There is so much “information noise” and so many distractions that it’s hard for workers to be effective. There is a relentless geyser of unrequested information about people, products and places blasted to every person. And there are a multitude of tools that vie for one’s attention. This is actually harmful. Here’s why and how to reduce its impact. Continue reading →

Time management is arguably the most important skill anyone can learn. After all, the better one uses time — the ultimate finite, perishable resource — the more one can potentially accomplish. But it is also the hardest and most vexing skill to master. At work, managers give deadlines to ensure employees manage time well. And, bosses will often cite Parkinson’s Law – that every task will fill the time allocated to doing it — as the reason for giving tight deadlines. But is Parkinson’s Law true and is that approach effective? Here’s what you may not know about Parkinson’s Law and what you should know about time management.

Read more. Continue reading →

There is an interesting phenomena occurring in today’s job market. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 4.6% in October 2021. But the workforce is also getting smaller as the labor force participation rate also continues to contract, as it has been for over 20 years. With fewer and fewer people looking for work, employers are having to get better at recruiting and retaining talent. Raising salaries is a short-term solution that fuels inflation and doesn’t address what workers seek. Instead, workplaces need to get creative.

Here’s how some companies are doing it. Continue reading →

The principle of “Accumulated Advantage” says that when an individual, group or organization gains a certain advantage over others, this advantage then starts to be compounded over time. And that compounded gain is what eventually hits a tipping point that separates that person or company from all the rest. So how does accumulated advantage actually work and how can businesses leverage this principle to their benefit?

Read more. Continue reading →

Given how hard it is to recruit, hire and train employees these days, employee retention is more important than ever. And a key to keeping employees is maintaining a positive workplace. While conflicts in the workplace are unavoidable — where there are people, there is bound to be friction and even the best workplaces with the nicest people experience conflicts – it doesn’t have to be destructive or lead to turnover. Conflicts can be managed. It’s crucial for managers and leaders to develop Conflict Competence… the skills to mediate conflicts. Thankfully, these skills can be learned and improved. What does that entail?

Read More. Continue reading →