Our reader poll today asks: When things slow down at work, what do you do?

• I enjoy the peace and slower pace while it’s here – 22%
• I fill the free time with projects I’ve been putting off – 69%
• I spin up a bunch of new work to speed things up again – 8%

Taking advantage of the slowdown.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

Rising stars are quick to understand their roles, they deliver outstanding results, and they require very little guidance.

Your team members who are in the upper right quadrant of the leadership matrix are your exemplars. One type of exemplar is your rising star. Rising stars are your future leaders. They’re eventually going to be taking over your role. These people require very little leadership capital investment, and they deliver great results. 

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

Our reader poll today asks: What is your biggest frustration with hiring processes?

• Too many interviews – 14%
• Lack of communication and feedback from interviews – 30%
• Unclear job requirements – 10%
• Roles are posted just for show — they already have their person – 28%
• Lack of visibility into open roles – 8%
• Something else – 11%

Want to fill a role?

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

Nonprofits, particularly those in the human services sector, often shy away from expansion. There are several explanations for their hesitation.

Today’s post is by Ryan Dewey Smith, author of Sustaining the Mission: Building a Billion-Dollar Nonprofit Network by Rewriting the Rules of Partnership.

Nonprofits, particularly those in the human services sector, often shy away from expansion. There are several explanations for their hesitation. Likely the biggest reason they are reluctant to grow is because so many are already operating on a wing and a prayer.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

No matter how good your problem solving is, if you can’t come up with a clear recommendation that’s compelling to your stakeholders, it’s all been for naught.

The last step in the problem solving process is coming up with a clear and concise recommendation. And I like to say you need to make assertions. Assertions are nothing more than facts stated to persuade.

I’ve used this method of making assertions with a telecom replacement project where we were going to replace all of the phone systems across our entire division.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.

The organizations that succeed are often not the ones who offer the fanciest offices and biggest benefits. They are the ones that are willing to adapt to the changing needs of their employees.

Today’s post is by Jamie Sieja, Vice President of Marketing, Flex HR

Companies are continuously competing to attract the right talent with office perks. Whether it be catered lunches, gym memberships, or coffee bars these are all symbols of a great workplace.

Read the rest of this post at thoughtLEADERS, LLC: Leadership Training for the Real World.