SHRM Blog

Five Leadership Myths

Too often people find themselves in a position of leading others without the experience or training they need and assume they can, and will, figure it out as they go. While they are 'figuring it out,' a great deal of damage can be done to the people and to the business’s results. These five leadership myths are alive and well today in every enterprise. Let’s take a look at some common leadership mythology.

1. Myth: Star performers in their field or discipline will surely be a star leader of other people. 

Reality:...

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11 Valuable Qualities of Highest Performing People Managers

What is the most valuable quality of your highest performing people managers?

To help HR professionals nurture their leadership skills, we asked HR professionals and business leaders this question for their best advice. From cultivating emotional intelligence to paying close attention to detail, there are several qualities that may help you become a high-performing people manager as you build your career. 

Here are 11 characteristics of high-performing people managers: 

  • Have confidence in your leadership ability
  • Cultivate high emotional intelligence
  • Develop communication skills and reliability
  • Show empathy to build solid relationships
  • Learn
  • ...
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We Were Warned

We were warned.

For years, companies like Gallup cautioned that the vast majority of our employees were disengaged from their work. Researchers showed us that this lowered productivity and morale, and increased absenteeism and employee turnover. They said that large chunks of our workforce were considering changing jobs or careers.

And they placed the blame squarely on managers. They said that more than 80% of our managers weren’t qualified to manage people. They found that only about 20% of people have natural management ability and that few companies have a way of...

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The Authenticity Gap

When I began my career, employees were told to leave their personal lives at the door. Bringing personal problems into the office was considered unnecessary at best and unprofessional at worst.

Today, organizations encourage employees to bring their whole selves to work. The word "authentic" is often used in recruiting material to describe a progressive, transparent and supportive organization. The idea is that if people are given the space and the freedom to be authentic at work, then creativity, collaboration, and connection to co-workers and the organization will flourish. More importantly from...

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HR Shouldn’t Be Puzzling !!

I have a phenomenal family! I don’t take that for granted. They allow me to be myself and it’s something that we value in each other. Recently, we celebrated Father’s Day, and, true to form, my kids got creative. I’m not your typical dad. I’ve always been someone with more eclectic tastes and am more comfortable with non-traditional things. I was tickled that the kids reached out to have a Facetime call and I said about two words after they wished me a happy Father’s Day. They just talked, laughed, poked fun at each other, and didn’t even realize I...

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Five Steps to Preventing Burnout Blues

If you are feeling anxious, stressed, and burned out at work, you are not alone. In a new Korn Ferry survey, 89% of professionals say they are suffering from burnout, and 81% say they are more burned out now than at the start of the pandemic. Many of us are overworked and uncertain about the future. Here are five strategies that may help you re-energize, re-invigorate, and enjoy work once again.

Say “no” but provide options – It’s hard to leave colleagues in a lurch when they ask for our help. But...

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The Myth of Losing the Innovation Edge in Hybrid and Remote Work

Fear of losing their innovative edge pushes many leaders to reject hybrid and virtual work arrangements. Yet extensive research shows that hybrid and remote teams can gain an innovation advantage and outcompete in-person teams by adopting best practices for innovation, such as virtual brainstorming. What explains this discrepancy between leadership beliefs and scientific evidence?

Having consulted for over a dozen companies on a strategic return back to the office, I discovered the root of the problem. The vast majority of leaders tried to pursue innovation during the lockdowns by adapting their office-based...

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8 Background Check Trends Impacting HR

What is one trend you're seeing with background checks, and how is this impacting HR?

To help keep HR ahead of the trends, we asked industry leaders and practitioners this question for their insights. From the rise in continuous monitoring to Ban the Box and Fair Chance hiring laws, we’ve included some of the best answers in this article.

Here are the top background check trends impacting HR professionals:

  • A rise in continuous monitoring
  • Gauging What Matters -Work Experience
  • Careful Use Of Criminal Records
  • Candidate background checks lead to better
  • ...
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Does HR Need to Look in the Mirror? SHRM Ask An Advisor

I ask the question because HR professionals can typically see what’s not working within companies, but they can’t always see what’s wrong with HR itself. HR professionals can also be guilty of having the same outdated thoughts and behaviors that we accuse employees and managers of having. Do we empathize with employee situations? Are we truly open-minded and do we listen to everyone, not just the people we think need to be heard? When was the last time an employee came to HR and said, “I need to talk about an accommodation,”...

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Look at Failure as Your Friend

When you think about, imagine, or hear the word FAILURE, does your heart sink? Do you droop your head or get angry and frustrated? If you don’t, you’re in the minority of folks who can see and react to failure as a new opportunity to try again and again, thinking more like Thomas Edison when he said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work." Ice hockey legend, Wayne Gretsky, reminded us that "We miss 100% of the shots we don't take." The truth is that most people, and certainly most leaders, don’t think about failure...

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