As the debt-crisis in Europe continues to unravel new leaders are taking over economies in desperate position and citizen populations wracked with worry. These leaders are saddled with the unenviable task of enacting fiscally responsible policies that can reduce spending while tempering the outrage of millions of unhappy people, many of which are unemployed and experiencing serious economic hardship. Read the rest of this article »

In a famous bit by Jerry Seinfeld the comedian claimed, “According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” Seinfeld was just fishing for laughs, but there’s a remarkable truth there that goes too often ignored in the business world. Read the rest of this article »

In recent years, more and more organizations have begun to explore the advantages of providing a flexible work environment. My colleague, Don MacPherson, wrote a blog series on the phenomenon back in early 2011, for a deeper look at what’s causing the trend and what organizations can do I would highly recommend reading it. But just this past week, the idea of tailoring a job and a workplace to the preferences of a specific employee has made headlines all over the world. Free agency began this past Tuesday in the National Football League. This is the time of the year when professional players with expiring contracts are first allowed to sign with new teams. What’s interesting is that this year there’s one player capable of completely transcending what talent recruitment looks like. Read the rest of this article »

I was in a dentist’s chair yesterday, on the stretch run of a two-hour-plus appointment when my dentist turned to her assistant and said, “I always hate this part.” She was talking about free-handing the permanent build-up/filling I had put in place in preparation for an eventual crown. Now, I get that it’s a difficult assignment. The little ring they put around my tooth to shape the filling wouldn’t quite hold still and so she had to artfully shape it herself. But I don’t want to hear, “I always hate this part.” I want to hear, “Luckily, I’m like a goddamn Michelangelo at this!” Read the rest of this article »

What makes a great leader? Some say confidence. Others say people skills. Some organizations hail innovators and creatives, others move the practical, calculated, high-IQ folks up the ladder. Whatever it is you value most in leaders, it’s important that you can articulate it. Only then can you measure it, develop it, and create an environment that grows high potentials into high performers. But don’t get so caught up in your definition that you lose the forest for the trees. Defining key competencies for your leaders is a good thing, but it’s important to realize these key competencies are not the only thing that matter. Read the rest of this article »

Oh, what amazing things people can do. Sometimes it’s hard to notice. Ever find yourself impressed by fellow commuters on the drive home from work? Chances are they’re all jerks. As the old George Carlin bit goes, anyone driving faster than you is a maniac; anyone driving slower is an idiot. But that sentiment is the product of a caustic environment, everybody is trying to get home and every other car on the road serves as an impediment, so we get judge-y. We can’t stand people. It’s hard to see their value. But one thing I’ve learned from the human capital measurement business is that when viewed in aggregate, the feedback you can get from individuals can provide astounding value. Read the rest of this article »

Timberwolves rookie point guard Ricky Rubio is an everyday discussion topic for basketball fans in Minnesota. Actually, the young Spanish wunderkind has been a hot topic for years, having turned pro over in Europe at the ripe age of 14, later starting in the gold medal game of the Olympics as a wide-eyed 17-year-old and ably holding his own against the ultimately victorious team of U.S. superstars. He’s young, good looking (in a mop-topped early Beatles sort of way), a charming interview (fluent in Spanish, Catalan and English), and he plays with considerable flair, particularly in his passing and ball-handling. But more than anything else, Rubio is a hot topic because his greatest strengths are passing the ball, seeing the floor, facilitating an offense, and generally playing team-oriented basketball, a definite anomaly in the ego-inflated world of the National Basketball Association. Rubio has almost single-handedly made a “pass-first mentality” cool again. Now if only he could fix the performance review. Read the rest of this article »

Time Magazine just announced their person of the year. Unlike most years, they didn’t choose a politician or a business leader or even a real person. The magazine chose to symbolically anoint “The Protestor.” Citing demonstrations from Arab Spring to Athens, Occupy Wall Street to Moscow, Time’s editorial staff deemed the concept of “The Protestor” to have had the single greatest impact on the world in 2011. And it’s tough to argue otherwise. Arab Spring has already directly resulted in four nations (Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen) undergoing forced regime change and protests like Occupy Wall Street have made a significant impact on the sociopolitical dialogue. No matter where you stand politically, it is undeniable that “The Protestor” is being seen, heard and responded to. And while a confluence of various social, political and economic issues have spurred these protestors on, it’s hard to ignore the role that the evolution of the internet and global connectivity has also played in making these events possible. Read the rest of this article »

Tim Tebow is a quarterback. He’s a terrible passer. By most measures, he’s the worst passer in the NFL. Some even say he’s the worst passer the NFL has ever seen at the position. His coach, his General Manager, analysts in the media, former quarterback greats, scouts, and people that know the position well will all tell you he has no business as a starting quarterback in professional football. But the undeniable truth is that Tim Tebow is a winner. That's the power of great leadership. Read the rest of this article »

Tomorrow is Election Day. I love Election Day. Some folks will try to tell you that your vote doesn’t count. You’re just one person and you can’t compete against powerful lobbyists, unions and well-coordinated voter blocs. Your vote doesn’t matter because you’re not from a critical district or a “swing state.” You don’t matter because it’s all about a demographic that you’re not a part of. Hogwash. Even if one vote won’t sway the results, my vote matters because it's mine and no one else's. Tomorrow I get to make my voice heard. Whether my leaders listen to it or act on it, I still get to hold the microphone, at least for a moment. That’s what democracy is all about; it’s a microphone for the little guy. Read the rest of this article »