Rodger Dean Duncan's Blog, page 7

Focus on Employee Happiness, Engagement Follows

Employee “engagement” has been an elusive goal of business organizations for decades.

Yet despite the introduction of a wide range of “comfort perks,” the levels of engagement haven’t budged much.

But have we been measuring the wrong things? Eric Karpinski thinks so. He’s the author of Put Happiness to Work: 7 Strategies to Elevate Engagement for Optimal Performance. 

In the first part of this conversation, Karpinski explained the links between engagement and happiness in the workplace, and the ...

Focus on Employee Happiness, Engagement Will Follow

Employee “engagement” has been an elusive goal of business organizations for decades.

Yet despite the introduction of a wide range of “comfort perks,” the levels of engagement haven’t budged much.

But have we been measuring the wrong things? Eric Karpinski thinks so. He’s the author of Put Happiness to Work: 7 Strategies to Elevate Engagement for Optimal Performance. 

In the first part of this conversation, Karpinski explained the links between engagement and happiness in the workplace, and the ...

Engagement Is Good. Happiness Is Even Better

Employee engagement, we’ve been told for decades, is an imperative key to business success. It’s the extent to which employees feel passionate about their jobs. It’s the level of their commitment to the organization. It’s the discretionary effort they devote to their work. It’s all about psychological ownership.

This not just “feel good” stuff. High levels of employee engagement and wellbeing are closely associated with productivity, customer loyalty, profitability, lower turnover and many other...

How Being Positive Can Supercharge Performance

From my memories of being a high school athlete, two coaches stand out. The first was technically sound. He knew the sport well, but his people skills were somewhere south of zero. When recalling his leadership style, the word “tyrant” comes to mind.

The second coach was a novice with the sport, and quick to admit it. He was also very tough-minded and big on discipline. After all, earlier in his career he was a Marine drill instructor. But tough though he was, this second coach was kind, respect...

Do You Have the Right Stuff to Be a CEO?

In my four decades of leadership consulting and coaching, I’ve come across a wide range of CEOs.

At one end of the spectrum are those with a wonderful blend of people smarts, business savvy, and a knack for building a make-a-difference business. At the other end are misfits who are CEOs in title only. Some of them can talk a pretty good game, and they might have even been successful in previous roles. But they crash and burn. That’s why the average shelf life of CEOs is only about five years.

Jo...

Fed Up With Red Tape? Fight Back With These Ideas

If you’re like most every other adult on the planet, you’ve been frustrated in dealing with one organization or another. Maybe it involved getting your driver’s license renewed. Or getting a refund on that gizmo you ordered online. Or navigating the entanglements of rules and sub-rules of an insurance claim. Or (not so) simply making a change in an airline reservation.

Some people refer to such bureaucratic hassles as “red tape.” By whatever name, these time- and patience-hogging encounters invo...

How Everyday People Become Extraordinary Leaders

Great leaders don’t set out to be leaders. They set out to make a difference.

Yes, I know. That sounds like one of those high testosterone posters in the employee cafeteria.

But it’s absolutely true. And it could serve as a guide for anyone who’s less interested in personal plaudits than in exercising influence for good.

Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner understand this better than most. They are esteemed academics (Jim at Rice University, Barry at Santa Clara University), but as leadership consultant...

Tips for Dealing With Anxiety at Work

Many business leaders—at least the ones who’ve stayed alert—learned something really important during the global pandemic lockdowns. They came to the realization that anxiety is a serious business issue.

Think about it. Millions of people were working remotely, managing their at-home responsibilities while feeling the pressure of staying connected with their work teams.

Many issues contribute to rising anxiety levels. People struggle with “always on” work styles, increased use of social media, u...

Ladies, Start Your Engines. Drive Your Business to Success

More women than ever are starting their own businesses. They’re willing to embrace the title—and the risks—of “entrepreneur.”

A 2019 study commissioned by American Express showed that in the previous five years the number of women-owned businesses in the U.S. climbed 21%, while all businesses increased only 9%. Total employment for women-owned businesses rose 8%, while the increase for all businesses was only 1.8%.

The trend is not new. Between 1972 and 2019, the share that women-owned businesse...

Why Planning Your Farewell Makes a World of Sense

It’s been said that loss reminds us about the worth of things. That seems especially true when it comes to the death of a friend or loved one.

Over the past year and a half, I have lost several associates, including one treasured pal whose friendship dates back nearly six decades. The Covid pandemic put the brakes on traditional funerals. But thanks to platforms like Zoom and YouTube, at least some virtual memorials were possible.

All of this served as a sober reminder that—regardless of our age...