11
Nov

IKEA I am WOWed! New President! New Customer Experience!

IKEA you have WOWed me! I didn’t know that was possible. Two places that I hate to be: Walmart – during the holiday season IKEA – on any given Saturday. I know I am not alone in this! I know, I know – so many of you are dedicated to the uber modern IKEA. Although I hate shopping at the store, I do like their furniture, and their price …
29
Oct

3 Ways to Handle a “Little” Unethical Problem

Is there such a thing as being a “little” unethical? Is that like being a “little” pregnant? Fraud, grand theft, discrimination based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation – are just a few examples of unethical behaviour. Why should supply stealing be any less important? I ask this because I did an informal poll, and found that some …
01
Oct

Never Give an Apology as a Leader?

SHOULD YOU NEVER SAY YOU’RE SORRY? If we can agree that people are innately not perfect creatures, then we can also agree that leaders will make mistakes at certain points in their career. Some will be small, some will big, and some mistakes will be downright disastrous. It seems common sense that people like apologies. But, how do we REALLY feel …
24
Sep

How to create a disengaged employee in 4 easy steps…

1. Don’t include your employees in the big-picture purpose of their role. This means that when your employees are working, they are completing their tasks – without thinking of the bigger reason why they are completing their tasks. Unfortunately, they won’t feel connected to the company, and they won’t be strategically aligned with overall company …
17
Dec

You’re wrong about what engages employees

Last week, I was struck once again by how wrong leaders often are about what engages employees. As I was outlining a plan for culture workshops with the senior leadership team at a client organization, I described a brainstorming activity for the employees in the room to come up with ideas for making each other’s day and creating a positive work …
03
Jan

Transforming HR – My 2013 Wishlist – #3: From Business Partner to Business Leader

This is part three of my 2013 wishlist for transforming HR. For the intro, check out Wish #1. My third wish for transforming HR in 2013 is: From business partner to business leader. There is something about the title “HR Business Partner” and the description of HR as a function that “partners with” or “serves” …
03
Aug

Success Without Motherhood – Guest Post

Foreword from Pam: This post is a little different for this site, but it struck a chord with me, bringing back memories of the sympathetic looks I often get when I say I’m single or without children. In fact, I have had people literally say “Oh, I’m so sorry – that’s okay – you still have time to get married and have …