Make Anti-Harassment Training Fun
HR is full of sensitive topics, and anti-harassment is a big one. It’s absolutely necessary, but how do you introduce it without people starting to whisper about who did what to bring this on? You want to train your team without feeling like you’re turning into a big corporation. So how do you do it? When should you start training […]
5 Ways to Give Your Team an Energy Boost
As we power through our day-to-day work, we can sometimes lose steam in the monotony or intensity of tasks. Even when teams are succeeding, it’s nice to reward people with a little something extra. As leaders, it’s important to remember to recognize our teams, not only for their productivity, but also to keep them engaged […]
Hard Conversations: When to Have Them, Why It’s So Hard, and How to Prepare
Unless you employ a team of robots, it’s only natural that sometimes there’s conflict in your workplace. That conflict can only be resolved by conducting difficult conversations, sometimes one-on-one, other times with an entire group or between groups. While you can’t avoid hard conversations, there are ways to minimize the pain by being more thoughtful […]
Seattle HR Collective: Shannon Anderson of Madrona Talks Goals for Talent Strategy and Moving Beyond Order Taking
The energy was buzzing at the last Seattle HR Collective MeetUp, the fourth in a series of monthly meetups featuring top Seattle area HR leaders. The meetups have a goal of elevating the status and impact of the Recruiting and Human Resources in the Seattle area. Word must be spreading because the turnout last […]
Networking for Introverts
I’ve seen many introverts shy away from the idea of networking, believing it’s centered on self-promotion and asking for favors. In fact, I find that introverts make some of the best networkers, because when we do build relationships they tend to be based on mutual admiration and respect, are genuine, and lasting. Here’s what I’ve seen work […]
Diversity Best Practices: How to Bring Diversity and Inclusion to Your Organization
In today’s world, more and more companies are embracing diversity and inclusion to strengthen their teams, their culture and their bottom line. Earlier this year, Forbes cited a report providing evidence that diverse teams produce greater profitability. So, if you’re an HR professional at an organization that wants to increase inclusion, where do you start? […]
Rewards and Recognition: How to Show Appreciation to Your Team
Ensuring employees feel valued for their achievements isn’t just an exercise in kindness—it’s also crucial to the health of the organization, as it enhances trust in leadership and increases productivity. So, what’s the easiest way to show appreciation to your employees? There’s no one right answer, but we’ll explore several ways that have proven effective. […]
5 Common Mistakes Leaders Make When Onboarding New Hires
It’s exciting to grow a team. Adding employees can improve every aspect of your organization, from efficiency to morale. When you find the right person for the job, it’s a win-win you’ll celebrate for the life of their career with you. Unfortunately, starting a new job can feel more like an initiation than a celebration […]
When should you Invest in Management & Leadership Training?
Like a beloved schoolteacher, the memory of a great boss can stay with you for a lifetime. The way they motivated you, brought out the best of your talent and helped you reach your greatest potential. Alternately, you’ll never forget the leader who prevented you from reaching your professional goals. Whether they lacked coaching skills […]
You Don’t Have to Hate HR Anymore – Here’s Why
I came by HR honestly since both of my parents are employment lawyers, on the plaintiff’s side. Early in my career, I worked with a business leader who did little to hide the disdain he felt for his HR Manager. His reasons, he told me, were simple: “She says no to everything I ask for, […]
