There are some big changes a foot so you’ll need to watch this space in the coming weeks. There’ll be a new look and other bloggers. But I’m BAAAACCCCKKKKKK!!!
Talk with you soon!!
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My Next Phase
Posted on February 28, 2010 by kjenwws
It’s been a real blast to share the blogosphere with all of you for the last two years. But as of February 26, I’ll be headed to my next adventure. Hopefully other bloggers will continue to stimulate your thinking on this site or we’ll find each other again in cyberspace.
Filed under: My Plan After 50 Musings | Leave a Comment »
Are Managers Adding Value?
Posted on February 22, 2010 by kjenwws
Research at Case Western Reserve University may point to the fact that half of managers in organizations are actually decreasing value in their organizations. Too many managers feel that their title and place on the org chart are the real source of their power, control and leadership. In fact, our titles grant us nothing as managers. Our credibility, competency and our followers are all earned through the successful execution of our roles.
Perhaps managers are measuring their effectiveness when times are bad and employees have no real options but to remain in their jobs and with their organizations. The real measure of a manager is determined during the good times when employees have many options open to them but choose to remain with their leader. Consider reading Leadership and Self-Deception and get down off that org chart!
Filed under: Management and Leadership | Leave a Comment »
From the Goodness of my Heart
Posted on February 15, 2010 by kjenwws
Don’t kid yourself; organizations don’t dangle bonus payments or incentives in front of employees without the hope of performance above and beyond the expected. As tolerance for errors decreases and performance standards rise, the outcomes defined as exceptional performance approach the impossible.
So why have some professions consistently had significant variable pay components and others none? Why do banking executives need an exorbatant bonus to work to the best of their ability while pilots or teachers manage to do the impossible on far less pay? As the demands for productivity and wealth creation fall on all employees, perhaps we need to rethink our out-dated compensation systems.
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The Myth of Employer of Choice
Posted on February 8, 2010 by kjenwws
I’ve worked for “certified” employers of choice and I’ve implemented strategies to make other organizations THE one to work for – acknowledged by those who really count, employees. My standards may be too high, though, when determining what defines an EOC (employer of choice). I can’t say that those with the distinction lived up to the moniker in reality.
The Broken Laws and Unprotected Workers Survey may now be confirming what I suspected all along. Wage and hour violations and retaliation against employees are not only on the rise but are entrenched in practice for more than 25% of the workforce. Those conducting the survey sought out the feedback of employees that are often excluded or aren’t easily accessible. These survey results may, therefore, be the most representative of workplace reallity.
One might argue that the niceties of the workplace have deteriorated because of the economy but the survey was conducted over an extended period of time and initiated prior to the financial crash. Just because times are bad, doesn’t give anyone permission to behave badly. Employers should always behave with character. Remember better conditions are on the horizon. 4 million search for work online daily and by 2030, it is projected there will be a shortfall of talent, leaving 35 million jobs unfilled.
We cannot measure our effectiveness as leaders when employees have no choice. We have to measure our effectiveness when employees have many good choices and they choose to work with us.
Filed under: Management and Leadership | Tagged: The Broken Laws and Unprotected Workers Survey | Leave a Comment »
