Eric Jacobson On Management And Leadership

  Question: While we surely will find ourselves challenged by COVID-19 in the foreseeable future, what is the most important thing a leader can do as they lead their business/organization? “The most important thing a leader can do during periods of significant change and times of uncertainty, like we’re experiencing now during the pandemic, is to listen to his or her people.  A great deal has changed in employees’ work lives in a short time, so it’s more important than ever to have a pulse on how their views on the ideal work environment may be evolving.  Do research with employees to understand their desires and concerns about the future of work, where they would work best, and why. We’re learning more about how employee wants are very diverse. Adapting to those differences will strengthen the capabilities of a team and organization.  For every employee, consider what enhancements are needed for safety, productivity and wellbeing.”  David Grossman, Founder ...

Good books I like to share. Really good books I like to share with lots of people. And, Nathan Magnuson ’s latest book, StandOut! Become a Young Professional Who Wins at Work and Life , is a really good book you, and lots of people, should know about.  Written by a humble, wise, insightful millennial, Magnuson provides a timely resource to help young professionals excel in the workplace and beyond.  Call it a blueprint, handbook, guide or manual, Stand Out! is a must-read for young professionals early in their career, for recent college graduates, and for workplace leaders respectfully guiding and coaching the young professionals within their organizations. Stand Out! also makes for a good gift from a parent or life/business coach and is perfect for a millennial’s book club.  Magnuson tells it like it is, provides clear, practical, actionable advice and speaks with authenticity and in a conversational style that will resonate with young career professionals. Withi...

Millennial turnover is a huge problem for leaders. Millennials account for nearly 40 percent of the American workforce, and by 2025, that number balloons to 75 percent of the global workplace. “Over 60 percent of millennials leave their company in under three years,” explains Elizabeth McLeod , a Millennial and cum laude grad of Boston University. “And, there are four reasons why Millennials dump their middle-aged managers,” adds McLeod. She says those reasons are:  Leaders tolerate low performance ROI is not enough of a motivator Culture is more than free Panera Leaders often treat their employees like a number Elizabeth McLeod and her mother, Lisa Earle McLeod , are a mother/daughter consulting team whose clients include Google, Roche, Hootsuite, and G Adventures. Lisa is the author of the book, Selling with Noble Purpose .  Lisa Earle McLeod Elizabeth McLeod The mother/daughter duo awhile back shared...

In their book,  Millennials Who Manage , authors  Chip Espinoza  and  Joel Schwarzbart , quote  Donna Hicks 's explanation about how  dignity is different from respect . Dignity is different from respect in that it is not based on how people perform, what they can do for us, or their likability. Dignity is a feeling of inherent value and worth. Therefore, Espinoza and Schwarzbart recommend that leaders treat those they are leading with dignity and follow Hick's  10 Essential Elements of Dignity : Acceptance of Identity  - Approach people as being neither inferior nor superior to you. Assume that others have integrity. Inclusion  - Make others feel that they belong, whatever the relationship. Safety  - Put people at ease at two levels: physically, so they feel safe from bodily harm, and psychologically, so they feel safe from being humiliated. Acknowledgment  - Give people your full attention by listening, hearing, valida...

The second edition of  Managing the Millennials  is an important read. Because, in 2015, Millennials comprised 35 percent of the workforce--nearly 54 million workers. And, by 2020, one in three adults will be a Millennial, and then by 2025, three of four workers will be from the Millennial generation. Further, according to the book's co-author  Chip Espinoza , more than 60 percent of employers say that they are experiencing tension between employees from different generations--more than 70 percent of older employees are dismissive of younger workers' abilities. And, 50 percent of younger employees are dismissive of the abilities of their older coworkers. In this latest updated edition of the original 2009 book, the authors include  new research and new real-world examples  to assist you in: Making the most informed decisions on getting the most from twenty-something employees. Executing solutions to the most common obstacles to younger workers engaging...

In their book,  Millennials Who Manage , authors  Chip Espinoza  and  Joel Schwarzbart  explain that there are nine managerial competencies essential to managing Millennials. They are: Be Flexible  - Focus more on what gets done than on how it gets done and give Millennials the leeway to work how they want when possible. Create the Right Rewards  - Rewards don't need to be overdone for every accomplishment, but Millennials should be recognized when things go well. Put Their Imagination to Work  - Keep Millennnals' minds (and hearts) engaged by using their well-developed imagination to solve problems ad innovate. Build a Relationship  - Connect relationally with them first. Leaders who show interest and create personal connections with them will earn trust and have better working relationships. Be Positive When Correcting  - Focus on areas of improvement as a positive. Focus on timely, frequent, and constructive feedb...

In their book,  Millennials Who Manage , authors  Chip Espinoza  and  Joel Schwarzbart  explain that there are nine managerial competencies essential to managing Millennials . They are: Be Flexible  - Focus more on what gets done than on how it gets done and give Millennials the leeway to work how they want when possible. Create the Right Rewards  - Rewards don't need to be overdone for every accomplishment, but Millennials should be recognized when things go well. Put Their Imagination to Work  - Keep Millennnals' minds (and hearts) engaged by using their well-developed imagination to solve problems ad innovate. Build a Relationship  - Connect relationally with them first. Leaders who show interest and create personal connections with them will earn trust and have better working relationships. Be Positive When Correcting  - Focus on areas of improvement as a positive. Focus on timely, frequent, and constructive feed...

Drawing on extensive research, including a comprehensive, original workplace survey and in-depth interviews with Millennial managers, Millennials Who Manage , offers teaches Millennial readers how to overcome workplace perceptions and become great leaders. Chip Espinoza and Joel Schwarzbart are the authors of the new book, and Espinoza was kind enough to share his answers the following questions about topics he covers in his book. Question :   Millennials have been labeled as “the entitled” generation. What can they do to overcome such a negative perception? Espinoza :  The best way to overcome being perceived as entitled is to show appreciation and gratitude. If your manager invites you to a meeting, send her a thank you card or e-mail detailing what you learned and your appreciation. Millennials have to be intentional about it because it does not come naturally. That is not a knock on them. They have grown up in a world in which authority figures are for th...