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Words on Wise Management

The Importance of Proper Preparation

Just as a good chef carefully prepares all aspects of a meal before plating each dish, successful HR professionals carefully map out every aspect of a task before executing it. In fact, HR professionals are probably some of the most well-prepared individuals in an organization—or at least they should be.

Oh, Snap! How Abrupt Judgments Affect Leader Decision Making

While we like to think of ourselves as rational leaders, we often make quick decisions based on in­accurate perceptions and mental errors. Decision makers need to be particularly mindful of the limits on rationality because their judgments affect people’s careers.

Why Can't I Wear My Nikes?

Recently, a friend called me wondering if her employer could ban Nike apparel at work following the Colin Kaepernick “Just Do It” ad campaign controversy. In the midst of this much politicized time, a photo of a sign outside an unknown employer’s business informing employees of its new zero-tolerance policy banning any Nike apparel from the workplace went viral on social media. Many employees are now asking, “Can my employer really ban me from wearing a brand that I like?”

Should you ban a brand at work?

Is Your HR Department The Police or A Partner?

Close your eyes and picture your current HR staff. Does your HR department function as a stra­tegic partner or as a police force? Do they spend their time addressing people who aren’t meeting the dreaded dress code, who can’t get along with others, or who are always late? Are they continually pushing to grab the seemingly unattainable “seat at the execu­tive table”?

Happy Anniversary, FLSA

On June 25, 2018, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) turned 80 years old! I didn’t notice much fanfare or celebrating. Did you? Remember, just two years ago many of us were frantically implementing new pay policies as the deadline loomed for implementation of the “new and improved” FLSA overtime regulations.

It seems like the FLSA hasn’t gotten much attention since November 2016, when the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule was put on ice by a federal judge. The national conversation about minimum wage has not diminished, however.

'Peanut Butter' Salary Administration Spreads Mediocrity

In this article, Joel Myers discusses the changing landscape of salary administration and using other variables to ignite your workforce.

Will Implicit Bias Training Work for Your Organization?

Starbucks recently closed more than 8,000 com­pany-owned stores for one day to conduct implicit bias training in response to a viral video that showed two African-American men being arrested for tres­passing at one of its Philadelphia stores. Starbucks also announced that its new training curriculum, de­signed by several national experts, will be available to other companies for use with employees and leader­ship. Implicit bias training has become increasingly widespread after several highly publicized incidents of racial profiling. But is the training effective?

Blinded By Bias

We work diligently to keep our organizations safe by creating policies and handbooks, training manag­ers on how to appropriately handle issues related to discrimination and harassment, and employing law­yers to review everything. Yet, we still have problems. Not only do we have problems, but many times, we don’t even recognize them when they are right in front of our face. Even worse, there are times we can’t recognize issues when they are pointed out to us.

When in Japan

The Toothpaste Can't Go Back in the Tube

I recently watched a preschool teacher deliver a message on “Words that Hurt.” The teacher creatively used a tube of toothpaste and a paper plate per student for this hands-on activity. I watched 12 small children eagerly squeeze the entire contents of a tube of toothpaste onto a paper plate, giggling as their plates filled up with minty fresh goo and their little hands became sticky disasters. Then they were asked to put the toothpaste back in the tube! Not only was the task frustrating to the students, but it was also obviously impossible to achieve.

Upholding the Psychological Employment Contract

Do you realize that every one of us has a psychological contract with our organization? The psychological contract is a concept that describes the understandings, beliefs, and commitments that exist between an employee and an employer. Although it is unwritten and intangible, it represents the mutual expectations that are felt between the two. The psychological contract is strengthened (or weakened) by each party’s perception of the employment relationship. It is formed through daily interactions between colleagues, managers, and the organization.

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