I said “no” this week. I didn’t want to say no. I’m a people-pleaser by nature, and the invitation was one that I genuinely wanted to accept. But I said no, nonetheless. As painful as it was to let one opportunity go, I received immediate positive results from my decision that reinforced the power of saying no. First, the process of empowering myself to say no has been a long one. It began by accepting that while I’d like to be everything to everyone, I acknowledge that saying yes to everyone else means I’m often saying no to myself. I … Read More
Making Hybrid Work for Everyone
If one thing’s for certain, it’s that the Post-Pandemic “Return to Normal” will look nothing like the workplace of the past. The Future of Work will likely include more choice and flexibility than in the past. For organizations that prioritize preserving their in-person office experience and culture, the future state may include a hybrid work arrangement or flexible schedules. While this sounds like a viable compromise for the impossible task of making everyone happy, there are certain employees that will be impacted more than others.
Be More Like Simone Biles
Even before the Tokyo Olympics began, Simone Biles had already shown the world that she was a truly remarkable individual. Her strength and courage are unquestionable and evident in the way she has handled enormous pressure, injuries, and unspeakable abuse at the hands of her athletic trainer. She always rose above and handled each situation with grace and maturity beyond her years. Her decisions during the Olympic Games this week further solidify that she is truly in a league of her own.
The Leadership Threat You Shouldn’t Overlook – Friday Flashback
The HR department typically bears responsibility for designing organization-wide engagement tactics and retention strategies, but the reality is this is everyone’s job. It’s a common belief that individuals don’t leave a job, they leave their boss. Poor management and leadership drive out top talent who are easily recruited away in today’s candidate-driven employment environment. It’s not just headhunters and great recruiters that managers should worry about these days. A veritable candy store of employment alternatives awaits your least satisfied/engaged employees, and leaders need to consider the risk this poses to the organization.
Staying Focused: A Strategy
Like many people, I often struggle with staying focused throughout the day. Each day, I start by re-writing my to-do list based on my highest priority, but by mid-day that is often abandoned for new urgent incoming requests. If you use Microsoft Outlook, you’re likely familiar with the Daily Briefing email from Cortana. The email reminds the recipient of outstanding items (based on an analysis of email content) and allows you to set a reminder for follow-up. I usually ignore the email, but today I scrolled all the way through and noticed the recommendation to schedule time to focus. The … Read More
Exploring the Burnout-Vacation Connection
“I’m not saying I’d want to go back to 2020, but 2021 has honestly been worse from a work and burnout perspective.” This honest comment from a friend accurately reflects what so many people are feeling in the workplace today. As the world returns to “normal,” most managers are dealing with more complex issues than ever. Turnover is high in entry-level roles, and despite creative recruitment efforts/incentives, many roles remain unfilled. Who has time for a vacation when you’re just trying to keep your head above water?