4 Tips for reconciling the irony of stress and productivity in the workplace

What’s impacting performance in the workplace more than anything else these days?  Many people would say it is stress, which is pushing some to the point of full-blown mental health issues. Consider how Graeme Cowan, author of Back From the Brink, describes this reality in the Fall 2014 issue of Global Corporate Xpansion Magazine: “In a hypercompetitive global economy, organizations must be ‘on’ 24/7. Yet this scramble for perpetual performance is taking a harsh toll on employees. They relentlessly push to get ahead and stay ahead- working longer days, emailing after hours, taking fewer vacations- often with little acknowledgement for

Career Spotlight: Geneticist

Do you enjoy biology? Do you also like chemistry and mathematics? Do you think working in a lab conducting experiments and doing research is fun? If any of these things describe you, then a career as a Geneticist might be for you! What do you need to be a Geneticist? Education: Becoming a geneticist requires at least a Bachelor’s degree and most likely a Master’s degree or beyond. If you are a high school student, make sure you are focused on taking biology, chemistry and mathematics. Skills: Geneticists know how to: Use scientific rules and methods to solve problems Be

Career Spotlight: Most Stressful Jobs

Do you like to live on the edge? If so, you might find your future career on the most stressful jobs list. A recent study suggests that jobs that require you to face unpredictable conditions, immediate dangers and high-stakes situations rank among the most stressful of 2014. According to a study from job search site CareerCast, jobs where people are putting their lives on the line are the most stressful. Who tops the list you ask? Military personnel (enlisted and generals), firefighters and airline pilots are all there. According to the site, salaries and education levels for the most stressful

Career Spotlight: Legislative Aide

Are you a good communicator? Do you enjoy doing research and analyzing data? Is making arrangements and planning trips something you love to do? If so, you should consider a career as a Legislative Aide! Legislative aides work with representatives, senators and government officials to manage communication with constituents, organize representatives’ schedules, research legislation and typically direct activities in their offices. The requirements for a position as a legislative aide often vary according to the office and needs of the legislator. Education Required: Associate Degree or Bachelor’s Degree Skills and Personal Abilities: Written and Oral Communication Organization Critical Thinking Monitoring

Impacting the performance of employees when you just want them to show up, do their job and not complain

“I just want them to show up and do their job and not complain,” said one burned-out manager to me not long ago.  He was struggling with how to motivate the performance of several members of his staff, and in his exhaustion to try to be a leader, had adopted a mindset of something far from leadership. So how do leaders influence and impact the performance of employees when sometimes we just want them to show up and do their job and not complain? 1.  Adopt a Leadership Mindset. First, a mindset of leadership needs to be present.  Leadership is