Embracing the Change

Embracing the Change

Innovate or Die.  Often the mantra of CEOs and entrepreneurs.  Stagnation of ideas and lack of change leads to lost market share, drop in retention rates in both clients and employees, and simply isn’t smart business.  This is also true on a personal level.  Nothing...
One True Key to Success

One True Key to Success

I have to admit, I’ve always been skeptical of those pop psychology claims of the one thing you need to do to be successful. Most of those claims are simplistic views of the problems we face or a single concept taken to an illogical conclusion. Having said that, I now...
Subject: FEAR, don’t give it power

Subject: FEAR, don’t give it power

It’s the time of year we all make New Year’s Resolutions.  Losing weight, heading to the gym, being better with money, spending more “me time”, giving up smoking – the list goes on. Most resolutions never see fruition.  Most people give up before the end of...
Executive Search is an Extension of Your Company

Executive Search is an Extension of Your Company

In my line of work, I speak with a lot of potential hires on behalf of client organizations, so it’s not surprising that I’ve learned quite a bit about what candidates want and don’t want from me and the companies I represent.  We believe that what makes KMR’s search...
Turning Under-Miners into A-Team Players

Turning Under-Miners into A-Team Players

The lone wolf.  The snarky manager.  The know it all director. The leader who talks about everyone else on the team. The senior team member who smiles but is disrespectful behind your back. The “I did that” when you know darn well you did that Boss.  The downright...
Staying stable when the floor is shifting

Staying stable when the floor is shifting

One of my favorite childhood games was Labyrinth, where you had to negotiate a metal ball along a tilting floor, trying to get it as far through the maze as possible without dropping it into one of the many holes along the way. OK, I’ll admit I still enjoy playing...
Yes, your workplace is a political environment

Yes, your workplace is a political environment

Every workplace, no matter the size, has its own well-established political economy. There are no perfect meritocracies, no perfect Kumbaya environments in the corporate space. We can bemoan it, but we must deal with it. As you navigate the choppy waters, keep these...
Can I trust you?

Can I trust you?

Last time I wrote about how adjustments in communication style can help someone avoid being relegated to “blah blah blah” status in the office. For executives, underlying the need for effective communication is the bedrock “must” to be truly trusted by your...
Are people hearing ‘blah blah blah’ when you speak?

Are people hearing ‘blah blah blah’ when you speak?

Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” comics featuring Charlie Brown and his ragtag gang were far ahead of their time in many ways. One recurring joke I always loved was how parents and teachers were universally portrayed as off-screen characters talking in “blah blah blah”...