Want to empower your team? Stop going first One leader Scott Eblin coaches says he stays out of the weeds of day-to-day operations by allowing his subordinates to step up and take over tasks "and only jumping in if it's absolutely necessary," Eblin writes. "The people on his team are developing and feeling more empowered to make decisions because he's giving the space for them to go first instead of always going first himself," Eblin writes. Full Story: Eblin Group (11/15)
Addressing obstacles to effective mentorship Mentorship and sponsorship are important for diversifying the workforce and senior leadership, but certain obstacles sometimes arise when organizations attempt to formalize and scale up these kinds of programs, says London Business School professor Herminia Ibarra. "It's not just about helping the junior person move up, it's also about helping the more senior person learn about a different set of people, learn through the eyes of somebody who is positioned differently in the organization, who's having different kinds of experiences," Ibarra says. Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (11/15)
Keep getting interrupted? Here's what to do People interrupt others for a variety of reasons, including to show support, but also as a power play, writes Galina Hitching, who offers several strategies that could help, including speaking with a demeanor of authority and not taking interruptions personally. "Whether they are pulling a power play, overly excited, or their brain processes things differently, they might interrupt regardless of who was standing in front of them," Hitching writes. Full Story: Science of People (11/16)
The Landscape
Employers become choosier when searching for talent Employers are being more selective in hiring and are looking for sustained success in the workforce, as layoffs rise and as the job market cools. Senior managers are seeking workers with specific skills who can contribute immediately and who are likely to stay in the position, according to a survey from Robert Half. Full Story: Journal of Accountancy (11/16)
Amazon this week started making about 10,000 employee layoffs in several corporate and technology divisions, following a recent earnings call in which Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said the company was "preparing for what could be a slower growth period." However, Amazon still intends to hire 150,000 workers to help with the holiday rush. Full Story: CNN (11/16),CNBC (11/15)
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Your Next Challenge
What to do if your employer suspends its 401(k) match During previous periods of economic difficulty, some companies have suspended their matching 401(k) contributions. If that happens where you work, it is important to keep up your own contributions and potentially even increase them if possible. Full Story: USA Today (11/15)
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In what has to be one of the most brilliant ad campaigns in sports history, billboards have sprouted up all over the US in the hometowns of members of the US Men's National Team. The billboards feature lengthy, inspirational notes urging the players to achieve (and score) their goals at the FIFA Men's World Cup. The notes are authored by none other than Ted Lasso. Full Story: SB Nation (11/15)
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