HR Connection blog

To learn more, please join us on Tuesday April 14th at 1:00 EST (10:00 PST) for a Live Webinar with Val Grubb. This webinar is valid for 1 PDC toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification and has been pre-approved by HRCI for 1 HR (General) recertification credit hour. Click here to register.

  When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute. —Simon Sinek   No matter what size their departments are and how far removed they are from the CEO’s office, all managers are responsible for defining the missions and goals of their departments (preferably keeping them in line with the overall missions and goals of their companies). By rewarding employees who successfully help a department accomplish its goals (often by achieving their own individual goals), leaders reinforce what is valued in—or even required by—a job.

One of the best things you can do for your career is learn how to be a great communicator. After all, if you’re unable to get your point across in a way that inspires others to take action, how can your HR initiatives (or your career) possibly succeed? In any workplace conversation—whether it’s with a direct report, a peer, or the boss’s boss—effective communication skills are what distinguishes a good employee from a great leader.

  Everyone’s talking about workplace diversity today, and for good reason: when you expand the range of perspectives, experiences, and characteristics of your team, you also extend your reach toward innovation and overall excellence. But gender and ethnicity dominate many of the discussions about diversity–and companies need to start talking more about an age diverse workplace as well. Let’s play a quick round of the game “Three Truths and a Lie.” Which three of the following four statements are true–and which one is false?

Managing employees can be one of your most challenging–and also most rewarding–responsibilities as you move up within a company. When your management works and you see your employees surpass even their own expectations, it's wildly exciting and incredibly fulfilling!