Workplace Communication

If you think about it, the whole process of starting with learning the basics of any discipline and methodically working your way up to some level of mastery makes sense for undertakings far beyond Boy Scout merit badges.  It led me to consider, “If there were a merit badge for organizational leadership, what would the requirements be?”

Two former Dow Jones executives have launched a business that hires economically disadvantaged single mothers and provides them with child care coverage and career development training. The organization’s founders call Moms and Jobs, or MoJo, “a social venture in a for-profit vehicle.”

Q. A supervisor recently asked if he was allowed to accept a subordinate’s “friend” request on Facebook. How should we advise our supervisors?

Depending on our personal history, values, beliefs, language and culture, we bring a unique perspective to the workplace. Our perspective is what creates the stories we use to justify our behavior for taking or not taking action. These same stories explain our successes and failures and how we deal with others.

Employers operate in an increasingly complex legal environment, made all the more difficult by the tough economy. Hiring has emerged as a particular trouble spot. You need to hire and maintain a skilled and productive workforce, but you must watch out for legal liability that can surface in the process.

Some findings about folks who look on the sunny side, adapted from “Why It’s Smart to Be Optimistic”:

If it’s common for your employees to text for business reasons, remind them to keep their professionalism intact. Business communications trainer Barbara Pachter offers these suggestions:

As people grapple with the urge to put things off, economists and psychologists have turned the study of procrastination into a significant field. And what have they discovered? That each of us is divided. If that’s true, simply trying harder to beat procrastination isn’t going to work. Here’s what will:

Between vague agendas and never-ending PowerPoints, meetings have become a waste of time for many. Here’s how some experts structure their huddles to make them productive and run smoothly:

Motivation comes in three flavors: power, affiliation and achievement. So do bosses. Know which motivator drives your boss—and what he or she really wants—to be more successful on the job.