Six men and I sat atop four and a half million pounds of explosives waiting for the fuse to be lit to begin our flight on the Space Shuttle Discovery. We knew that for the next seven days our lives would depend on our acting synergistically. If anything went awry during the flight, if we didn’t work together, we might not make it home safely. How did we come to that moment … [More]

Have you ever dreaded having a conversation with an employee who wasn’t meeting performance expectations? Maybe you avoided it, hoping it would improve on its own? If so, you are not alone. Most managers would agree that one of their least favorite tasks is talking to an employee about poor performance. When performance conversations are ignored, success is left up to … [More]

Many factors go into a company’s decision to hire someone: the candidate’s experience, talent, skills, and ability to communicate, for starters. But while a sparkling resume and impressive job interview are still important considerations, a job prospect’s ability to fit the company’s culture has never been more critical in the hiring process, says Joel Patterson, a workplace … [More]

Curiosity and allyship drive inclusion for people of color in the workplace, according to a new study from Catalyst. Conversely, the study, "Allyship and Curiosity Drive Inclusion for People of Color at Work," cautions senior leaders to avoid performative allyship, which often maintains the status quo by appearing to support change without making real, equitable change for … [More]

Strategic recruiters attract the best talent before candidates even know what the company does. There was a time when Apple was known only as a fruit, the word “Nike” had no meaning and Walgreen was simply a family name. All brands started unknown and had to build a reputation, a pattern of success in their industry and a positive experience for users. All companies, no … [More]

In a recent article in Harvard Business Review, Elisabeth Kelan writes about “gender fatigue,” which she describes as the phenomenon of people acknowledging that gender inequality exists in general, but not in their workplace. Lots of people, it seems, are all for gender equity, inclusion and a diverse workforce. Yet, it is just not happening. It reminded me about the … [More]

The Execu|Search Group released its 2021 Hiring Outlook titled, 3 Strategies For Building A Resilient Workforce During Uncertain Times. The report, which provides insight into the factors that most impact employee engagement, aims to help employers navigate their talent pool in an evolving market. This is critical as COVID-19 continues to run its course in 2021, and companies … [More]

Women are making progress in corporate leadership. A record 41 female CEOs are scheduled to run Fortune 500 companies in 2021. Along with this positive news about diversity and equality in the workplace, business observers think another good example was set by a male CEO deciding to step down in 2021. Zalando’s Rubin Ritter said he is leaving his position so he can put his … [More]