Could You Hire This Man?

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 17, 2007 

?Imagine?your luck.? Bill Gates has applied for the open project manager position within your division.?? During your interview, he?explains that he’s a little bored with the philanthropic life so he thought he’d head back into the corporate world.? Thrilled with your luck; you ask very?few questions before offering him the job.? You agree to a […]

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An Apology to My Seven Bosses – On National Bosses Day

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 16, 2007 

Having left the corporate world over 10 years ago, I believe I have enough distance and insight on the situation to offer a formal apology. Former bosses – I’m sorry.? My zest for achievement combined with my uninhibited extroversion likely made your?job as my manager?less than comfortable. I’m also sorry that the organizations for which […]

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What Values Does Your Talent Management System Telegraph?

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 14, 2007 

Despite what the corporate values statement on your website says, your organization?s actions speak louder than your lofty words.? I have seen very few sane-making talent management systems.? How many talent management systems reflect the following value set??? Employees are inherently broken and must be motivated, bribed, and coerced into giving their best. Although our […]

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Looking for Leaders – No Personality Required

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 12, 2007 

Leadership: the ability to set purpose or direction for others and then get them to move along in that direction with competence and full commitment –Elliott Jaques. Within organizations, leadership is an accountability of all managers. Leadership ability could fall into the hands of an intuitive, a senser, an extrovert, an introvert, a thinker, a […]

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We Don’t Work for Companies; We Work for Managers

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 11, 2007 

?Managers trump companies,? states First, Break All the Rules. Company reputation aside, as far as employees are concerned, one bad manager spoils the job. Despite perks and generous benefits, an employee?s relationship with her immediate manager will determine how long she stays and how productive she is. What do we want from managers? (A recap […]

Filed Under Corporate Values, Employee Engagement, Executive Leadership, Managerial Leadership, Organization Design, Requisite Organization, Talent Management | 2 Comments

Misguided Motivation Attempts – Put Down that Carrot and that Stick and that Hot Dog

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 10, 2007 

Human beings are pre-programmed to be motivated to work. We, as a society, agree that bullying is not the way to motivate employees, although some managers resort to it. So, no question, the stick is out. But is the carrot all it?s held up to be? Instead of casual Fridays and employee picnics, why not […]

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A Slack Attack Against Bullying Bosses

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 9, 2007 

I had a high-spirited boss at my first “real?job” out of college.? She?bullied me?when I underperformed, but was elaborately appreciative when I went the extra mile.??Her favorite bullying technique was public humiliation.? She seemed to revel in bellowing statements at me such as, “If this is all you’ve got, you’ll never amount to *&% anything.”? […]

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Our Superstitious Fear of Hierarchy

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 8, 2007 

Superstitions develop in the absence of knowledge.? When people lack understanding, they can give cause and effect status to items simply related by time and space.? If enough people repeat it, it becomes truth. I saw a black cat today and then broke my arm. B lack cats are bad luck. I work in a […]

Filed Under Employee Engagement, Organization Design, Requisite Organization | 2 Comments

Employee Performance and Promotion Myths

By Michelle Malay Carter on October 4, 2007 

?Employees should be promoted based on contribution.? ?Jim Stroup, Managing Leadership Blog* Not many would argue with that statement, but I am going to take a shot at it. Employee Performance Myths Employees should be promoted based on contribution. FALSE. High potential means high performance. FALSE. Employee Performance Truisms 1. Employees should be promoted not […]

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Is Micromanagement Inherent or Contexual?

By Michelle Malay Carter on September 27, 2007 

Chuck at I Hate Your Job had this to say about micromanagement: Have you ever stopped to consider why some bosses seem to be in love with micromanaging their employees? If so, then here?s your answer: They are incapable of managing in any other way. I offer that one person’s micromanager is another’s dream boss. […]

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