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Since childhood, we have all been raised by the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Many would cite this ethical code as one of their aspirations by which to live, both personally and professionally. The problem with the Golden Rule? It implies the basic assumption that other people would like to be treated the way that you would like to be treated. As a leader, consider instead operating by the Platinum Rule: "Treat others the way they want to be treated." The Platinum Rule accommodates the desires of others, and shifts the focus from "this is what I would want, so I will treat everyone the [...]

Offices everywhere are full of eager employees poised for fresh starts! There is recharged enthusiasm for conquering previously unconquerable projects. Time with family and friends has allowed for the creation of elaborate dreams to assist in the accomplishment of elaborate goals. In corporations around the world, the New Year brings a revived optimism for all of mankind. Amongst all of this joy and good cheer looms a rarely talked about issue that can wreak havoc on an organization…there are two times per year when individuals ponder the concept of a career change. One of those times? You guessed it.  The New Year. The War for Talent In most industries, the days of the [...]

For many, pending deadlines and packed schedules are not overwhelming, but instead can be a driving force that pushes them toward greater productivity. We have processes to streamline, goals to achieve, promotions to earn, debt to eliminate, exercise regimes to master, dreams to chase, and people to help and inspire. The “I work best under pressure” mantra environment creates a Catch-22;  we get frustrated with ongoing stress, but perform at the highest level of effectiveness and efficiency when under the exact stress we try to escape. For some, busyness can be reassuring; a feeling of constant forward-motion and accomplishment is much preferred over being stagnant or empty. That reassurance can come with an [...]

As we approach the mid-year point, hours of daylight increase, outdoor activities and vacations are abundant, yet the demands at the office do not wane. The subject of providing an environment for work-life balance often resurfaces during the summer, but the topic is one that should be addressed on an ongoing basis within an organization. Numerous management consulting companies have performed exhaustive research in this area and have found that over 40% of employees claim they do not have suitable work/life balance, and more than one in four dissatisfied employees plans to leave their employer within the next two years. The Definition of Balance There are many articles and books written about finding [...]