Late last month, I volunteered a few hours of my time to be with a few thousand Human Resource Management Professionals attending the SHRM Conference in San Diego, California. Actually about 12,000 people attended the conference from all across the nation. Plus, a few celebrities showed up with inspiring messages including Steve Forbes, Marcus Buckingham, Al Gore and Angelia Herrin. There was also entertainment from “Hall and Oates.” Anyone know who they are? Smile!
The conference theme this year was “A New Time for Growth – A New Focus on HR.” I agree with the theme and think it was on point. We all need to keep growing and be better focused to produce the results we want. For HR Professionals, it means learning ways to be of greater value to the organizations which employ them.
Here’s my take. I was pleased to see so many committed professional people in one place (beautiful San Diego :). I was however a little surprised how many of them came, considering the belt tightening we have all experienced recently. Thankfully, it seems many business organizations recognize that the continuing education of their HR professional is an important investment in the future for their businesses. I applaud them. It is all about looking forward. Their actions should be seen as an exercise of confidence in their businesses, their people (employees), our economy and our nation’s future.
It is always wonderful to be around women and men of vision. Imagine that.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
No Standing Still
Spring is here! If you have been paying attention then you and your business are ready to bloom. It does not happen by accident. Of course, this you already know. It will happen because you were steadfast in your effort to create the results you want. Congratulations!
What next?
Stay tuned in. Review your goals and the actions you have taken up to this point. Be sure to tweak where needed. This is not time to rest. You are hopefully in momentum. That means you gave enough of a push to get your rocket off the launching pad. Keep an eye on your instrument panel. It will help you steer beyond the unexpected and any dangers. After all, you are now exploring a new world -- a world that is full of the unknown.
Strangely enough, the biggest unknown for most people is themselves. We typically look outside ourselves to determine what we should do next. My early reference to the instrument panel is about eyeing what’s inside of you. I am sure you understand. We must continue to develop ourselves. I heard it said that “we are either growing or we are dying.” There is no standing still. Which direction are you going?
What next?
Stay tuned in. Review your goals and the actions you have taken up to this point. Be sure to tweak where needed. This is not time to rest. You are hopefully in momentum. That means you gave enough of a push to get your rocket off the launching pad. Keep an eye on your instrument panel. It will help you steer beyond the unexpected and any dangers. After all, you are now exploring a new world -- a world that is full of the unknown.
Strangely enough, the biggest unknown for most people is themselves. We typically look outside ourselves to determine what we should do next. My early reference to the instrument panel is about eyeing what’s inside of you. I am sure you understand. We must continue to develop ourselves. I heard it said that “we are either growing or we are dying.” There is no standing still. Which direction are you going?
Monday, February 8, 2010
Gardening Your Business
It seems like time is moving quickly. I heard that before and I am certain you have. What does it mean? Hopefully it means you are excited and filled with anticipation for what will come next – hopefully.
If you have tended your garden well things will begin to blossom very soon. It is the natural cycle of things. What blossoms this spring has much to do with your engagement or lack of engagement. If you have given the right amount of caring attention to your garden it will be beautiful. On the other hand if you have not…, you might have a garden full of weeds.
I know you get my point. Fortunately there is still time to plant the right seeds to give you the blossom you want. Sounds like as you sew, so shall you reap.
The time to act is now!
If you have tended your garden well things will begin to blossom very soon. It is the natural cycle of things. What blossoms this spring has much to do with your engagement or lack of engagement. If you have given the right amount of caring attention to your garden it will be beautiful. On the other hand if you have not…, you might have a garden full of weeds.
I know you get my point. Fortunately there is still time to plant the right seeds to give you the blossom you want. Sounds like as you sew, so shall you reap.
The time to act is now!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Distractions Never Quit - Arm Yourself
Here is something worth remembering as you prepare to embark on the journey to achieve your goals in 2010. You will have a few distractions.
Hopefully they will be the type to go away quickly. But if they are not, you’ll need to find a way to stay on track. How can you do that? It is not easy, but it may help to have a blueprint of where you intend to go or what you intend to achieve.
That sounds a lot like having written goals doesn’t? Okay, you win! That is what I am promoting here. Take the time to write down your goals for 2010.
I know you have heard it before, people who have written goals are more likely to achieve success. There are many reasons why this is true. I can think of one, can you? Imagine yourself going shopping at your grocery store. There are more than a few things you need to pick up. You may have a good memory but having a list just might save you some aggravation.
Consider what might happen if you don’t have a list and you run into an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. The chances are you are going to forget something you wanted to get. You don’t have a bad memory but you did experience a distraction – pleasant as it may be.
So, the list is analogous to writing down your goals. I know.., I know it is a bit of a stretch but hopefully you get the idea. Don’t let distractions push you off the track. If they try, you can simply pull out the goals you have written down and keep shopping for what you want. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Hopefully they will be the type to go away quickly. But if they are not, you’ll need to find a way to stay on track. How can you do that? It is not easy, but it may help to have a blueprint of where you intend to go or what you intend to achieve.
That sounds a lot like having written goals doesn’t? Okay, you win! That is what I am promoting here. Take the time to write down your goals for 2010.
I know you have heard it before, people who have written goals are more likely to achieve success. There are many reasons why this is true. I can think of one, can you? Imagine yourself going shopping at your grocery store. There are more than a few things you need to pick up. You may have a good memory but having a list just might save you some aggravation.
Consider what might happen if you don’t have a list and you run into an old friend you haven’t seen in a while. The chances are you are going to forget something you wanted to get. You don’t have a bad memory but you did experience a distraction – pleasant as it may be.
So, the list is analogous to writing down your goals. I know.., I know it is a bit of a stretch but hopefully you get the idea. Don’t let distractions push you off the track. If they try, you can simply pull out the goals you have written down and keep shopping for what you want. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Use the Change Grid
Sometimes a leader has to be a manager. This is true when it comes to evaluating the performance of people in your organization. Don’t you just love it? I am sure your people love it – NOT. So, why is there so much anxiety when it comes to appraising the performance of others? I think it has to do with the role of being a judge or being the one judged. It is a big, big issue when it concerns promotion and money.
Many organizations are now giving employees the opportunity to evaluate themselves. It is a step in the right direction but still does not get to the heart of the real issues relating to performance or change development. The real issue is tension and tension management.
Tension management can only be addressed effectively by using the Change Grid. The Change Grid is a tool that reveals the level of productive tension a team member is experiencing at a given moment in time. The tension I refer to relates to the activities involved in the work they do. The Change Grid provides a more subjective examination and it is a non-judgmental process. Think about it the next time you want to address performance for your employees or team members.
Many organizations are now giving employees the opportunity to evaluate themselves. It is a step in the right direction but still does not get to the heart of the real issues relating to performance or change development. The real issue is tension and tension management.
Tension management can only be addressed effectively by using the Change Grid. The Change Grid is a tool that reveals the level of productive tension a team member is experiencing at a given moment in time. The tension I refer to relates to the activities involved in the work they do. The Change Grid provides a more subjective examination and it is a non-judgmental process. Think about it the next time you want to address performance for your employees or team members.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
You’re The Leader…. Or Are You?
Okay, you have a team or a group of people who work with or for you. Seems to me you either have an opportunity and/or a responsibility to be the leader. You decide which is more important to you. Personally I see it as an opportunity. But what’s really important is how you show up - If you show up at all. My point is you cannot lead if you are absent – perceived or real.
You may have a committed group of people who are very good at what they do, but they still depend on your presence. Think about it. What happens to a group that has no true leader?
The answer: A leader will emerge or the group members will seek new directions or new alliances. The result can be a fractured organization or team. That can have a negative effect on your organization’s overall productivity and profitability.
When I talk about presence, I am not necessarily talking about being physically present. That is not always possible. But what I am talking about is being in touch, consistent, reliable and forward thinking. If you are not doing these things at the very least, are you really a leader?
People are only followers if there is someone who leads. Imagine That!!
You may have a committed group of people who are very good at what they do, but they still depend on your presence. Think about it. What happens to a group that has no true leader?
The answer: A leader will emerge or the group members will seek new directions or new alliances. The result can be a fractured organization or team. That can have a negative effect on your organization’s overall productivity and profitability.
When I talk about presence, I am not necessarily talking about being physically present. That is not always possible. But what I am talking about is being in touch, consistent, reliable and forward thinking. If you are not doing these things at the very least, are you really a leader?
People are only followers if there is someone who leads. Imagine That!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Our Human Capital
Times are tough. Everyone around you feels it. As the leader of a team or organization you need to be aware how these tough times affect your employees. This is especially true when it comes to their ability to perform on the job. You don’t want to ignore the concerns of your human capital. Now is not a time for guessing. There is much at stake - namely, the future of your business.
So, how can you learn what’s going on with your employees? The obvious answer is to ask. But you need to be prepared to offer a meaningful response. The message you deliver needs to be clear, relevant and truthful. You may not have all the answers but you are among other human beings. It is the common thread. The message you give needs to say “we are in this together.” These times will not last forever. Nothing ever does.
After setting the table, you will be better able to address areas for performance improvement. Here you can introduce the idea of subjective performance development assessments. This means you can help your employees to assess themselves to discover what and where support will be most helpful on the job. Remember “we are in this together.” Keep that intention in mind. You’ll be able to receive more cooperation and collaboration. And, the bottom line…, well let’s say it will be impacted. Imagine that!!
So, how can you learn what’s going on with your employees? The obvious answer is to ask. But you need to be prepared to offer a meaningful response. The message you deliver needs to be clear, relevant and truthful. You may not have all the answers but you are among other human beings. It is the common thread. The message you give needs to say “we are in this together.” These times will not last forever. Nothing ever does.
After setting the table, you will be better able to address areas for performance improvement. Here you can introduce the idea of subjective performance development assessments. This means you can help your employees to assess themselves to discover what and where support will be most helpful on the job. Remember “we are in this together.” Keep that intention in mind. You’ll be able to receive more cooperation and collaboration. And, the bottom line…, well let’s say it will be impacted. Imagine that!!
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