Those familiar with “The Office” remember the first season episode, “Diversity Day.” It features a sequence of uncomfortable scenes that mock the anti-racism training that has become so popular in corporate settings. It’s rumored that the indelible scene in which
Often, when a company completes administering an employee survey, I get this question from clients: “Why is our culture score low when our engagement is so high?” Culture and engagement are thought of interchangeably, but they’re two very different concepts. Here’s a
Many industries are cyclical in nature. They often have periods that require a downshift in staffing needs. But for industries that have typically sustained business activity, an economic downturn that requires a reduction in force (RIF) can be new –
My youngest son Miles, who is in first grade this year, has dabbled in sports without showing a consistent interest in any of them. In previous years, he played golf and basketball but was pretty noncommittal about continuing with either
Everyone watches out for “red flags,” the indicators of organizations or individuals that make for an unpleasant work experience. But as I interact with leaders at various levels across different industries in my executive coaching work, I see many “green
It’s easy to lead when conditions are great. Business is booming, salaries are competitive, and bonuses are generous. Executives praise their teams, and a winning attitude permeates the culture. But those who understand the cyclical nature of business know that peaks
In my DEI work with clients, I focus on the importance of Trust, Candor, Humility and Grace. For leaders to be effective and for employees to feel connected and valued within their organizations, these qualities need to become central aspects
No matter when you read this, something going on in the country or the world today is having a negative impact on your employees. From mass shootings to economic instability to the fear of losing rights once thought permanent… this
Lessons from a Forty-Year Friendship It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top. And it shouldn’t be. For leaders to successfully model and coach good interpersonal behavior, they have to engage in it. That’s not always easy. Numerous studies and
Most leaders today agree that a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is important to their organization. A mid-2021 Harris Poll, conducted in partnership with Just Capital, found that 94% of large organization employers (500+ employees) say that their organization recently
Across all industries and levels, companies are finding it difficult to hire. Various reports show millions more open jobs than there are candidates to fill them, so recruiters are becoming more creative, resilient and enterprising as they seek your next
5 Keys to Cultivating Culture Anywhere Gift-wrapping a colleague’s cubicle on their birthday. Presenting an official key on the first day of work. Touching a sculpture in the lobby for good luck. These are all examples of office-based traditions that employees –
Everyone knows a manager who excelled at all the technical aspects of their job and was promoted based on that success. But soon comes the realization, either by colleagues or to themselves: what got them here won’t keep them here.
Having consulted in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) space for the past 25 years, I’ve seen a lot of organizations approach it in ways that are doomed from the start. Although their efforts may be well-intentioned, you can’t “do”
Whether you are currently serving in a management or executive role for your company, you are new to a leadership role, or you aspire to be in one, performing your existing job duties well isn’t enough. For leaders to successfully
There’s a lot of chatter about authenticity at work. Some companies place great emphasis on enabling authenticity under the same umbrella as supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Some studies show that employees who feel they can be “real”
Fear, doubt, feeling out of touch with colleagues. These are just some of the challenges executive coaches and former colleagues Charles Story and Richard A. Smith have addressed in their more than a half-century of combined experience working with, and
Executive Coaches Charles Story and Richard A. Smith have more than a half-century of combined experience working with, and serving as, executive leaders. They met in 1995 at INROADS, the organization dedicated to cultivating diverse managerial talent, where Charles was