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Archive for November, 2009
I've Got a Tiger by the Tail: The Whirlwind Tale of Tiger Woods and His Inability to Stay Out of the Trees
Nov 30
[Photo credit: The Underlord]
Do you know why Tiger Woods didn’t make the cut in a tournament last weekend? He couldn’t drive. Ba-da-boom. Don’t forget to tip your waiter.
I read a couple of terrific articles from communicator about what Tiger should do. Avoiding the issue isn’t among the advice.
Here’s a couple of good reads:
This just in: Tiger Woods isn’t perfect! And his PR team isn’t either by Steve Crescenzo at corporate hallucinations.
I’m hiding behind my finger by Fran Melmed at free range communication.
Everyone Hates Role Playing
Nov 30
[Photo credit: Cinefrance]
Note to my friends in Learning & Development: No one, and I mean no one, likes role playing during training. Let me rephrase that — employees hate it.
I know, you were taught in your pedagogy class that experiential learning imprints the lesson. Lemme let you in a little secret — forget that. Employees cringe when they see there’s role playing during training. Do you ever wonder why your class participation drops off when it’s time for them to channel their inner Stanislavski?
Here’s an idea: Teach. But know you’re no Lee Strasberg and don’t have an aspiring Marlon Brando in your class.
Have You Thanked Your Coworkers Lately?
Nov 25In the spirit of Thanksgiving, KnowHR is taking a twist today on the typical around-the-table discussion question: “What are you thankful for?”
We asked Philadelphia area workers to recall a time at work when coworkers showed them appreciation or gratitude. Check out their most memorable at-work moments, then feel free to share your own. (We promise we won’t make you give a toast, too.)
With flowers
“It’s one thing to get flowers for your birthday, but it’s Thanksgiving you just don’t think about sending flowers to people, so it was something different,” said Wendy, a 54-year-old analyst.
With gas cards
Khalil, a 35-year-old doorman, said that during the SEPTA strike, he organized a carpool to pick up coworkers and bring them to work. To show their thanks, a lot of them gave him their own gas cards they had received during the strike. “They didn’t have to do that, they could have given them to their friends and family. When you do good, it comes back.”
With a bottle of Dom Perignon
“In an extreme situation, I did get a bottle of Dom Perignon when I signed on for my first job in business consulting,” said Eric, 33, who now works as a director of technology.
With group meals
“They’re having Thanksgiving dinner for us and they’re having raffles,” said Terry, 54, a compression operator who will be working on Thanksgiving. “You always need a pat on the back somehow.”
With money
“My boss really appreciated some of the programs I set up this year, so he actually just gave me a really nice bonus and a significant raise,” said Rod, 47, a safety manager.
With food
“We treat each other to lunch or breakfast,” said William, 50, a construction site officer. “They give me a lot of love and respect. We’re all one big happy family on the site.”
With praise
“It’s really hard to say because both of my bosses thank me all the time for work that I do,” said Elizabeth, 39, a secretary. “It does make me feel good,” Elizabeth added. “Being a secretary is normally a thankless job.”
Have you thanked your coworkers today? When you notice the little things at work, others do, too.
Do You Have Beautiful Policies?
Nov 24
[Eames Chair | Photo credit: Numstead]
Have nothing in your house that
you do not know to be useful,
or believe to be beautiful.
- William Morris
The words of William Morris work well for HR policies. That means taking a long, hard look at what you do and asking why. Would you be proud to talk about your policies — all of them — in front of your grandmother? If not, keep what’s beautiful and useful, and discard the rest.
*********************
Some questions come to mind:
- Could you imagine a competition for the best policies?
- Have you ever seen anyone present “the coolest new trends in HR policies” at SHRM, WorldatWork, NASPP or any other conference?
- Why don’t we have a job that’s the Interior Designer for HR Policies? Most policies, I’m afraid, are written by amateurs.
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