Very few of us are hired by our employers as “individual performers.” Most of us are part of a team – a “collective.” With this in mind, when I have hired people in the past, I think about their individual merit and what they will contribute to the collective. Last semester, I provided students in one of my classes with the following scenario and questions: The Board … [Read more...] about “Collective Merit”
ethics
Traps to Avoid as You Gain Power
As you gain responsibility and authority, you gain power. Will you use your power wisely??? As humans, it is easy for us to fall into certain “power traps,” as we gain authority. A recent article in Harvard Business Review outlined some of these. Just by being aware of them we can potentially avoid these: *The Savior Trap. Some people can expect you to have all the … [Read more...] about Traps to Avoid as You Gain Power
The Inadvertent Racist
I have been an Inadvertent Racist. Maybe you too? A few years ago, the Governor of Virginia got in trouble for having appeared in a college activity that included people in blackface. I commented to some African American friends that I did not understand the problem. They kindly suggested that I do some research. Wow. You can read more here, but blackface was used by … [Read more...] about The Inadvertent Racist
Stand Firm on Your DEI Efforts
Political opportunists (Capital P on purpose) are attempting to create momentum from a Supreme Court ruling on college admissions to say that all DEI efforts should be eliminated. We cannot let this happen. Diversity: we live in a diverse country and our organizations need to reflect that - it is a good thing and the right thing to do. Do your staff recruitment efforts … [Read more...] about Stand Firm on Your DEI Efforts
Peace on Earth
Wars are raging. Hate crimes are on the rise, including Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and acts impacting people of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ+ Community, and essentially anyone who is not a WASPy straight, male (like me). If we ever needed more Peace on Earth, it is now. But what can just one person do about it? Christians are preparing to celebrate Christmas, Jews … [Read more...] about Peace on Earth