SHRM Blog

Bringing Empathy Back

by Joe GerstandtOn May 14, 2012 0 comments

We are pretty good at knowing what our point of view is (and we are pretty good at thinking highly of our point of view). We are also good at knowing when someone disagrees with our delightful point of view. We are not quite so good at understanding why they disagree with us.
 
The value of diversity is not just that it gives us more options —  it actually gives us the opportunity to create new options. Seeking a broad range of perspectives and ideas is not just about amassing the largest pool to choose from...

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Wanted: Mind Reader/Magician

by Steve BatesOn May 11, 2012 0 comments

You probably recall the dust-up in April after it was revealed that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) hired a clown and a mind reader to entertain some of its employees at a conference. Among the mind reader’s services was giving a GSA employee a message from Beyond from the employee’s dead dog. The scandal prompted the head of the agency to resign.

That dust had barely settled when another federal agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was found to be advertising for a magician to wow attendees at its conference. The magician was supposed to...

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Career Counseling Must Connect Dots Between Skills, Available Jobs

by Joe CoombsOn May 10, 2012 0 comments

An April 23, 2012, Associated Press report revealed some troubling information regarding job opportunities for the Class of 2012. It said that half of recent college graduates are jobless or underemployed in positions that don’t use their skills and knowledge fully.

The figures were based on 2011 U.S. Census data analyzed by Andrew Sum, director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University.

While there are still many good job opportunities available for graduates with skills in sciences, technology, education and health care, prospects are dimmer for arts and humanities majors as well as those...

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Executive Book Club: MAY 2012

by SHRM StaffOn May 9, 2012 0 comments

As a professional, your reputation is your most valuable career asset. Whether you're climbing the ladder at your current company or seeking a new job, in today's fast-paced work environment, you must proactively and continuously position yourself for success. Your credibility, visibility, personality, and personal style all make up your brand. Build and nurture your personal brand and you'll make yourself a must-have in ANY company.  

Career Distinction, written by, William Arruda and Kristen Dixson, outlines the proven personal branding process and provides case...

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#NEXTCHAT: Creating Generational Engagement with Reverse Mentoring

by Elizabeth Gartner, Prem Kumar and Ross SmithOn May 9, 2012 0 comments

“Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.” – George Orwell

When your alarm goes off each morning, and you roll out of bed to schlep off to work, you are entering a community that’s unprecedented in human history (even if it doesn’t feel that way on a Monday).

Yep, it’s true - you are a part of the first global workforce that contains members of FOUR generations.  Economic, technological, geographic, and socio-demographic trends are contributing to make the early 21st...

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Being the Lead Singer in Your Career

by Jason LauritsenOn May 8, 2012 0 comments

Who would you say are the best rock and roll lead singers of all time? I'm guessing that a bunch of names come to mind for you. In fact, we could probably have a spirited debate over who is the best, even if you aren't a big music fan. Now, name the best back-up singers of all time? You know, those people on nearly every album who provide the harmonies and the depth to the songs. Nothing? The list of the best backup singers is a lot harder to come by.

So, what is it that makes the...

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Reverse Mentoring as a Means of Cross-Generational/Cross-Life-Stage Engagement

by Elizabeth Gartner, Prem Kumar and Ross SmithOn May 7, 2012 0 comments

Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.  - George Orwell 


Mentee perspective – Ross

 I am 48 years old and started working on software before my mentor, Prem, was born.  Prem’s research on Gen Y was intriguing, particularly his
recommendations around reverse mentoring, and I asked if he would be MY mentor a few years back. 

A few of the things I’ve learned is how similar Prem is to h...

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SHRM: May LINE Report

by SHRM StaffOn May 4, 2012 0 comments

According to the SHRM Leading Indicators of National Employment (LINE) Report for May 2012, job creation will continue in the manufacturing and service sectors in May 2012, although the rate of growth will not reach the level of a year ago. 

Manufacturing will continue to hire at a solid rate in May. About 40.5 percent of manufacturers will add jobs in May, while 30.4 percent of service sector companies will hire. The rate of hiring for May 2012 will fall by 3.8 percent compared to May 2011,...

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4 Keys to Collaborative Leadership

by Ryan EstisOn May 4, 2012 0 comments

The world of work is a complicated place.
 
Technology, globalization and the great recession have accelerated the pace of change and brought about category disruption, new competition and what can feel like never ending chaos.
 
In a time where we need people to step up and become the very best of who they are capable of becoming, job satisfaction is at unprecedented lows and trust and confidence in senior leadership has plummeted.
 
We can do better. Leaders and Managers have to recognize that the legacy, command and control style of...

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5 Reasons to Rethink High Potential Programs

by Irene HahnOn May 3, 2012 0 comments

We all talk about high potentials being the next best thing since sliced bread.   They are the employees in our midst that seemingly can do it all and we recognize them for their efforts.   We come to rely on them whenever there is something we need to get done and done well.  They are thought of first for projects and are primed for promotions.  Where does that leave everyone else, though?  High potentials are a small number from a much larger pool of employees.  If you don't engage this larger group, how will you know what their...

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