I used to work for a woman named Linda, who reported to a woman named Lisa. I didn’t care for Linda too much, and I cared even less for Lisa. I thought … Read more
Disincentives and Deterrents, or How to Avoid Rewarding Bad Behavior
Amid all the buzz about perverse incentives that backfire, lessons about punishments that reward undesirable performance should be shared, too. A former … Read more
New Year, Same Stuff: 10 Things I Hope Companies Stop Doing in 2014
Yes, it’s 2014, and here is my New Year’s list. A drum roll, please … 1. Begrudging employees for all they “take” As a parent, I’d be … Read more
When Bullying Turns Into Mobbing, Everyone in the Workplace Loses
An extraordinarily dimwitted New York business owner will have to shell out at least $250,000 for hurling the n-word at his employee during a reported … Read more
It’s Not Just the NFL – Hazing Probably Happens in Your Workplace, Too
If you follow sports, especially NFL football, you haven’t been able to get away from the nonstop coverage of the hazing issue that took place with the … Read more
Creativity Through Abuse? It’s Simply the Dark Side of Leadership
I came across this article from Pacific Standard magazine the other day and thought it was discussion worthy – and certainly a little controversial. And, … Read more
So, What Will YOU Do When Your Employee Lies to You?
Lying is one of those odd things in life — everyone lies to everyone, but no one likes to be lied to. This gets even weirder in the workplace, because it’s … Read more
The Importance of Eliminating Bad Behavior That Damages Your Culture
“Ron, you know someone needs to talk to XXX because he does not know how to talk to people. He is so rude.” The other gentleman in my office said, … Read more
Not Hiring Jerks Is a Workplace Trend I’m All in Favor Of
You know it and I know it, so it is hardly worth stating again, but there are a lot of jerks in this world. This isn’t any great revelation. … Read more
Dealing With Office Jerks: Stop Them Now Before Their Behavior Gets You
How is it that office jerks are inescapable, insufferable, and even injurious? Just when we thought dealing with Michael — our chauvinistic 40-something … Read more