Human Resources

Demonstrating Discretion

2024-08-31T15:33:21-05:00September 18th, 2024|Tags: , , |

Sam was frustrated with his job and struggling with his role. He and his boss agreed that he would transition to a new role that seemed to be a better fit. Although Sam was grateful for the opportunity, it was still a major change. He processed it by posting his thoughts on an anonymous on-line blog.  Unfortunately, his boss heard ...

Needed Soft Skills

2024-08-24T11:21:12-05:00September 4th, 2024|Tags: , , |

In the Kendrick Brothers new movie, The Forge, a young man named Isaiah is mentored by his new boss. Early in the movie, Isaiah’s boss notes that Isaiah doesn’t know how to properly shake hands.  Later, the CEO teaches Isaiah to shake hands firmly while looking his new acquaintance in the eyes. Many employers express a growing concern that many ...

Heavy Handed Employers

2024-08-24T10:46:59-05:00September 2nd, 2024|Tags: , , |

Unfortunately, our nation’s history includes seasons when laborers have been abused and oppressed. In the 1880s that was the case as the railroad barons required laborers to work on average 60 hours a week.  When one individual feels they’re being abused, it’s hard for that one person to individually overcome their employer’s demands. But when abused workers stand collectively, they ...

Pay Inequities

2024-08-09T11:10:17-05:00August 29th, 2024|Tags: , , |

Decades ago, Max De Pree the former CEO of Herman Miller, walked in on a conversation his employees were having about the size of De Pree's pay. They challenged him about the huge disparity between his compensation and the average worker at Herman Miller. From that discussion Max's established a policy that the CEO compensation could not exceed twenty ...

The 4 Cs of Hiring: Part V

2024-08-09T11:14:19-05:00August 23rd, 2024|Tags: , , |

Wayne, the son of a professional football owner, shared his story at a conference I attended about the importance of hiring those with whom you have a good chemistry. His father had narrowed down a hiring decision between two great candidates for a key position within his football organization. But he was having trouble deciding between the two candidates.  ...

The 4 Cs of Hiring: Part III

2024-08-09T11:18:51-05:00August 21st, 2024|Tags: , , |

In 2014, Amazon began a Pay-to-Quit program.  Annually, “fulfillment center” employees had the opportunity to quit and get paid up to $5,000.   This was Amazon’s attempt to address the importance of Calling, in what I call the “4 C’s of Hiring.” In addition to Character it’s important you hire those who are called, or feel passionate, about your company’s ...

The 4 Cs of Hiring: Part I

2024-08-09T11:22:37-05:00August 19th, 2024|Tags: , , |

One of the most basic problems in business is assuring we have the right people in the right positions.  Moses was “burned out” judging all the Israelite conflicts. His father-in-law, Jethro, gave him wise counsel in Exodus 18.   “Teach them (God’s) decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. ...

Tough Questions

2024-08-09T11:25:21-05:00August 14th, 2024|Tags: , , |

A friend of mine had history with a publicly traded company that had invested heavily in a DEI program. He believed their program was harming the business. He called a board member to ask a simple but profound question. “What problem were you trying to solve with this program?” The program has since been discontinued. Many businesses get caught ...

Workplace Stress Abounds

2024-08-09T11:30:41-05:00August 7th, 2024|Tags: , , |

According to a Gallup State of the Workplace 2023 survey, 44% of global employees experienced daily workplace stress in 2023. This was an all-time high for the second year in a row!  Worse yet, we have a growing mental health crisis leaving us short of psychiatrists and behavioral health professionals to care for our employees. Kathy and I recently ...

The Pain of 50/50 Partners

2024-08-09T11:41:40-05:00July 30th, 2024|Tags: , , |

Justin wanted to join the insurance industry, so he became 50/50 partners with an experienced insurance broker who claimed to also be a follower of Jesus. When Justin’s partner started violating the partner agreement and breaking the law, the situation became tense.   Unfortunately, in business, when there are only two equal partners you are bound together much like an ...

Go to Top