Employees don't feel empowered to speak up, even when they really should, says a new book Speak Up – Say what needs to be said and hear what needs to be heard, written by Professor Megan Reitz, of the Ashridge Hult Business School, and John Higgins, Research Director at The Right Conversation. The research covers more than 4000 employees at every level of a business. The goal: … [Read more...]
Prevent Communication Problems With Your New Team
When you take over a team, outline expectations for how you want to communicate with your new employees. Doing so helps to ensure that they meet those expectations, that you reduce misunderstandings and that you prevent productivity-zapping communication breakdowns. As soon as you assume your role as leader, lay out these guidelines: How you prefer to communicate Are you … [Read more...]
When You Catch an Employee in a Lie
Uh-oh. You caught an employee in a bold-faced lie, and now you're not sure what to do next. A single lie has the power to destroy your trust in the employee, but what is more concerning is why the person told the lie in the first place. Is he hiding something? Does she fear your response? And if the person lied so easily this go round, does it mean he or she has lied before? … [Read more...]
Employee Orientation Matters: Here’s How to Nail It
How important is your orientation period? According to research by Glassdoor, very important: Organizations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82 percent and productivity by over 70 percent. That's a big deal, and yet, only 12 percent of employees strongly agree that their organizations did a great job of onboarding them, according to … [Read more...]
The Graduates Are Coming: Take Advantage of This Talent Infusion
The 2019 graduates are about to take the workforce by storm. If you've been struggling to find the right employees in this tight talent market, this is good news. But how willing are you to consider candidates who are fresh out of college or high school? According to an in-depth survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education, 44% of employers value experience over pure … [Read more...]
How to Encourage Employees to Speak Up
As you take on a new management role, you want to make sure that you’re communicating effectively with your team members. But how are you going to get them to open up to you? Many employees have trouble being forthcoming with any boss, let alone a brand new one. Try out these encouraging phrases to get the words flowing: “Help me understand …” Put the blame for … [Read more...]
Ensure a Fun (Drama-Free) Company Picnic
It's that time of year again for the annual company picnic. Whether yours is a huge party funded by your organization or a small backyard barbecue that you host for your team, they are full of opportunities for employees to embarrass themselves and your employer. Fortunately, whether you’re throwing the party or attending it, there are precautions you can take to ensure that … [Read more...]
7 Ways to Become a More Amazing Boss
The smartest thing you can do as both a leader and an employee is proactively look for ways to improve your skills. Attend training (our next Bud to Boss online workshop starts in May!) and read as many leadership blogs, books and whitepapers as you can. As important, however, is that you look for learning opportunities in your daily routine. If you want to be the type of … [Read more...]
Are You Assertive or Aggressive? The Difference Matters
No matter how great a manager you are, bad things will happen at work: not every day, but occasionally. It’s how you handle those incidents—the ones that fill you with frustration, anger and dread—that determine what kind of leader you are. If you respond to those occasions aggressively (outwardly or passively), you’ll undermine your team, spread fear and start the rumor mill. … [Read more...]
9 Must-Ask Questions for Your Next Job Applicant
How do you select the best employee for your organization? You have to know the right interview questions to ask and what to look for in your interviewees’ responses. Incorporate these into your next interview: Why do you want to work for this organization? You will discover how much research they’ve done and whether or not their expectations are realistic. If they offer … [Read more...]