Flexible work schedules can boost productivity, but guardrails are needed | Recruiters add upskilling for next generation of employees | Why 75% of US workers are leaving their jobs
As a boss, are you a teacher, cheerleader, connector or always on? Of the four types of managers -- teachers, cheerleaders, always on, connectors -- connectors are the bosses who boost performance the most, according to a survey from Gartner. The "always on" managers have a negative impact, but connectors but reach across a team or company to find the workers with the best skills for a project, writes Deborah Barrington. HR Dive (10/23)Flexible work schedules can boost productivity, but guardrails are needed Many employers are offering flexible work schedules in an effort to attract and retain employees, and surveys have shown that flexible schedules can boost productivity, but early adopters of flex time say guidelines and formal policies are needed. USA Today (10/20)
Hire Smart
Recruiters add upskilling for next generation of employees Monster's recent study shows recruiters are having trouble finding candidates with required skills and have turned to upskilling in the workplace to overcome generational gaps. "Upskilling is critical to not only retain top talent, but also to attract qualified candidates from competitors," says Monster CEO Scott Gutz. Human Resource Executive (10/23)
The Landscape
Why 75% of US workers are leaving their jobs Seventy-five percent of workers in the US leave their jobs within five years, according to a study by iHire, driven by dissatisfaction with pay, low opportunity for growth or advancement, and a negative work environment. Respondents said a raise or bonus, better benefits and a better work-life balance would encourage them to stay. Small Business Trends (10/20)
Vary your speaking speed to keep the audience with you Compelling public speakers vary the cadence and speed of their presentation to keep the audience engaged. "If there's a part in your presentation or speech where it makes sense to rattle off a series of words or sentences -- perhaps a section in which you need to run through a list of details -- try speeding it up. Then, slow it down as you approach your main point," writes Carmine Gallo. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (10/23)
Balancing Yourself
5 tips for boosting well-being at work Modern executives are striving to create meaningful experiences for their employees, writes Liz Stone Brewster of The Elliot Group. Best practices include identifying culture champions, creating a vision and action plan, maintaining transparency and celebrating achievements. Nation's Restaurant News (free registration) (10/22)Google adds apps to keep you off your apps Google unveiled a host of apps designed to help people curb their device usage/addiction. The "digital wellbeing experiments" include some that you undertake on your own and others you conduct with friends and family. The Verge (10/23)
Researchers believe they might have identified a genetic mutation in a father and son that enables the two men to sleep just four to six hours per day and still perform as well or better than average on memory tests. The researchers involved in the study focused on the mechanisms of healthy sleep, but others wonder if the discovery of the mutation could lead to the development of a pill or treatment that mirrors the ability of the two men. LiveScience/Scientific American (10/23)
Never say 'no' to adventures. Always say 'yes,' otherwise you'll lead a very dull life.
Ian Fleming, writer, journalist, British naval intelligence officer
