Archive for August, 2012

The American Dream

The businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The businessman complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while. The businessman then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support ...
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28
AUG
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Developing Better Emotional Intelligence: Part 1

In the drive for results, sometimes we don’t focus enough on our work relationships.  This is one facet of  emotional intelligence (EQ): how we manage ourselves and interact with others.  We know that once you have the skills and knowledge to perform your job, EQ is a key to business success. Are you the hard-driving analytical type, very intelligent and well-educated, who does not connect well with your employees?  Or has your reaction to constant stress at work and home ...

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28
AUG
0

Some Thoughts on Careers and Life

Over twenty years ago I resigned my job and announced my intention to move to another
state to pursue an MBA. What surprised me was the number of people  who approached me to tell me about their lost dreams: to go to law school, to move to another area of the country, to get another job. One person, quoting Thoreau, stated that I was moving ahead while leaving behind others who were ” leading lives of  quiet desperation.” It was then ...

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13
AUG
0

Grading on a Curve: Does it Work?

Forced or stacked ranking is a performance evaluation  method where managers grade on a curve. Remember that from your school days? Even if you did “B” work, you may be at the bottom of the ranking if most everyone else did “A” work. In the August issue of Vanity Fair, the author identifies Microsoft’s forced ranking evaluation process as one HR policy that  contributed to it’s decline. See: “How Microsoft Lost Its Mojo: Steve Ballmer and Corporate America’s Most Spectacular Decline”.

This ...

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7
AUG
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