We've all experienced a meeting where the leader poses a question, and suddenly, there's an awkward silence. Time seems to slow down, and the silence becomes uncomfortable. This scenario is common in many work environments, but how a leader handles it can greatly impact team morale and the overall sense of psychological safety. Simon Sinek’s podcast series, A Spark of Optimism!, recently gave some great insight into how silence can be golden.

I was inspired to create a “chuck-it list” after attending a thought-provoking presentation last week. We’ve all heard of bucket lists—those aspirations we carry, dreams we want to accomplish, and milestones we aim to reach. Bucket lists inspire us to set goals, push limits, and explore the world. While we eagerly plan what to add to our lives, how often do we stop to think about what we need to remove? Enter the "chuck-it list."

AI has become a staple in the workplace for many, although depending on comfort level and job type, the usage varies. Slack surveyed over 5,000 full-time desk workers across the U.S., Australia, India, Singapore, Ireland, and the U.K. in August. Based on the responses, they categorized employees into five AI personas and provided recommendations for employers to engage each group. Which group do you fall into?

Earlier this week as I was browsing LinkedIn, I came across a great story from Harvard Business Review on making joy a priority at work.  Joy is an intrinsic human desire that connects people more powerfully than almost any other experience. When employees experience joy at work, they are more engaged, motivated, and productive. Unfortunately, while 90% of employees expect to feel joy at work, only 37% actually do. We as leaders can change that.

As I was browsing through one of ASE’s member exclusive tools, CCH AnwsersNow, I came across a new Deloitte report that reveals an interesting emerging trend: human sustainability. The report, developed in collaboration with independent research firm Workplace Intelligence, highlights a growing demand for companies to prioritize the well-being, development, and inclusivity of their workforce, a concept encapsulated in the term "human sustainability."

As we have long known, employees leave bosses, not organizations. A Gallup poll of over a million U.S. workers found that 75% of people who voluntarily quit their jobs did so because of their boss.

Today's world presents significant challenges: inflation, pandemics, conflicts, and work trends such as the Great Resignation. Positive psychology in the workplace enables individuals, groups, and organizations to thrive. This is particularly crucial in today's climate, as retaining top talent has become increasingly important.

When seeking qualified talent, employers often put too strong of an emphasis on a college degree, while overlooking important skills acquired through alternative routes, known as “STARs” – skilled through alternative routes.  One of those alternative routes is apprenticeships.

June is Men’s Mental Health month.  Mental health has become a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing. For employers, recognizing the importance of mental health in the workplace is not just an ethical obligation but a strategic one. Healthy employees are the backbone of a thriving business, and mental wellbeing is integral to their productivity, creativity, and engagement.

RSQE, a modeling and forecasting unit that has been in operation at the University of Michigan since 1952, released Michigan’s economic forecast for 2024-2025 last month. I was happy to see that they predict steady job growth, low unemployment, and continued progress toward lower inflation.

It’s become apparent that AI is here to stay, so we might as well embrace it. Although, ASE recently surveyed Michigan employers and it revealed that that only a quarter of Michigan employers are currently using or planning to implement AI in HR, with significant concerns about reliability, data privacy, and bias.

Generation Z—those individuals born between 1997 and 2012 (ages 12-27)-—are rapidly becoming a substantial fraction of the workforce, predicted to account for over a quarter of all workers by 2025. Despite their increasing numbers, there is a notable gap in effectively understanding and integrating the unique attributes of Gen Z into today’s workplace environments, often posing a challenge to managers.

McKinsey Health Institute recently conducted a study on the effect of toxic workplaces and how they affect employees. They talked to nearly 15,000 employees and 1,000 HR decision-makers across 15 different countries. Toxic workplace behavior stood out as the primary catalyst for negative employee outcomes, such as burnout and the desire to quit.

Over the past several years, I’ve noticed a considerable shift in how people treat each other in everyday society.  I’ve seen many more personal attacks and a general lack of respect for others’ beliefs or feelings. In the past, these thoughts were kept private, but in recent times it seems everyone feels compelled to lash out at others with no remorse. It seems to go beyond “Survival of the Fittest” to “Survival of the Meanest.”

In our fast-paced digital era, where face-to-face interactions are increasingly rare, the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics is more crucial than ever. Yet, many professionals find themselves lacking the essential people skills needed to effectively manage stress, maintain positive relationships, and prevent conflicts from escalating. At the heart of these capabilities lies emotional intelligence.

The concept of work-life balance has become a cornerstone of discussions surrounding mental health, productivity, and overall well-being. However, amidst the plethora of advice on achieving this delicate equilibrium, one aspect often overlooked is the individuality of work-life balance. What works for one person may not necessarily work for another.

Effective leadership hinges on the ability to navigate difficult conversations with grace and proficiency. While nobody enjoys difficult conversations, they can provide opportunities for growth and progress within teams and organizations when handled correctly. Leaders who can adeptly engage in tough discussions foster a culture of transparency, trust, and collaboration. By addressing issues head-on, they prevent unresolved conflicts from festering and potentially derailing projects or...

In an era where most of our daily interactions with others, like clients, colleagues, bosses, and even family members, often feel impersonal due to technology, and where our jobs are streamlined for maximum efficiency, it's understandable that many employees sense a loss of their innate creativity, curiosity, and humanity.

Return to office efforts are starting to wane.  Just 6 out of 158 CEOs in the United States have indicated their intent to prioritize the return of employees to full-time office work in 2024, according to a recent survey conducted by The Conference Board.

I’ve noticed a theme in 2024 – it seems to be about manifesting more for yourself and creating abundance in your life. Manifesting more for your professional life in 2024 involves not just wishful thinking, but a deliberate and focused approach to turning your ambitions into reality.

Do you multitask? Multitasking might seem like a way to boost productivity, but in reality, it reduces it.  According to psychologist Gerald Weinberg, multitasking can actually slash productivity by up to 80%.

Last week we announced to our members that announce that the Employers Association of West Michigan (EA) will merge into the American Society of Employers (ASE) effective January 1, 2024. This is an important milestone for our organization, and we believe it will bring numerous benefits to all of our members. 

They say money can’t buy happiness – but can it? I think we can all agree, it sure helps! According to a new financial happiness survey by Empower, 59% of Americans agree that money can buy happiness, and the price tag is apparently $1.2 million.

One of the latest trends in the workforce is overemployment, a trend in which people hold multiple full-time positions.  This is beyond moonlighting with a small, part-time job.  It’s as extreme as someone holding two, sometimes three full-time positions – meaning they are “on the clock” for multiple employers at once - unbeknownst to the employers.

In the past year, the AI market has experienced significant growth. Beyond ChatGPT, Google introduced its Chatbot, Bard, in March 2023, and other companies such as monday.com and Wix have integrated comparable technology into their current product frameworks. A tech.co article recently outlined some statistics regarding AI that I found interesting and important to know.