Thoughts on people, teams, organizations, communities, effectiveness and success
Seth Godin recently blogged that “unreasonable is the new reasonable” – the only person or business that succeeds are those that offer qualities or service that no one can ever approach.
I quibble with Godin’s assessment (I believe it’s more hype that actual performance). I don’t quibble with his take to the appearance of those qualities.… Read the rest
“Facts,” as former President Ronald Reagan once noted, “are stupid things.” And as John Adams more accurately noted, “Facts are stubborn things” as well.
So when your normal mode of operation squares off with the facts of evidence-based research, it’s time to stop being stupid or stubborn, and think about changes to your way of behaving.… Read the rest
It never ceases to be an interesting world in which we work.
Job titles have morphed (inflated would be another word) as companies have paid in title to augment what formerly would have been paid in compensation, or have countered the title inflation of their competition – like Dr. Seuss’ Butter Battle War – with inflated titles of their own.
The line from former US President Harry Truman, “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,” came to mind immediately.
“Would I do a reference call with my prospective new boss?” my former colleague “Kim” asked.
Though Kim had worked for three years at a division of a major US company, her potential new boss in a sister division wanted to talk with employment references from before her time with the current firm.… Read the rest
The current job market is generally a seller’s market: qualified applicants significantly outnumber available openings. Unlike the early part of the decade – a buyer’s market – it means that employers can be (and usually are) very selective in whom they hire, and buyers – job applicants – don’t have the ability to be very highly selective due to the undersupply of job openings.… Read the rest
Chris Guillebau’s recent retweet – “never take a job you’re already qualified for” – combined with playdate with a mom with two small kids yesterday – reminded me (once again) that sometimes you take a job because it is just a job. And a job for which you’re well qualified.
The fantasy among some career counselors is that career planning is strategic planning with precision tactical implementation.… Read the rest