Tag: Job Satisfaction

Transition Hurdles for Leaders

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

Transition Hurdles for LeadersTransition Image

Building a career in leadership involves having critical abilities to adapt and flourish in new work environments.

In a study at the Harvard Business School General Business Program, leaders had an average of 16 years of business experience, had experienced 5.5 promotions, changed bosses an average of every 1.5 years, worked for 2.4 companies, and made 1.5 international moves.

In other words, change is a constant in the quest for higher level leadership.

In the article, The Eight Toughest Transitions for Leaders, Michael D. Watkins, outlines the types of career moves that most executives face.

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What is Unintentional Intolerance?

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

What is Unintentional Intolerance?

  Intolerance Image

Today’s workplace has a broad range of religious and political beliefs, genders, cultures, generations, races and lifestyles. These powerful aspects of others and ourselves provide daily communication and connection challenges.

Without thinking we could easily appear intolerant and insulting. Our actions can be “lost in translation” without self-awareness and sensitivity.

In the article, “Can You Speak the Language of Business with other Cultures?”, by Elisabete Miranda, the author outlines ways to support diversity and educationally grow in understanding others.

Suggested actions include:

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Remember When your Boss was Older than You?

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

Remember When your Boss was Older than You?

Younger Boss Image

The workplace is truly a new place. In this place the boss isn’t always the guy with the gray hair anymore.

As baby boomers age and younger, technology savvy workers move up the chain of command, generations are beginning to experience a very different workplace dynamic.

Now, those leading the company teams may be much younger than the workers they are asked to lead. This, of course, can lead to challenges and conflict.

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What should you learn from the Potential Boss During the Interview?

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

What should you learn from the Potential Boss During the Interview?

Boss Interview Image

Happiness on the job has many factors – the right pay, location, challenges that suit our capabilities, benefits, and more. For all the hours spent at work, the boss is also a critical factor in evaluating whether or not to accept that new position.

But what can you really find out about the boss during the length of an interview or two?

Plenty! According to Caroline Levchuck, author of the article, “Four Questions to Ask a Potential Manager.”

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Five Factors that Contribute to Job Enrichment

Posted on by Jan Hovrud

Five Factors that Contribute to Job Enrichment

Ever wonder how to keep your employees (or yourself) happy on the job? Researchers Richard Hackman and Greg Oldham identified five factors that make a difference in job satisfaction.

  1. Skill Variety – A desired mix of skills and activities is needed to carry out the work.
  2. Task Completion – The job is undertaken as a whole, allowing the employee to complete an identifiable piece of work from beginning to end with a visible outcome.
  3. Task Significance – The job has a recognizable impact on the overall mission or on other people inside or outside the organization.
  4. Autonomy – The job offers substantial freedom, independence, and discretion in scheduling the work and in choosing the procedures to be used in carrying it out.
  5. Feedback – The job provides feedback by observable progress and results of the job itself, or from customers, coworkers and management.

Resource: The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave, by Leigh Branham