspaces now are designed to promote certain kinds of employee behaviors found to be linked to important business goals, such as more rapid innovation and increased productivity.
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3 steps to a better thank you
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementThe 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.
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Should companies talk to baby boomers about retirement?
Terri Williams Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementBefore baby boomers retire, companies need to plan for possible successors and skill transference, among other issues. However, a survey by Willis Towers Watson, a risk management and insurance brokerage company, found that companies have several concerns regarding potential retirees. The company surveyed 143 human resource managers, representing close to 3 million employees. The resulting report, "Employer Concerns and Responses to an Aging Workforce," reveals that companies struggle to plan for replacing retiring workers, in part because these employees don’t share their retirement plans.
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Protecting the board
Robert C. Harris Association Management"What could go wrong? I’m just a volunteer on a board of directors." It’s better to ask about risks and protections before accepting a nomination to serve. Directors are trustees of the corporation. They are responsible for governance and the well-being of the organization. Although organizations are characterized as "nonprofit" and directors are "volunteers," liabilities do arise. Consider Murphy’s Law: "If anything can go wrong, it will."
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How to beat a losing streak
Brenda Crist Civil & GovernmentProposal professionals are some of the hardest working people in any company. Despite their hard work, they may face a losing streak from time to time. These losses can erode their confidence, adversely affect working relationships, and even trigger job-hopping. Everyone faces losses at one time or another. For example, Steve Jobs is considered one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our generation, yet he prevailed despite numerous losses. If you find rebounding from a string of losses difficult, consider these five tips.
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Should you get your MBA?
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIt 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.
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How VMware practices inclusion from the top
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementI've been working with leaders in organizations of all sizes to build inclusive cultures that last, from startup to scale, for over 25 years. I've seen leaders and companies come and go. So, I'm a bit skeptical when I hear an executive talk about how inclusive their organization is, how much they love diversity, and everything they're doing to promote equity, and then everyone looks alike, sounds alike and lawsuits are piling up. But two events made me think that maybe VMware is different.
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Steer clear of these delusional hiring practices
Roberta Matuson Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementI don't know about you, but I'm growing tired of hearing leaders complain that they can't fill jobs. When asked, they can come up with a dozen reasons why this is so. Are you guilty of this as well? Imagine a VP of sales telling her CEO that she is unable to bring in deals. Do you think she'd be told, "That's okay; everyone else is having a tough time selling." No, of course not! Too many organizations are delusional when it comes to their hiring practices. They have a system in place and continue to use it, regardless of the dismal results. Here are some of the more common delusional hiring practices that I see.
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