Human Potential is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

Human Potential is a Terrible Thing to Waste! Robert Tanner I adapted the powerful ad slogan of the United Negro College Fund (a mind is a terrible thing to waste) some years ago as the closing quote for a development effort I was conducting.  At the time, I thought about the negative impact of ineffective leaders…

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How Much Does Good Leadership Affect the Bottom-Line?

How much does good leadership affect the bottom-line? A study by the talent firm, Development Dimensions International (DDI), says the impact on an organization’s bottom-line is significant.  DDI completed a global leadership forecast study in 2011 with responses from 1,897 human resources professionals and 12,423 leaders from 74 countries. The study is rich with data…

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People Skills: Not More Of That “Touchy-Feely” Stuff!

Organizational development efforts that involve improving people skills often bring resistance. The raised eyebrows, folded arms, stiff half smile or other skeptical body language of doubting managers say the following: Not more of that touchy-feely stuff!  Resistance and skepticism come with the territory, however.  HR professionals, consultants and trainers frequently have to address this resistance before meaningful…

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Seventy Five Percent of New Executives Lack Interpersonal Skills

frustrated angry business man

A study by the Institute for Executive Development and Alexcel showed 75% of newly hired executives are having trouble with interpersonal skills (the ability to build relationships, collaborate, and influence others). A troubling finding of the study is that many of these executives had both strong technical skills and years of previous management experience and yet…

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Is 50 the New 30?

Group of Baby Boomer Managers Walking and Talking

The Aging Workforce! The saying 50 is the new 30 may be nice to hear for individuals who are noticing the effects of age creeping up on them, but others in that demographic report that it is wishful thinking. (These doubtful individuals report that they do not feel the same at 50 as they did…

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