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.

In a recent article by the Wall Street Journal, they asked five luminaries what the best advice is that they’ve ever received from a boss. This advice is applicable to most professionals.  It’s not new, but they are good reminders that have held true over time.

The concept of conducting weekly employee surveys is somewhat unique.  Most organizations conduct an annual, quarterly, or at times, monthly employee survey.  But I recently read an article about how Google will soon be surveying their employees weekly versus monthly, so I looked into the concept of a weekly employee survey.

Creating an effective office design is crucial for productivity and comfort. Over the pandemic many remote employees threw together “temporary” workspaces in their home.  But with so many people now working remotely on a more permanent basis, I like the following tips I found in the Wall Street Journal recently for optimizing your workspace:

According to a recent study, employees who exhibit high levels of agreeableness are gaining more appreciation from their colleagues and managers. Shockingly, in past studies, agreeableness did not affect teamwork or organizational success in the workplace, but today, it does.

I have always been fascinated by psychology.  In fact, my undergraduate degree is in psychology and sociology. But being a remarkable leader doesn't necessitate having a degree in psychology.

Earlier this month ASE released the results of our 2023 Workplace Flexibility Survey, and to no surprise, a majority of employers offer some form of remote or hybrid work. This new way of working necessitates that employers develop solutions to the challenges hybrid and remote work present.

For over 500 years, Finland has embraced a concept known as "sisu," a way of living that has become deeply embedded in its culture. Sisu encompasses the essence of determination and fortitude while facing adversity and seemingly insurmountable challenges with unwavering grit and courage.

Do you ever feel like time is moving faster than it ever has? You’re not alone. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal says that most of us experience time going faster as we get older. But today people of all ages feel that way.

In recent years, mental health has become a priority for employers. Numerous companies are introducing additional personal days for their employees to specifically address stressful events occurring outside of the workplace. In addition to these personal days, they are also implementing companywide mental health days.

I am an avid reader.  So far this year I’ve read 16 books – all fiction. So, when I came across an article on Inc.com that reading fiction improves your memory, I was pleasantly surprised.

In today's competitive business landscape, companies must find innovative ways to incentivize and reward employees in order to remain competitive in order to both attract and retain employees. We have all seen articles on recruitment and retention strategies, but it is sometimes good to be reminded.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal does not necessarily showcase anything new, but it does serve as a reminder to all of us. It was a good reminder for three important...

As layoffs are starting to increase, HR departments face an important dilemma: What is the most effective and humane approach to letting employees go? An article in the Wall Street Journal recently outlined six key questions to consider when facing layoffs.

Lately my memory fails me more than I’d like to admit. So, when I came across an article in Fast Company about how to train your brain to improve your memory, it piqued my interest. The article contains tips from memory coach, Dave Farrow, who is also a two-time Guinness World Record holder for most decks of cards remembered after just one look.