The human brain is not programmed to multitask, according to Earl Miller, a neuroscience professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory. Miller says that what people think is multitasking is actually task-switching -- moving rapidly from one task to another -- and that this can impair creativity, increase the possibility for error and hurt work quality. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (5/8)
Have a Say in Your Own Professional Development Everyone learns differently. Why leave it to chance that training selected for you will actually meet your needs? Ensure your professional development fits your learning style, interests, schedule, and location. Explore SHRM Seminar topics, dates and virtual/online offerings.
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Recruiting & Retention
Enticing titles aid in talent search, retention Limited budgets have led job titles to jump as a tactic for hiring -- a leap from 35% in 2018 to 54% -- and retaining employees -- going from 27% to 37%, according to management advisory firm Pearl Meyer's survey of 400 private, public and not-for-profit organizations. Savvy companies know that, beyond pay, employees also are attracted to career development and a positive corporate culture, Pearl Meyer managing director Susan Sandlund says. Full Story: CIO Dive (5/8)
Overcoming Project Execution Challenges Outside talent makes up 45% of critical project teams today and that figure is expected to grow to 48% by 2024, according to global consulting firm RGP. Find out how companies are achieving project execution success amid increased disruption and a changing workforce in this whitepaper from RGP.
3 ways employers can win top talent Employers can win the best talent by incorporating artificial intelligence into recruitment processes, hiring and upskilling from within and blending both virtual and in-person interviews, advises HireVue CEO Anthony Reynolds. "Talent teams that treat the labor market as constantly in flux and continually looking for ways to innovate will hire top talent faster than their competitors," Reynolds writes. Full Story: Training magazine (5/8)
Benefits & Compensation
Don't wait to reimburse employee expenses, exec advises Employers who dawdle to repay employee expenses risk losing stellar workers who are frustrated by resulting dings to their personal financial history, writes Jim Conroy, CEO of The Neat Co. Establish a budget, a tracking system and other guidelines for reimbursable expenses, which often include professional dues, travel and tools, Conroy advises. Full Story: Entrepreneur (5/8)
The HR Leader
How to make the most of face-to-face time with staffers Face-to-face interactions can still be valuable in a world of hybrid work, and leaders in particular have a key role to play in setting the tone, writes leadership coach Kristi Hedges. "Especially in times of uncertainty, we use interactions with leaders to stay in the loop and map our behavior," writes Hedges, noting that video can also work if necessary. Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (5/8)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Pancho Gonzales (b. May 9, 1928) and Charlie Pasarell played a Wimbledon tennis match that lasted how many games? Check your answer here.
We continue our Teacher Appreciation Week tributes today with a story about a former teacher who’s now a principal and the exceptional job he’s done supporting his staff. I heard about Mark Contreras long before I met him. A dear friend of mine, Clark*, was teaching English at a local high school and Mark was his principal. Clark was going through a nasty divorce and began drinking heavily to deal with the stress. It wasn’t long before the drinking spiraled out of control and he faced legal issues and problems at work. “Mark was so cool, though!” Clark told me one night, over dinner. He told me how Mark brought him into his office to talk and find out what was happening. It was a powerful moment for Clark. Mark was compassionate about Clark’s circumstances, but was honest about the possible impact to his career. “He told me, ‘Dude, I just care that you get help. We want you healthy. This can ruin your life. How can I support you?’” Clark told me. His eyes watered at the memory. “He could have fired me right there, but he didn’t. He legit wanted to help me, but he made sure I knew he had a job to do. He was for me and for the kids.” I remember feeling surprise and admiration at that moment. Principals have tough jobs and some are better at being administrators than at being humans. Many teachers I know have tense relationships with their principals. It seemed Mark was an exception. He sure is. I learned that over the next 18 months as I heard about him three more times, in three separate conversations, with three different people all of whom had worked with Mark at various junctures of his career. They all echoed Clark's words: Mark Contreras is a stand-up professional and human being. He has heart and brains and integrity. There’s nothing fake in him; what you see is what you get. I found this out for myself a few months later when I finally met Mark. I interviewed him for a story on how school leaders can better support their teachers and staff (story forthcoming). He was clearly bright, but more importantly, he was friendly and down-to-earth. A true people person. He spoke with affection about his teachers and assistant principals. His respect for them was genuine. Mark started his career as a high school teacher and coach and he understood the challenges his staff dealt with daily. He poured his energy into supporting them. Mark hasn’t been a teacher in several years, but his impact on students and his peers all stems from his time in the classroom. It’s where he established his education roots and it’s what keeps him humble and approachable in his work now. We need this. And not just on our school campuses. We need the Mark Contrerases of the world in our workplaces. We need their brains, kindness and creativity. We need their toughness in taking hard assignments and saying difficult things. We need their selfless, humble leadership that sees the potential in others and works hard to help them find ways to shine. At the risk of sounding corny, people like that help change the world. Thanks Mark. Who were the teachers, coaches or professional peers who taught you valuable lessons? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also. *Name changed to preserve person's privacy.
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