Category: Learning & Development

Employees are valuing career development more than ever—it’s a sign that the company is willing to invest in their future. How are businesses approaching training today? What are their pain points, and what topics are being addressed in training?

Blocking Off Free Time on the Calendar

“Free time” is not a term that comes to mind when people think about their workday. In fact, free time and work are two concepts that are about as far apart as one can get. But free time can provide surprising value to employees and companies alike. Scheduling some free time can help reduce stress […]

paradox

Avoid Qualifying Input

A surefire way to frustrate a manager is to provide qualified input. Qualifying input is a strategy instinctively used by many employees to avoid committing to a response as a safety measure in case they end up being wrong. However, it also makes employees seem unsure, indecisive, and even lazy.

stress

Imbuing a Sense of Control to Combat Stress

Everyone experiences stress from time to time, both in their everyday life and at work. It can be an unpleasant but necessary part of the job. In fact, many managers engage in behavior that increases stress in their workforce in an attempt to keep their organizations operating at a high level. This can be done […]

2021

Wild 2020 Highlights Key Challenges and Opportunities for 2021

2020 was a remarkable year in so many ways, ranging from public health crises, economic turmoil, and business and workplace disruptions to racial and social justice movements and political fireworks. Amid all the chaos, a few themes stand out particularly strongly: the importance of inclusiveness, the need for adaptability, and the power of change. Each […]

Remote

Key Management Skills for the Age of Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically shifted the nature of daily work for millions of Americans. While working remotely was a privilege enjoyed by relatively few pre-pandemic, Gallup has reported that just over half of Americans were “always” working remotely in April 2020 during the height of COVID workplace restrictions. That proportion has fallen to about […]

leading

It’s OK to Point Out Your Own Success When Leading by Example

From an early age, most people learn to be humble. Those who brag about themselves and openly boast about their accomplishments are frequently looked down upon and considered arrogant. But as a manager, you’re likely to encounter situations when it’s actually beneficial and advisable to toot one’s own horn.

surprise

Avoiding the Temptation of the ‘Ta-Da!’ Moment

Some people love surprises, especially when it relates to gifts. The anticipation of giving or receiving a special present reaches its climax when the much-anticipated gift is finally revealed. It’s the primary reason gift-givers spend so much time and money selecting and wrapping presents.

Productivity

Keeping Track of Remote Work Productivity

One of the biggest concerns during the large-scale shift to remote work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the productivity of companies’ remote staff. For many, their work fears around lost productivity have not materialized. In fact, they’ve found productivity has stayed the same or even increased on average across their organizations.

pause

The Power of the Pause

Most people have experienced the gut-twisting awkwardness of long, silent pauses in conversations. Even a pause of just a couple of seconds can seem agonizingly long. But skilled interviewers, negotiators, and others have learned to turn that uncomfortableness into an advantage.