Posts by Chris Gardner
Ways to Get Ahead of Costly Work Conflict
Strong personalities. Political and religious differences. Age gaps. Inexperienced managers. Jealousy. Unfair workloads. Conflict is inevitable in any group environment. Work conflict can be costly. Whether it occurs between associates or involves managers, it costs businesses in the forms of time, money, low morale, and turnover. Although impossible to avoid completely, a few simple strategies…
Read MoreWhy Candidates Aren’t Accepting Your Job Offers
Hiring Managers know that today’s job market isn’t stacked in companies’ favor. Low unemployment means that the market favors job seekers, who are free to be picky about choosing an offer that meets all their requirements. In today’s job market, highly skilled candidates call the shots. And employers need to sell themselves to attract top…
Read MoreHappiness at Work – Applying positive psychology principles to the workplace
Recently, I discovered something new in the fascinating field of positive psychology. Positive psychology is the study of happiness and how ordinary people can become happier (Psychology Today). As a recruiter, I often wonder how jobs and job placements affect employee happiness. While the field of positive psychology is vast, I came across Martin Seligman’s…
Read MoreDoes Your Boss’s Ego Hurt Your Career?
If bosses don’t forgo their own ego, they risk losing good talent Every manager wants to hire the best and brightest—well, MOST do, at least. Some managers want to hire the best and the brightest—but only if they are not better or brighter than themselves. Does your boss have an overinflated ego? Is it getting…
Read More3 Steps to a Career Legacy: How to Make Your Mark
“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” These famous words by Dr. Maya Angelou are certainly inspirational. But some of us hear the word “legacy” and feel like we’re in a pressure cooker. How many more years do I have to “leave a mark…
Read MoreHow to Stop Limiting YOURSELF
In 2005, when Artemis Consultants was a mere glimmer in the eye of its founders, it was hard to predict it would grow to employ so many talented recruiters. Like any company, it experienced highs and lows. But even in vulnerable moments, Artemis employees found a way to push past obstacles and never limited themselves…
Read MoreEmployer: I’m Just Not That into You
It’s hard to pinpoint when it happened, but somewhere along the line your once-enthusiastic employee changed. He started out excited, but one day everything seemed to shift. The classic title of the 2009 romantic comedy now rings true: he’s just not that into you (or the company). All companies have employees who seem to have…
Read MoreLook for These Five Leadership Qualities When Hiring a Manager
Successful companies hire effective managers because they lead their most important asset, their people. And not just the great employees. People who complain, come to work late, people who are jealous and greedy. People who think the grass is always greener. We’ve discovered five leadership qualities to evaluate when hiring a manager. Every day, managers…
Read MoreWhy Anyone You Meet Could Become a Valuable Job Reference
It could be anyone. Really ANYONE. Your hairdresser, the cashier at Starbucks, the parent you stand next to on the soccer sideline– even your dentist. They can come into contact with you at any time and could potentially become your next job reference. Anyone you meet could become a valuable reference. Most of us understand…
Read MoreTaking a Career Mulligan: How to Leave a New Job
How long should you stay in a new job you hate? Six months? One year? Two years? Does taking a “career mulligan” affect your chances of being hired in the future? If you thought your new job was going to be a career hole-in-one, but it slices way right, how do you leave? Fully Assess…
Read MoreShedding Light on Gaslighting: An Underreported Workplace Harassment
If you’ve ever felt like you were blamed for something you didn’t do or manipulated by misdirection, odds are good that you’ve been a victim of gaslighting. According to Psychology Today, gaslighting is psychological manipulation which sows seeds of discontent and doubt. The term comes from a 1938 mystery thriller called Gas Light where a…
Read MoreWhy Assuming Positive Intent Builds Trust
Each time we interact with someone else, we make a split decision: do I trust this person? If yes, our whole demeanor reflects it: we share information, stand in close proximity, and speak with an upbeat tone. If no, we calculate every word and proceed with a stealth level of caution. Persons who have mastered…
Read MoreHow to Build Long-Term Business Relationships
I have 563 “friends” on Facebook, 126 “followers” on Instagram, and 26,800 “connections” in my LinkedIn network. Each of these people is important, but I’ll admit only some of these relationships go beyond a professional nod or loose acquaintance. How can a superficial business relationship develop into one that lasts long-term? Why should we place…
Read MoreWhat are Your Company’s Differentiators in a Work from Home World?
Working inside Google’s Bay Area headquarters, The Googleplex, means three catered meals a day, fitness classes, outdoor seating, dry-cleaning facilities, an on-site doctor, tennis courts, and sculpted gardens. It also means free yoga classes and massages. For companies aspiring to retain valuable employees, it begs the question: What are you company’s differentiators in a work…
Read MoreFive Ways Effective Managers Hold Teams Accountable
An effective manager is NOT an employee’s best friend. He does NOT take over just because he can do it better. He does NOT assume his employees can read his mind. An effective manager does NOT use fear tactics to motivate. Yet at some point in many managers’ careers, they rely on one of these…
Read MoreWhy a Manager’s WORDS Matter
If you want to be a better manager, think about your words from your employee’s perspective. Before you send an email, read it as your employee will to make sure it does not cause confusion. Before you SAY anything, whether it be praise or growth feedback, think about how your employee will receive your words.…
Read More