SHRM Blog

The Human Capital Advantage

Without leadership, a business enterprise will eventually fail. Survival is possible without a strategy but seldom over the long haul. Great strategy with lousy execution isn’t worth the piece of paper it is written on. The consequence of these proclamations is obvious. Get it right, bring it all together and you have commercial magic. The glue that binds leadership, strategy, and execution is people – quality individuals at the board level, in the C-suite, in the office, on the factory floor, and in the field.     
 
Until the information age, companies needed scads of people to run...

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#Nextchat RECAP: Why HR Still Has an Image Problem

On January 9, SHRM We Know Next chatted with Laurie Ruettimann (@LRuettimann) and Tim Sackett (@TimSackett) about the topic "Why HR Still Has an Image Problem."

In case you missed this fun and informative chat, here are all the great tweets:

 

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9 Steps You Can Take Today To Find A New Job in 2013

It’s a brand new year, a time where many people attack their New Year’s resolutions with excitement and resolve. If you were one of the many people whose resolution involves finding a new job or making  career change, you may be wondering where to start. Here are nine steps you can take today to position yourself well to find your next gig.

  1. Update your resume: How long has it been since you updated your resume? Chances are it could benefit from at least a few tweaks. Whether you’re actively looking for a job or not, it’s a
  2. ...
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The Gift of Leadership

Have you ever worked for an extraordinary leader?

I have. It can be a life-enhancing experience.

Leadership is an awesome responsibility. The best leaders are acutely aware of the impact they have and at the same time recognize that leadership isn’t about them. It is about helping people become who they are capable of becoming in an effort to get the best results.

I consider being on both the receiving and giving end of extraordinary leadership in the video below. The best way to acknowledge receiving the gift of extraordinary leadership is to pay it forward....

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Joy is a Leader's Job

Aretha Franklin was on to something. She sang it loud and proud, "All I want, honey, is a little respect." And that applies to work as well. The number one reason people leave a job? A disrespecting boss. Not lack of money. Lack of respect.

What if joy was a leader's responsibility? A skill required. An expectation of good leadership. A competency no less important than thinking strategically or leading change.

What is joy?

Great delight or happiness caused by something good or satisfying (thank you, dictionary.com). Could work really be the source of delight and...

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Is There Room for Humanity in HR?

Last month, I wrote a blog titled, “A Holiday Tale by a Jewish Guy Who Wears a Chai.”  I wanted to address the serious potholes we navigate around the holiday season, but in a fun way.

I dedicated the blog post to my grandparents.  I shared how I miss lighting the menorah candles with them.

In response to the post, I had a lot of conversations with clients and other friends about the legal and HR issues raised.  But more than that, many shared with me stories about memories of holidays past with their grandparents and others...

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HR's 2013 "To Do" List

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions.  Everyone else, though, has their top ten lists of resolutions for 2013.  And for HR, everyone wants you to go socially mobile into the Cloud.

Me?  Not so much.

I am big on “to do” lists, though.  And, while there’s lots for HR to do in 2013, here are my top 4:

1.)  Have a tactical plan to stay on top of regulatory (pay particular attention to NLRB rulings and timetables for implementation of the Affordable Healthcare Act) and legislative changes coming from your city, your state house...

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#Nextchat: Helicopter Parents Descend Upon the Workplace

Helicopter parenting is the new catchphrase for over-parenting in the 21st century, and while the phenomenon manifests itself mostly during school years, it has crossed the workplace border as many moms and dads now manage their children’s careers.

Employers report more frequent parental involvement in the adult child’s job search and continued involvement even after hire. 

While some employers discourage parental involvement, others encourage family members to learn more about the job and the company. They know that if parents see a solid organization with growing opportunities, they’re more likely to persuade their child to take the job -- and tell others about it.  You...

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Opportunity or Task?

“People.  They’re all around us every day.  It’s as if we HAVE to deal with them!”

Sound familiar?  Sound like you?  Sound like most people in the workplace . . . and HR?  It’s not surprising.  The workplace is filled with people.  It’s an amazing fact.  They desperately want to interact, communicate, perform and excel.  But, most of our efforts each day are to limit, thwart, conceal and conform.  Why is that?

Do you know that the first thing the vast majority of people do when they take that first step out of the car to enter...

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