Friends, Here's To You!

I was eating lunch with Sharlyn Lauby last month (time flies!) at a summit we attended. Although I wanted her all to myself, networking was the theme of the day so we were joined by two other summit attendees.

Very quickly, the conversation turned to blogging, Twitter and the like. Our lunch buddies didn't blog nor had they tried Twitter. Why not? The reasons (er, excuses!) included not enough time, lack of understanding, preference for face to face meetings, and more. Sharlyn and I were asked why we used the social media tools we did.

I started to launch into my Social Media in HR spiel and before long, Sharlyn very succintly, politely, and impactfully said, "I'm talking with my friends."

Yup, that about sums it up for me too. So friends, here's to you!

Photocredit iStockphoto

Give Thanks

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Give thanks to those in your hearts from near and far who share your table throughout the year.

What are you thankful for?

HR Carnival of Global Giving

What started out, quite simply, as an effort to do something a little different with the Carnival concept for the holiday season grew very quickly into this - the HR Carnival of Global Giving.  

Mike VanDervort is the mastermind behind this generous and inspiring effort and he takes the prize with 77, yes 77, post submissions.

The end result is not only a record breaking carnival but a very generous donation to a selected charity. Mike has not selected the charity yet or calculated the exact amount of final donations but some lucky charity is going to get several hundred dollars from a wonderful group of generous folks.

Check out the link and consider contributing to the cause or a charity of your choice. What a great way to start the holiday season.

Photo credit iStockphoto

Card Carrying Supervisors Take Heed

 

Leadership is not easy, nor is supervision. But neither is as hard as some make it out to be. If you are a supervisor, take a few minutes to read through the questions below. Think about them and answer honestly.

• Do you counsel employees over email?
• Do you have to "win" employee discussions?
• When asked why, do you respond, "because I can?"
• Do you view employee questions as challenges to you ego? 
• Do you expect your support people to "read your mind" in regards to work expectations?
• Do you look past behaviors because addressing them is a bit "uncomfortable" for you?
• Do you hold back information because members of your staff just "don’t need to know?"
• Are your performance reviews consistently late?
• Do you engage in shouting matches with you staff?
• Do you take this stuff personally?!

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, stop that right now. Supervisors, this is not about you. It is about helping others to succeed, to make the goal, to achieve the mission. It's about addressing problems head-on and making the tough decisions. It's about not making it personal. Does this make sense to you? Do you see the possibility? Do you see that there may be another way? If you do, then BRAVO to you.

If you don't, reach into your wallet, your purse, or your top desk draw and pull out your supervisor card. Hold it out. I'm coming by to collect it. Now.

Photo credit iStockphoto