What do you do when fear has you paralyzed and it’s preventing you from taking steps that your job demands? Most self-help gurus I’ve read would probably … Read more
The Complicated Dynamics Behind Workplace Bullying
I just didn’t want to go anymore. She made it nearly unbearable. It didn’t start off that way, though. When we first started working together as colleagues … Read more
Dying to Work, or Why Great Workplaces Are Healthy Workplaces
Work can be sickening. Literally. During an appearance at the recent Great Place to Work annual conference this month n New Orleans, Stanford business … Read more
Over the Line: Why Pressuring Employees to Donate Is a Bad Idea
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
Values Determine Corporate Culture
Every company has a culture — whether leaders shape it or not. Rather than simply letting culture happen on its own, wise leaders proactively plan … 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