The People Equation

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

Think about someone you lead who you don’t see eye-to-eye with. Do you seem to be having the same tired old conversation again and again? Do you think that if you could just somehow make your point in a way that’s more appealing, then surely this person will see your point of view? I’m reminded of something Al Switzler, co-author of the books Crucial Conversations and Influencer said during a webinar: “If your response to frustrating conversations is to increase the frequency of your key point o

Policies 180

Policies Company ATS 180

The People Equation

AUGUST 21, 2023

Trust can definitely be depleted — with behaviors like being rude , or losing your cool. The good news is trust is a renewable resource that leaders have access to, if they know how to tap into it. Here’s an infographic we created at People Equation to sum up important facts about building trust in the workplace. Think of it as your inspiration to go out and build up some trust today with those you lead.

Resources 133

Resources How To ATS 133

The People Equation

AUGUST 7, 2023

How should a leader respond to an employee complaint? Depending on the circumstances that surround the concern or grievance, there are varying approaches on how to proceed. Below are five different responses to employees who voice concerns. Get clear on the type of complaint that’s voiced In this stellar HBR article , the authors describe four types of complaints: Productive, Venting, Chronic and Malicious.

Productivity 166

Productivity Wellness How To ATS 166

The People Equation

JUNE 26, 2023

Here’s an interesting question about workplace communication: What do you say to someone who says, “Want some cheese with that whine?” to you at work? Google is sending folks to this blog with those keywords, so apparently, there are people who are grappling with it. So, let’s take a look at how to handle the snarky jab from a potentially less-than-friendly source.

Course 203

Course Wellness ATS How To 203

The People Equation

JUNE 19, 2023

What are the stories we tell ourselves? It’s a simple question, yet one rich with possibility. In my years of creating leadership development programs, one of the “stories” that continually surfaces with leaders is the story of “I need to do X for my direct reports because they are not yet ready/willing/able to do it for themselves.” At first blush, this story seems an “open and shut” case.

Coaching 183

Coaching Compliance Training Report ATS 183

The People Equation

MAY 22, 2023

What’s the secret to building a trusting team dynamic? From the many actions leaders take to build trust, there is one that research finds to be a game-changer: vulnerability. Leaders who are willing to share their small weaknesses are better able to connect with their teams and build stronger relationships. Want to learn the benefits of being more transparent about your struggles–and how to use this communication practice effectively?

Study 238

Study Compliance Training How To Meeting 238

The People Equation

MAY 15, 2023

Psychological safety is having an identity crisis. The once-obscure academic concept is now part of mainstream corporate lexicon–and, surprise! It’s been taken out of context, used incorrectly and misappropriated to the point that it’s barely recognizable in its current state. The concept’s bastardization is a crying shame because its original intention was pure: to offer a framework for leaders to create a culture where people feel free to voice their (sometimes) unpopular or sensitive opinions

Compliance Training 180

Compliance Training Groups System Productivity 180

The People Equation

MAY 1, 2023

When did the word “no” become impermissible at work? Many people think they can’t say “no” on the job. They tell me, “It’s just not acceptable.” They say it’s because they work in a “can do” culture. Or, they work for a boss who is pure evil. They’re afraid they’ll lose their jobs if they don’t try to do everything humanly possible to bring in one more client, finish up one last project before heading home…

ATS 195

ATS Conference Compliance Training Examples 195

The People Equation

APRIL 17, 2023

We humans love a good label and right now, the word “toxic” is having a moment. Ever since it was highlighted as Oxford Dictionary’s international word of the year , quite a few of us have been noticing – and rightly so – that certain behaviors, policies and organizational systems in the workplace aren’t healthy. Love the word, or hate it, leaders need to be aware of what’s going on with themselves, their teams and the organization as a whole so they can eradicate the creep of virulence before e

Groups 254

Groups Immedis System Policies 254

The People Equation

MARCH 28, 2023

There are hundreds of articles written each week about creating workplace morale through improved employee engagement, yet how many of those articles describe the specifics of what leaders must do to achieve this important, yet elusive objective? Meet Bob Richards, CEO of North American operations for a global logistics company. Bob has extensive experience in building engaged, productive teams (that are fun to work with!

Employee Engagement 209

Employee Engagement Policies Examples Company 209

The People Equation

FEBRUARY 20, 2023

A hard truth: at one time or another, we’ve all been a jerk at work. Maybe it was a looming deadline that finally snapped your last nerve. Or an issue from your home life seeped over into work and made you edgy and cranky. Whatever the reason, sometimes leaders are rude to others. It happens. But it’s not just about your momentary rudeness. There’s a larger issue at hand: when you’re a leader, your actions affect a much larger wider circle of folks — and that has implications for your lead

ATS 197

ATS Time and Attendance Competencies Conference 197

The People Equation

FEBRUARY 6, 2023

As a leader, how do you let your team know you are available to them? Sure, you’ve probably said (more times than you can count) “I’m here if you need me.” But do you back those words up with actions that show you are not only available but approachable? That’s a distinction that merits exploration, don’t you think? The Approachability Litmus Test for leaders A leader can be physically available (“our one-to-one is at 3:00 PM today”) but still unapproachable (distracted, critical or sarcastic.

Meeting 287

Meeting Compliance Training ATS 287

The People Equation

NOVEMBER 7, 2022

Very early in my career, I had four bosses in the span of less than four years. It’s not as bad as it sounds; I worked in retail where churn was high. And all of the departures were due to internal promotions, so that’s a good thing. I look back on that time fondly because each woman I reported to had very different work styles and personalities. Not only were these women my work team leaders, they were my mentors and I was a sponge, soaking up their advice and insider tips.

Time and Attendance 254

Time and Attendance Interview Software Meeting Planning Tools 254

The People Equation

OCTOBER 24, 2022

Younger workers really like recognition. Research tells us that workers born after 1989 are 73% more likely to want frequent recognition than those in the Generation X and Baby Boomer demographics. In fact, some Gen Xers and Boomers say they “never” want recognition! This gap in expectations sets up a potential disconnect between leaders and their employees as it relates to workplace recognition.

Wellness 150

Wellness ATS 150

The People Equation

OCTOBER 10, 2022

I have long maintained that there is such a thing as “positive” office politics. “Bah!” You say with skepticism. “No such thing.” Here’s my counter-argument: there’s nothing inherently wrong with people who use power and status, but it’s the way in which they use it that gives office politics its bad name. It’s those “people behaving badly” when playing office politics that conjures up images of favoritism, greediness or selfishness.

Assessment Software 204

Assessment Software Competencies Tools Compliance Training 204

The People Equation

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

Appreciation matters. According to research by recognition experts OC Tanner, only 61% of people feel appreciated at work. And although many employers think the reason people leave is compensation, only 12% of people who leave their company cite that as the reason for their departure. The real reason folks are departing? A whopping 79% say they’re out the door because of a lack of appreciation.

Compensation 268

Compensation Analytics Wellness ATS 268

The People Equation

AUGUST 29, 2022

When we were kids, all it took was donning a beach towel cape and running through the neighborhood to make us feel strong and competent. A simple garment addition and voila! We were superheroes. Then, we grew up and went to work. At your place of employment, you might be less inclined to feel the superhero and more likely to think, “We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful.

ATS 222

ATS Competencies Conference Meeting 222

The People Equation

AUGUST 19, 2022

When you hear the phrase “office politics,” what comes to mind? Do you imagine: Favoritism Back-stabbing “Makes me want to run and hide” Cronyism Self-interest. It’s not a pretty list, is it? Whenever I talk with people about “office politics” their viewpoints have a negative theme associated with them. These words represent the dark side of human nature – what I call “people behaving badly” at work.

Competencies 168

Competencies Talent Development Groups Immedis 168

The People Equation

AUGUST 15, 2022

Meetings at your company aren’t going away. If anything, that much-maligned beast is growing in prominence, thanks to the remnants of the surge of video meetings created by the pandemic. Meeting attendance ranges from a weekly average of 15% when spread across all job types, to upwards of 70% of an executive’s week. So, yeah. Meetings are a thing. And if you run meetings, it’s your job to make sure they’re as effective as possible. .

Meeting 193

Meeting Time and Attendance Trends Productivity 193

The People Equation

JULY 26, 2022

In the New York Times bestselling book, Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success , author Adam Grant makes the case for being a “giver.” He writes, “Givers don’t wait for signs of potential. Because they tend to be trusting and optimistic about other people’s intentions, in their roles as leaders and mentors, givers are inclined to see the potential in everyone.

ATS 247

ATS Coaching Wellness 247

The People Equation

JULY 12, 2022

“Hey, I need a sounding board. Can I run something past you?” This is pretty typical at work, especially if you’re a leader. But what if you’re not in a position of titled leadership? If you’re an individual contributor, congratulations! Somebody sees you as a trustworthy confidant. Should you offer advice or coach them? Is there a difference? Should you coach if you’re not a leader?

Coaching 237

Coaching ATS 237

The People Equation

JUNE 28, 2022

As a leader, what’s the best way to foster a learning mindset in your employees? Become a habitual learner yourself. Start by asking yourself, what’s the most significant thing I’ve learned in the last 10 days? By “learning,” I don’t necessarily mean attending an educational event. Rather, what have you recently discovered that will aid you in leading your team?

Compliance Training 209

Compliance Training ATS Examples Report 209

The People Equation

MAY 31, 2022

“She’s hard on herself, but it’s because she demands excellence. ” “The team is relentless in their pursuit of perfection.” How many times have you heard others – or said something similar – and meant it as a compliment? When employees demand perfection of themselves, there’s a fine line between healthy striving and self-defeating perfectionism.

Exercises 281

Exercises Talent Experience Coaching Productivity 281

The People Equation

APRIL 19, 2022

Leadership communication tips are found in unique places, if you know where to look. Case in point: my friend Becky Robinson , who runs a digital PR and Marketing agency, published a book titled, Reach: Create the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book or Cause. Even though my blog is in the leadership development niche, I wanted to help Becky get the word out regarding her book.

Immedis 170

Immedis How To Compliance Training 170

The People Equation

MARCH 29, 2022

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash. Has developing future leaders at your company become a complex web of activities? With formal processes like 360-degree feedback processes, individual development plans, and high-potential candidate reviews, it’s no wonder that leaders feel swamped and put leadership development on the back burner. Or maybe you work for an organization that doesn’t have those formal practices and you’re on your own.

Coaching 175

Coaching Compliance Training Meeting Training 175

The People Equation

MARCH 15, 2022

Unsplash. What makes for a successful organizational transformation? According to consulting firm McKinsey’s latest research , there are several key success factors. A study of a large cross section of companies revealed success indicators that line up with what you might expect: keeping executives up to speed, capital asset allocation and setting clear objectives.

Talent Acquisition 139

Talent Acquisition Resources Meeting Study 139

The People Equation

MARCH 10, 2022

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash. As a leader, you know the importance of listening to employees, be it knowing when to shut up or creating a speak up culture. Leadership listening is an interpersonal endeavor – two people engaged in dialog to achieve mutual understanding. Recently, I encountered the act of listening framed in a broader, more organizational way – and it’s an intriguing thought.

Change Management 170

Change Management HR Software Survey Trends 170

The People Equation

MARCH 9, 2022

Do you dread having “the career chat” with some (maybe all?) of your team members? You know, the one where Emily says, “I just finished my MBA and want bigger challenges. I’m ready to move up” and there are zero promotional opportunities for her. Or, Stan – your 35+ year employee – rolls his eyes when the career planning session is mentioned at the team meeting.

Career Development 207

Career Development Compensation Competencies Study 207

The People Equation

FEBRUARY 15, 2022

Welcome to guest author John Stanko, who, along with Jim Dittmar, have written a new book launching later this month titled, The LEADERS Model: Essential Practices for Today’s Leaders. ~ Jennifer. Guest post by John W. Stanko. I have worked with many nonprofits over the years, including some churches, and have found them for the most part to be fiscally responsible.

Discrimination 171

Discrimination Resources Wellness Company 171

The People Equation

FEBRUARY 1, 2022

Does your workplace have a hybrid configuration or hybrid culture? The Great Place to Work blog offers the distinction and it’s an important one for leaders. A hybrid configuration is one that pays attention to the mechanics of hybrid work models – who works from home, who works on-site and so on. Think, “place and space” focus. By contrast, a hybrid culture is one that, according to this GPTW article , “is the combination of workplace systems, behaviors and values that cut across in-person and

Planning Tools 184

Planning Tools System Data Company 184

The People Equation

JANUARY 18, 2022

Are you getting the most out of your 1:1 meetings with your boss? If you leave these meetings thinking, That’s an hour of my life I’ll never get back then it’s time to evaluate how to make things better. Believe it or not, face time with your direct supervisor can be worthwhile, if you’re willing to make a few tweaks. Read on to see if any of these barriers are standing in the way.

Meeting 221

Meeting Compliance Training Examples Productivity 221

The People Equation

JANUARY 11, 2022

Leaders, do you want a simple, easy-to-remember process for staying up-to-date with your team’s workload? Here’s an idea I heard from my colleague Sally. (She said it was OK to share with my blog readers, so, thanks Sally!). Sally told me about a process that one of her favorite managers created to stay in communication with his direct reports. Once a week, Sally would meet with her work team leader to review what he called the “Three P’s”: Plans, Progress, and Problems.

Meeting 211

Meeting ATS Planning Tools Tools 211

The People Equation

DECEMBER 7, 2021

After nearly two years of the grief, trauma and anxiety of living through a pandemic, it’s no surprise that most of us are tired and have brain fog. Many workers report a feeling of languishing and it shows no signs of abating. As of the writing of this post, the omicron variant has hit the shores of the United States. The uncertainty of its impact creates fresh dread across the globe, which further fuels weariness. .

Meeting 267

Meeting Groups Exercises Coaching 267

The People Equation

NOVEMBER 16, 2021

The Great Resignation, the Great Reshuffle, The Great Migration. The media is awash with coverage about stats that indicate workers are on the move in numbers previously unseen in the U.S. labor market. No matter what it’s called, this workplace trend affects leaders all over our country as employees leave their current employers in droves. What does it mean to managers struggling to maintain staffing levels?

Staffing 192

Staffing Metrics Trends Comparison 192

The People Equation

NOVEMBER 2, 2021

. Phil is the president of a mid-size company that has a huge safety problem. If you were to tell him this, Phil would scoff and proudly show you his company’s OSHA records. It’s true that Phil’s company does a great job protecting the physical safety of his workers. However, it’s an entirely different type of “safety” in the workplace that’s lacking, and it’s being driven by Phil’s own actions, even though he doesn’t realize it.

Workable 146

Workable Coaching Company Immedis 146

The People Equation

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Spoiler alert: I’m a big fan of Chris Edmonds’ thought leadership. Having reviewed his book The Culture Engine and interviewed him , I’m always up for reading his insights. Now he’s back with his latest book, Good Comes First: How Today’s Leaders Create an Uncompromising Company Culture. He’s partnered with Mark Babbitt, co-author of A World Gone Social: How Companies Must Adapt to Survive to write a much-needed guidebook for leaders who are road-weary from nearly two years of pandemic upheaval,

Video Recruiting 143

Video Recruiting Interview Software Coaching Company 143

The People Equation

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

When Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner wrote their now-classic book “The Leadership Challenge”, a foundational piece of their research focused on leaders as role models. In the authors’ article Model the Way , they write, “Exemplary leaders know that it’s their behavior that earns them respect. The real test is whether they do what they say; whether their words and deeds are consistent.

Study 289

Study Examples Report Course 289