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Published by The People Group
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March 2009
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Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership
by Kevin Kennemer, MA, SPHR
 During lunch the other day I was seeking marketing advice from a
good friend and respected business leader. Full of wonderful and
relevant ideas, she mentioned my writing style tended to be very
direct. This Tulsa business leader said a couple of articles seemed to
reach out and grab the reader in a more threatening tone. Because I
greatly respect her opinion, I wanted to share some thoughts.
First, I apologize if my writing is too aggressive at times.
Unfortunately, we work in a business climate today where overly
aggressive behavior is rewarded. The "just get the job done" attitude
is not the way to build long-term, viable organizations. Short-term
thinking and decision-making, along with greedy behavior, will
eventually lead to an organization's failure.
Who So Direct?
It is not my intention to offend people, just help them think about
important people issues at work. Typically, leaders have no problem
being excruciatingly direct with employees. My role is to be direct
with business leaders while trying to avoid a harsh tone. Your job is
difficult. I feel your pain.
When I played tennis I found improvement was gained when playing
against better tennis players. Good tennis players don't go easy on
you. They serve hard and aggressively attack the ball. Reading
challenging people practice articles, whether on this blog or other
sources, is a good way to bring reality, objectivity, sincerity and
best practices into your organization's people initiatives. However, I
promise to not throw my racket at you or hit you in the head with a
tennis ball - on purpose anyway. Read this article...
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Great Workplaces Avoid Lay-offs
by Kevin Kennemer, MA, SPHR
When meeting with CEO's, business owners and leaders, it is in their  company's best interest to understand the
advantages of adopting, modeling and promoting a Great Workplace
Initiative. The company wins. The employees win. Our society wins.
Great Workplaces are also better able to avoid the scourge of U.S.
corporations - the dreaded lay-off.
When times get tough, Great Workplaces are better prepared for
difficult business conditions. According to a recent ground-breaking
GreatPlaceJobs.com study, Great Workplaces perform lay-offs at half the
rate of their average-performing counterparts. This means job
applicants should be searching for companies recognized as Great
Workplaces. Below are some observations about lay-offs:
- Lay-offs should be the last resort, not a knee-jerk reaction to please shareholders.
- A CEO who knows and cares for employees will first attempt cost-cutting measures and involve the entire workforce.
- The goal of drastic payroll reduction is to quickly raise the stock price.*
- Downsizing raises the perceived value of the firm but lowers the actual value.*
- A leader who has to look employees in the eyes has motivation to pursue alternatives to lay-offs.
- Companies who avoid lay-offs are better prepared to meet customer demand when the economy turns around.
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Hiring Only Beautiful People
by Kevin Kennemer, MA, SPHR
 Do you remember that Pantene commercial in the 1980's when the girl
in the shower said, "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful." Don't worry,
when you are in the job market, employers in most cases will love you
when you are beautiful. Advertisers know that sex sells stuff. Sex
appeal helps those in the job market as well. Bottom line, beautiful
people go to the front of the employment line.
Have you ever been seated in the lobby of a doctor's office and
watched as the pharmaceutical sales representatives wait for their
appointment? I have noticed I would not qualify for their job. First,
most are beautiful women. You know, the kind of women who could wear a
feedsack and still look terrific. Secondly, the pill selling men could
pose for GQ Magazine. Does this give you a comfort feeling? Could it
be our trusted doctors and their staff prescribe the latest medicine
based on the good looks of the pharmaceutical company's sales staff?
"Oh, I think that blonde rep. is so hot. If I prescribe tons of Zoloft
maybe she will go out with me." Overweight People Must Work Harder I remember a comedian telling his audience, "Fat people have to work
harder." Overweight comedians might be funny but in the office it's
not so comical. You remember elementary school? Children are brutally
honest and will routinely make fun of overweight kids. Bullying might
be a better term for this. Those same bully kids who called fellow
students "fatso" grew up and now work in the corner office.
If you are overweight and/or beauty challenged, working
relationships might get a little rough for you in the workplace. You
might have to produce more than your beautiful and thin coworkers to
obtain the respect they garner. Read this article...
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Winning
Workplaces
Six Tips to Be a Better Boss and Improve Your Culture
By Allison O'Neill
Our friends over at Winning Workplaces have provided six recommendations to improve your supervisory skills and company culture.
1. Remember your staff are human.
2. Don't tolerate tension.
3. Express gratitude.
4. Don't avoid the yuck.
5. Be contagious.
6. Listen to your team.
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Positive People Practices. Positive Financial Results.
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