Horizon Point Consulting

Search results for: “productivity”

  • 4 Ways Leaders Can Keep Remote Work Pros from Becoming Cons

    4 Ways Leaders Can Keep Remote Work Pros from Becoming Cons

    I may be the only person in America that actually considered getting office space instead of ditching it in 2020.  Having run a business for almost ten years totally remote, I was beginning to question whether that was the best option for me and the business.

    As a company, three of our core values- people first, passion, and productivity- are guided by this statement: “To help drive passion and productivity, we don’t care how or where work gets done, just that it gets done in a way that meets client needs. This coincides with our desire to put people first by allowing them the autonomy to make decisions based on their personal preferences. We believe this stimulates passion and productivity.” 

    I believe this guiding principle has led to my productivity and the productivity and retention of our team and echoes what has been found in research from Harvard Business Review, among others, that workers (specifically knowledge-based workers in the HBR article) are more productive remotely. 

    So what gives?  This chart found at ventureharbor.com might provide some insights: 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Like many others, I’ve been working largely from home with kids also going to school in our home on and off for the last year.  Unplugging after work has also been a challenge when the to-do list is long and the interruptions are large (“Mom, my teacher can’t hear me, something is wrong with the sound on my computer!”  “Mom, how do you spell contagious?” Mom, I’m hungry!….” It never ends…. Especially when there is also an 18-month-old that isn’t in school but is very BUSY all the time underfoot too.) 

    In addition, people seem to be working longer, or at least working on very different schedules.  From a LinkedIn report on what WFH means: “Workers in Austria, Canada, the UK, and the US are logging 2.5 hours more each day on average, according to Bloomberg, with a longer workday becoming the new normal globally. But while many have more meetings and emails to catch up on, having a longer workday doesn’t necessarily mean more hours working, per The Washington Post. Some people have adopted new work schedules in which they work later but have longer breaks throughout the day.” 

    So even though remote work can and has brought about significant positive outcomes, including potential productivity gains, reduced office space costs, and employees having more autonomy, there are always two sides to every coin. What side of the coin someone is landing on is largely an issue of their current and specific personal circumstances and the realization that too much of a good thing is, well, bad. 

    Leaders need to be mindful that everyone’s situation is different and be aware that the advantages of remote work also lead to challenges. Once this is done, leaders can support their people at the individual level and provide resources to help support productive work.   

    Much of Microsoft’s research on what makes a great manager, which was published pre-pandemic, still holds true in a remote working world.  This guides some ideas for practicing strong remote work leadership: 

    1. Set guardrails around communication, productivity, and working hour expectations.  Many of our clients have talked extensively about the need for manager training around the new way of working, particularly respecting boundaries around work time and response expectations.  One client told me, “I don’t want to go back into the office full-time, but I feel like I’m expected to be checking email before 7 am and I am often called routinely after 6 or 7 pm about unimportant work things by my boss.  Most types of calls would not have been urgent when we worked in the office and could have waited until the next day, but now for some reason, these non-urgent issues seem to need to be resolved before the end of the day. The new expectation is, you’re right there by your computer all the time, so let’s just handle this now. There has got to be a healthy balance.”  As a leader, make sure you are guarding people’s line between work and home when the home is now the office.

    2. Realize these guardrails may be unique to each person.  One person may need to be sending emails before 7 am because they are also a schoolteacher from 8 am to Noon when virtual school is taking place for their kids.  They need to be productive first thing in the morning, take a break, then return to the “office” for an extended time than when the standard workday takes place.  Talk to each of your employees (see number three, hold regular one-on-ones) and see what they need and how you can effectively communicate their needs and working arrangements to all team members that rely on and collaborate with them. 

    For example, I may need to work on the weekends (as I’m doing now writing this post) because this past week my kids were home all week due to the winter weather.  But that doesn’t mean I’m expecting my entire team to be working on the weekends too.  One of our team members has a lot of commitments with her family over the weekends, but her kids are older than mine, so she isn’t interrupted by their needs as much during the week even if they are home. Her regular schedule is working intensely Monday-Thursday so she can have time on Fridays to get personal things done and/or travel with her family for kids sporting activities.  I don’t try to schedule anything for her or with her on Fridays.  We have yet another team member that is a night owl.  The girl can crank out some good work well after I go to bed and it is in my inbox the next morning.  Yet another person has volunteer commitments that are meaningful to her and our work, so I try to be mindful of her commitments there when considering her workload and times for the meeting. 

    3. Hold regular one-on-ones but avoid virtual meeting overload.  In a virtual setting, request that your people turn their cameras on while you are meeting one-on-one.  This provides the needed context for what can be learned by what is not being said through people’s expressions and body language.  You can do this while assuring them that you are not at all bothered by a kid/spouse/pet coming into the picture at times and that if they need to pause the meeting to handle something, that is fine.  In addition, one guardrail to manage is to make sure that just because it is convenient and easy to convene a virtual meeting, doesn’t necessarily mean you need one.  Make sure a meeting is the best way to facilitate communication. Don’t meet when an email will work just as well. 

    4. Provide specific resources based on each person’s needs.  This may be office space for someone to utilize, not all the time, but at certain times when distractions at home seem to be the highest.  As seen in the chart, loneliness is one of the biggest struggles with remote work. What can you do to support human interaction needs in a remote world?  One simple thing may be encouraging people to turn on their camera while in virtual meetings so people can be seen, not only heard.  Likewise, another may need to keep their camera off because their office is also the classroom and their six-year-old is working beside them. The chart also describes a problem, you may need to simply tell someone on your team to take a vacation.  If you’re holding regular one-on-ones and understand people’s unique situations, you should know when someone is approaching burnout. 

    All in all, I’m still on the fence about whether office space is necessary for me and my team.  But if it ever does become something we invest in, I know I’ll make sure that my team knows that the office is available for them, not a requirement of them.  When clear expectations and a mindset of service excellence are set, I still firmly believe that people get their best work done when they get to decide how, when, and where to do it. 

    How are you managing the pros and cons of remote work? 

  • Are Your Employees SAD? How to Help Employees Who Struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder

    Are Your Employees SAD? How to Help Employees Who Struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder

    It’s that time of year. The weather is changing, the leaves are falling, and you’re SAD. But you’re not alone. Nearly 10 million Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. While SAD is most prevalent in those ages 18 to 30, it can affect anyone, and the effects are different for everyone. 

    Symptoms of SAD include: 

    • Fatigue
    • Loss of concentration 
    • Insomnia/Inability to wake up
    • Mild to severe depression
    • Weight loss/gain

    Employers may see these symptoms in the form of attendance issues, decreased productivity, mistakes in work completed, or a lack of concentration in meetings. Your initial reaction may be to consider disciplinary action, but before you do, consider the behaviors you’re seeing. Are these recent changes to an otherwise well-performing employee? If so, did these changes occur around the change of the season? While SAD affects most people in the cold weather seasons, some individuals do suffer SAD in the warmer season as well. 

    So how can you help an employee who may be suffering from SAD? 

    • Utilize your EAP. If your organization provides employees with an Employee Assistance Plan, now might be a good time to remind employees of this benefit. Send out a communication to all staff reminding them of the EAP benefit and the services it can provide to them. 
    • Up the lighting. Take a look around your facility at the lighting. Are all areas well lit or does your office exude that dim ambiance? While dim lights might be preferred in the summer months, you might want to turn up the lights in the cooler months. 
    • Encourage employees to get outside. If your office is in a great location for walks, encourage your employees to take advantage of that and get moving outdoors. Consider forming a walking team that meets daily to get outside and walk for 15-20 minutes. Think about setting up a basketball hoop, volleyball net, cornhole, or other outdoor activity to encourage employees to get outside during their breaks or lunch. 
    • Talk more. Check-in with your employees more often, just stop by to say hi and see how they’re doing. And be an active listener. If you listen, you may read between the lines that they aren’t as okay as they say they are. 
    • Offer flexibility. If possible, consider a more flexible work schedule. That may include shifting your hours and letting employees arrive a little later or it may mean allowing affected employees to work from home on their bad days. 
    • Offer up FMLA and/or ADA. Understand that while most people who suffer from SAD are able to struggle through, some aren’t. In some cases, SAD can be debilitating and lead to severe depression. In these cases, employees may need and qualify for FMLA and/or ADA accommodations. 
  • 3 Ways to Go Upstream

    3 Ways to Go Upstream

    “What the world needs now is a quieter breed of hero, one actively fighting for a world in which rescues are no longer required. How many problems in our lives and society are we tolerating simply because we have forgotten we can fix them?” Dan Heath- Upstream

    I just finished one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve read in a long time.  But what made the book great was that it took the thought-provoking a step further and provided some keen insights and tools about acting on the information.   Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen, by Dan Heath is worth the read. 

    As the subtitle implies, the premise of the book is that we spend so much time and resources on downstream issues.  It provokes a focus on the upstream to fix things before they happen.  How can we stop firefighting and be proactive? And how far upstream can we go? 

    The three key takeaways in the book to focus upstream are: 

    1. “Be impatient for action but patient for outcomes.”  Quoting Maureen Bisognano,  Heath says, “Change won’t come without action.”  And it also won’t come without patient diligence. 

    2. “Macro starts with micro.”  The key takeaway here is that you can’t fix big problems without getting close to them. “You can’t help a thousand people, or a million until you understand how to help one.”  You have to name the person(s) and the problem by getting “proximate”. 

    3. “Favor scoreboards over pills.” “The problem comes when the obsession with testing becomes a hindrance to scale and learning.”  You’ve got to be able to pivot once your impatient actions and microfocus tell you that a different direction is needed to get the outcomes and macro picture desired.   Ask yourself, “How can we make progress this week?” “Take ownership of the problem and start slogging forward.” 

    The downstream problem I deal with the most in the work we do is workplace disengagement. Gallup estimates that the cost of disengagement in the U.S. is $450-550 billion per year.  The cost comes in many forms, such as turnover and loss of productivity, but this figure only quantifies the cost to business. It does not quantify the cost to individuals experiencing a misalignment in their job and/or organizational choices.  

    Can you name someone (getting proximate) that has suffered the negative effects of hating what they do and where they do it?  You may be able to name yourself.   And if you can name someone or yourself, you know what negative effects come by working for the wrong organization because of workplace misalignment. 

    We are working now through impatient action and scorecards, not pills to help tackle the disengagement problem with MatchFIT.  In seeking to help individuals and organizations find the right fit, we are workplace matchmakers.   We start upstream at the beginning of the hiring process, and our goal is to make the workplace better through meaningful employment relationships. 

    We will be pitching our idea on Thursday, June 11th via the Alabama Launchpad competition. You can join us on Alabama Launchpad and EDPA’s (the host of the program) website and social channels to learn more about the details of our upstream effort.  The event starts at 6:00 pm and we are scheduled to pitch at 6:40 pm.

    What problem are you trying to tackle upstream? 

  • What’s Up? Events and News

    What’s Up? Events and News

    UPCOMING EVENTS

    Horizon Point partners with organizations across the Southeast (and beyond!) to provide group training and events that are typically open to the public. Members of our team speak at conferences, workshops, professional development programs, and more. After most events, we will share resources here on this page. Check back for where to find us next and contact us today about speaking to your group!

    Learn More & Register

    KEYNOTE SESSION
    with Mary Ila Ward

    Southern Automotive Conference
    Von Braun Center South Hall
    Huntsville, AL
    October 8, 2025

    Celebrating the South’s excellence in automotive manufacturing, the Southern Automotive Conference (SAC) combines top-notch programming on automotive’s hottest headlines, high-energy networking opportunities and a buzzing exhibit hall. And Mary Ila is the keynote speaker!

    Join Horizon Point at SAC25 in Huntsville on October 8 for Mary Ila’s Keynote Session: Driving Workforce Excellence in a Changing World 

    Learn More & Register

    ACTE Region II Conference

    Career Tech Education Conference
    Fayetteville, GA
    September 10-12, 2025

    ACTE Regional Conferences provide professional development opportunities that can advance your knowledge and skills in CTE and leadership development. They are designed for CTE leaders to: CONNECT with other educators from across their region to learn about best practices and new innovations; COLLABORATE on strategies for expanding access to high-quality CTE and addressing shared challenges; CELEBRATE extraordinary CTE programs and educators.

    Horizon Point is a proud exhibitor at the event!

    Northeast Alabama Chapter of Credit Unions
    VENDOR NIGHT

    Holiday Inn Huntsville-Research Park
    Huntsville, AL
    September 11, 2025

    The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU) represents nearly 300 credit unions in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, with a combined total of $189 billion in assets and more than 12.4 million members. LSCU provides advocacy, compliance services, education and training, cooperative initiatives, and communications.

    Horizon Point is a proud exhibitor at the NEAL Chapter Vendor Night! 

    RECENT EVENTS

    Register

    Professional Development for CTE Educators
    with Taylor Simmons

    MS ACTE Summer Conference
    Biloxi, MS
    July 15, 2025 at 3:00pm in room L7

    ACTE Regional Conferences provide professional development opportunities that can advance your knowledge and skills in CTE and leadership development. They are designed for CTE leaders to: CONNECT with other educators from across their region to learn about best practices and new innovations; COLLABORATE on strategies for expanding access to high-quality CTE and addressing shared challenges; CELEBRATE extraordinary CTE programs and educators.

    Horizon Point is a proud sponsor of the event, and Taylor Simmons will be speaking about “Creating a Professional Development Game Plan for CTE Professionals.”

    Resources:

    Preventing Workplace Violence
    with Lorrie Coffey

    TVC-SHRM
    June 11, 2025
    Decatur, AL

    In this lunch and learn, Lorrie will share insights from OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics on workplace violence to help you recognize risks, understand employer responsibilities, and promote a safer work environment.
    Resources: 
    Register

    Make it Fun! Bringing Your Board Back to Life
    with Jillian Miles Massey

    Association for Talent Development (ATD)
    Chapter Leaders Conference
    May 16-17, 2025
    Washington, D.C.

    This session explores the transformative power of creating an environment where local nonprofit board members don’t just work together—they thrive together. By weaving elements like play, relationship-building, passion, and inclusivity into board culture, leaders can unlock deeper connections, inspire innovative ideas, and build an atmosphere that draws in new talent and retains committed board members.
    Register

    GO Rocket City! Rock Your Relationships
    with Jillian Miles Massey

    Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
    June 18, 2025
    5:00-7:00pm
    Huntsville, AL

    Gather with your fellow interns to learn best practices in meaningful networking and relationship building. This event is part of the 2025 GO Rocket City! Intern Program.

    In partnership with FuelAL and Innovate Alabama, the GO Rocket City! Intern Program will feature a series of social, service, and professional development events for interns and college students living and working in the Huntsville area this summer. Interns and students will have the opportunity to connect with fellow interns across the region, while learning from business and industry leaders and experiencing all that the Rocket City has to offer them.

    Sign up to attend program events, and opt in to mentorships and statewide events using the link here: 2025 FuelAL Intern Program: GO Rocket City

    Coffee & Collisions
    with Mary Ila Ward and Brantley Fry

    Innovation Depot & EDPA
    May 13, 2025
    Birmingham, AL

    Join us Tuesday, May 13 from 8:30–9:30 AM at Innovation Depot for a fresh brew and a fresh perspective on building your dream team. Mary Ila Ward and Brantley Fry, J.D. (TechCXO) will share tactical advice in “Build the Team, Build the Dream” — a founder’s guide to hiring, culture, and people practices from day one to scale. Come for the coffee, stay for the insights. See you there!

    Resources

    Register

    Who Cares About Ethics?
    with Lorrie Coffey

    Alabama Society for Human Resource Management (ALSHRM)
    Annual Conference & Expo
    May 12-14, 2025
    Orange Beach, AL

    This session will explore the true meaning of ethics in the workplace, debunking common myths and emphasizing the importance of honesty, fairness, and integrity. Participants will learn practical steps for making ethical decisions and how to lead by example, fostering a culture of inclusivity and trust. The session will also address how to manage and communicate ethical expectations, empowering attendees to navigate complex situations with confidence.

    Let’s Talk Strategic Planning!
    with Mary Ila Ward

    Leadership Greater Huntsville
    Management Academy
    May 6, 2025

    Tired of strategy sessions that go nowhere? This hands-on workshop brings planning to life with practical tools, real-world examples, and plenty of interaction. Designed for emerging leaders, we’ll walk through where your organization is now, where it’s headed, and how you can help steer the ship. You’ll tackle SWOT analysis, define what really matters (hello, mission and values!), and learn how to align your day-to-day with the big picture. Come ready to think, share, stick notes, and get strategic—without falling asleep at the table.
    Register

    Professional Development for CTE Educators
    with Mary Ila Ward

    ACTE Region IV Conference
    Oklahoma City, OK
    April 23-25, 2025

    ACTE Regional Conferences provide professional development opportunities that can advance your knowledge and skills in CTE and leadership development. They are designed for CTE leaders to: CONNECT with other educators from across their region to learn about best practices and new innovations; COLLABORATE on strategies for expanding access to high-quality CTE and addressing shared challenges; CELEBRATE extraordinary CTE programs and educators.

    Horizon Point is a proud sponsor of the event, and Mary Ila will be speaking about “Professional Development for CTE Educators”.

    Resources:

    Register

    Dare to Lead with Grace
    with Jillian Miles Massey

    Dare Conference @ Mississippi State University
    Undergraduate Women in Business (UWiB)
    April 11, 2025

    Dare Conference is for ​students, faculty, alumni and ​professionals with an interest ​in business and a desire to ​connect with like-minded ​women. Jillian will be speaking about “Dare to Lead with Grace” – remembering the humanity of ourselves as we grow in our careers.

    Register

    The Relationshipping Revolution
    with Emily Collins & Jillian Miles Massey

    Shoals SHRM
    Monthly Meeting
    March 13, 2025

    The Relationship Revolution offers practical tools for building authentic, lasting connections. Learn how to foster relationships through gratitude, humility, and a people-first mindset, with actionable techniques like storytelling, thank-you notes, and meaningful check-ins. Discover strategies to expand your network authentically and create deeper connections within your community.

    Resources:

    Register

    Who Cares About Ethics?
    with Jillian Miles Massey

    Wiregrass HR Management Association (WHRMA)
    Monthly Meeting
    March 12, 2025

    This session will explore the true meaning of ethics in the workplace, debunking common myths and emphasizing the importance of honesty, fairness, and integrity. Participants will learn practical steps for making ethical decisions and how to lead by example, fostering a culture of inclusivity and trust. The session will also address how to manage and communicate ethical expectations, empowering attendees to navigate complex situations with confidence.

    Resources:

    Register

    The People First Method
    with Jillian Miles Massey

    Women’s Economic Development Council
    Leadership Training Luncheon
    February 13, 2025

    The People First Method offers practical tools for building authentic, lasting connections. Learn how to foster relationships through gratitude, humility, and a people-first mindset, with actionable techniques like storytelling, thank-you notes, and meaningful check-ins. Discover strategies to expand your network authentically and create deeper connections within your community.

    Resources:

    What’s Relationshipping, and How Do I Do It?
    with Jillian Miles Massey

    Leadership Greater Huntsville
    January 14, 2025

    Networking establishes connection. Relationshipping builds bridges and two-way streets with sidewalks and wildflowers! When we relationship (yes, we’re using it as a verb), we have a sense of belonging. Belonging feeds engagement, creativity, and passion, which generate business success and real community impact. Come relationship with us!

    Resources:

    Alabama State Department of Education: Career Coach Conference

    Bryant Conference Center, Tuscaloosa, AL
    January 14-16, 2025

    Horizon Point is proud to sponsor the Career Coach Conference, hosted by the Alabama State Department of Education and CTE Alabama! We will be on site in the exhibit hall, and we’d be thrilled to talk with you about Career & Technical Education (CTE) continuing education opportunities, like our Facilitating Career Development (FCD) and School Career Development Advisor (SCDA) Training.

    ARCHIVES

    Events Archive: 2024

    2024 Women in Business Celebration

    Decatur Morgan County Chamber
    November 21, 2024

    Horizon Point is a proud sponsor of the Decatur Chamber’s 20th Women in Business Celebration. The luncheon will also feature the presentation of the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award, an honor presented across the world by Chambers of Commerce, women’s organizations and universities.

    Mary Ila Ward

    Prior to the luncheon, the Chamber is hosting a Professional Development conference featuring Mary Ila as a speaker: “How to be (Im)Perfect: Embracing the Complexity of Leadership”. Mary Ila’s session begins at 9:30am.

    Session Resources

    2024 Breakfast & Biz 4th Quarter

    Jillian Miles Massey
    November 21, 2024

    Description: Join Jillian  at the Decatur Morgan County Chamber’s next Breakfast & Biz event at The Magnolia Room. She will help you unlock your team’s creative potential by teaching you how to coach and guide them through innovative problem-solving techniques.

    Resources: 

    Alabama Talent Development Conference

    Mary Ila Ward
    November 8, 2024

    Description: Calling all Talent Developers! This year’s ALTDC features content hitting all 3 ATD Capabilities, and Mary Ila’s session will look at effective (and realistic) talent development strategies. Horizon Point is also proud to be a Silver Sponsor for this event.

    Resources:

    University of Alabama HR Management Conference

    “Turning the Tide: Tackling Toxicity in the Workplace”
    Lorrie Coffey & Jillian Miles Massey
    October 30, 2024

    Description: The Annual HRM Conference is designed to develop the full range of skills and knowledge vital to the success of the contemporary human resource professional. Presented by experienced human resource and employment law experts from across the state, this conference is consistently referred to as a “must attend” event!

    MASA Fall 2024 Annual Business Meeting and Leadership Conference

    “Training & Development Toolbox for Administrators”
    Taylor Simmons
    October 21, 2024

    Description: Join us for an engaging session designed to enhance leadership and career development within your school system. Taylor’s workshop will provide practical tools and strategies to support both your professional journey and the growth of your team and the students you serve.

    Resources

    Alabama Employment Law & Compliance Conference

    “Violence in the Workplace”
    Lorrie Coffey
    October 11, 2024

    Description: Do you ever ask yourself “What do these HR legislations mean?”, “How do I remain compliant?” If so, you’re not alone! Join us  to hear from leading experts about topics including FLSA updates, affirmative action obligations, best practices to mitigate risk, and more! Lorrie’s session will focus on preventing and managing instances of violence in the workplace, referring to legislation and best practices.

    Resources

    AARC Conference

    Recruitment & Retention: What Got You Here Won’t Get You There!
    Lorrie Coffey
    October 8, 2024

    Description: The Alabama Association of Regional Councils is hosting their annual Training Conference in Huntsville on October 6-9. Lorrie and Mary Ila will be hitting two big topics: Recruitment & Retention and Leadership in the “New Normal”. If you work for a COG in Alabama, come hang out with us!

    Resources

    AARC Conference

    Leading Staff in the New Normal
    Mary Ila Ward
    October 8, 2024

    Description: The Alabama Association of Regional Councils is hosting their annual Training Conference in Huntsville on October 6-9. Lorrie and Mary Ila will be hitting two big topics: Recruitment & Retention and Leadership in the “New Normal”. If you work for a COG in Alabama, come hang out with us!

    Resources

    NACC WFD HR & Leadership Conference

    Recruitment & Retention: What’s New?
    Jillian Miles Massey
    October 3, 2024

    Description: Hear from industry experts as they discuss hot HR topics affecting Northeast Alabama and beyond. Jillian’s session will focus on current trends and best practices related to recruitment and retention that map to organizational success. Join us!

    Resources

    Leadership Greater Huntsville

    “Relationshipping: Building and Sustaining Meaningful Connections”
    Jillian Miles Massey
    July 30, 2024

    Go Rocket City! Summer Intern Program

    “Best Practices for Networking and Communication”
    Jillian Miles Massey
    June 18, 2024

    AACE Summer Conference

    “Big Partnerships, Big Impact”
    Mary Ila Ward
    July 24, 2024

    Alabama CTE Summer Professional Development Conference

    Marketing Your Programs
    Taylor Simmons
    July 24, 2024

    SHE Means Business Conference

    Panel: Dealing with the Unexpected
    Mary Ila Ward
    June 11, 2024

    Huntsville Young Professionals

    “Crafting Your Professional Blueprint”
    Jillian Miles Massey
    May 23, 2024

    Resources

    SLIDES

    NAVIGATE
    Jillian Miles Massey
    Panel on Succession Planning
    May 7, 2024

     

     

    Description: NAVIGATE Nonprofit Network Conference is an annual event that encourages nonprofit board members, staff, and volunteers to learn from and strengthen each other. This affordable, high-quality professional development across a wide range of topics connects nonprofit leaders with the strategies that will help them navigate challenges and help their organizations thrive.

    Register

    Marshall County SHRM Spring Workshop
    Horizon Point Consulting
    April 17, 2024

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Resources

    One Workforce & Change Management Slides
    4 Ways to Help Change Happen When Change is Hard
    3 Steps for Leading Through Pressure and Change
    Change Management: Celebrating the Small Victories
    Switch by Chip and Dan Heath
    Switch Framework

    Who Are You Bringing Up (Or Down) With You Slides
    How to Be (Im)Perfect Worksheets
    How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur
    Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

    NASHRM Spring Workshop
    Handling Toxicity in the Workplace
    Lorrie Coffey
    April 9, 2024

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Register

    Slides

    AL Summit on Talent Retention and Work-Based Learning
    Workforce Challenges and Solutions
    Mary Ila Ward
    April 8, 2024

     

     

     

     

    Resources:

    Limestone County SRHM
    Emotional Intelligence
    Lorrie Coffey
    March 20, 2024

     

     

    TVC SHRM
    Who Are You Bringing Down (or UP) With You
    Jillian Miles Massey
    March 13, 2024

     

     

    Description:

    • How professional and personal relationships are impacted through negativity, dismissiveness, and disregarding others’ ideas and contributions
    • Practical tools, tips, and tricks to focus efforts and communication on bringing others UP
    BBB North Alabama
    Thriving Workplaces: Psychological Safety & Relationshipping
    Lorrie Coffey & Jillian Miles Massey
    March 6, 2024

    Resources
    Slide Deck: Psychological Safety in the Workplace
    TEDx: Amy Edmondson on Psychological Safety
    Psychological Safety Handout
    Slide Deck: Meeting Relational Needs @ Work
    Blog: Building the Bridge Between Survive and Thrive in the Workplace
    NLI SCARF Social Motivation Assessment
    Clip: Amistad – What is their story?

     

    ATD Birmingham
    Blending ADDIE with Design Thinking
    Jillian Miles Massey
    February 26, 2024

     

    Description: Let’s innovate Instructional Design! ADDIE is a sound and proven process for creating effective training, while design thinking is a problem-solving mindset. What if we combined them?! Design thinking can boost the ADDIE process in several ways, including helping you truly understand the problem you’re solving; helping you develop empathy for stakeholders, including learners; and ensuring your solution will work before you start developing it.

    Resources: 

    Slide Deck
    Worksheets

    UA Professional Development Division
    Respectful Workplace and Sexual Harassment
    Lorrie Coffey
    February 15 & 23, 2024

     

     

     

     

    Leadership Greater Huntsville – Management Academy

    How to Illuminate Your Workforce: Meeting Survive and Thrive Needs
    Mary Ila Ward
    February 14, 2024

    Resources:

    Huntsville Young Professionals

    “New Year, New ResuME”
    Jillian Miles Massey
    February 6, 2024

    Description: Join us for an engaging and informative Professional Resume Interactive Workshop hosted by Jillian Miles Massey from Horizon Point Consulting. This workshop is designed to help you craft a compelling resume that showcases your unique skills and experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to update your CV or a recent graduate entering the job market, this event is tailored to meet your needs.

    Resources:

    BBB Lunch & Learn

    Basics of Leadership & Leaders As Career Agents
    Jillian Miles Massey
    February 6, 2024

    Description: Better Business Bureau of North Alabama is hosting a Leadership Development Workshop for First-Time Supervisors. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, February 6th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Redstone Federal Credit Union Twickenham Center, 200 Davis Circle SW, Huntsville, AL 35801.

    SHOALS SHRM

    “Where Have All The People Gone?”
    Mary Ila Ward
    January 11, 2024

    Resources:

    Leadership Greater Huntsville – Management Academy

    “What’s Relationshipping, and How Do I Do It?”
    Jillian Miles Massey
    January 9, 2024

    AFWA Huntsville and IIA North Alabama Conference

    “One Workforce: Understanding Yourself & Others”
    Jillian Miles Massey
    January 9, 2024

    Events Archive: 2023

    ANEW Quarterly Networking Meeting
    What’s Relationshipping, and How Do I Do It?
    Jillian Miles Massey
    December 19, 2023

     

     

     

    Description: Networking establishes connection. Relationshipping builds bridges and two-way streets with sidewalks and wildflowers! When we relationship (yes, we’re using it as a verb), we have a sense of belonging. Belonging feeds engagement, creativity, and passion, which generate business success and real community impact. Come relationship with us!

    Resources:
    Relationshipping Slides
    “Relationshipping – The New Networking”
    “Stop Networking and Start Relationshipping”
    Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
    Atlas of the Heart

    BBB North Alabama
    DiSC Refresh! Training
    Jillian Miles Massey
    December 13, 2023

     

    Description: The DiSC Workplace Assessments helps participants build self-awareness to understand their personal work style and understand others’ personality and style. The profile is then used to facilitate training to help participants apply their self-awareness and awareness of others to build better working relationships and outcomes. In this Refresh! training, we will (re)learn DiSC concepts and apply them to current workplace situations.

    Resources

    DiSC Overview One Pager
    DiSC Refresh! Slides

    Management Academy (MA-14)
    What Make’s a Good Team? Psychological Safety!
    Jillian Miles Massey
    November 14, 2023

    Description: What makes a team successful? Why can one team build lasting competitive advantage for an organization while another just creates dysfunction? Research tells us that the number one thing that separates successful from unsuccessful teams is the presence of psychological safety. It isn’t about how smart we are or about how teams are organized or structured, it’s about how we treat one
    another. Psychological safety is a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking. In psychologically safe teams, team members feel accepted and respected..

    Resources: 

    SHRM INCLUSION 2023
    Why We Cringe at the Word “Accomodation”
    Lorrie Coffey
    October 30-November 1, 2023

     

    Register

    Description: Join us at SHRM INCLUSION 2023 where you will take away the tools, best practices, and actionable solutions to build a positive, inclusive, and innovative culture in your workplace. Not only will you gain knowledge on how to boost employee satisfaction, but you’ll also learn how to positively affect your organization’s bottom line and empower individuals to reach their full potential. At INCLUSION 2023 you will obtain practical applications to help you expand your thinking, foster inclusiveness, and increase your cultural awareness to become an even stronger diversity, equity, and inclusion champion. In-person and virtual pass options are available.

    Resources: 

    UA HRM Conference 2023
    Survive, Thrive and Illuminate: Innovating Workplace Wellness and Wellbeing
    Jillian Miles Massey & Lorrie Coffey
    October 27, 2023

     

     

     

    Register

    Madison Chamber of Commerce &  Catalyst
    “Quiet Quitting: How to prevent staff turnover proactively”
    Jillian Miles Massey
    October 25, 2023

     

     

     

    Register

    2023 Annual AARC Training Conference
    Graceful Accountability
    Evaluating Performance from the Perspective of Supervisor versus Employee
    Mary Ila Ward
    October 10, 2023

     

    Resources:

    2023 Annual AARC Training Conference
    Building a Psychologically Safe Workplace
    Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
    Lorrie Coffey
    October 9, 2023

     

    Athens State SHRM
    Panel: Entering the Workforce as a Newly Graduated HR Professional
    Jillian Miles Massey
    September 28, 2023

     

     

     

     

     

     

    HR Florida Conference & Expo
    How to Think and Act Like a Scientist-Practitioner:
    Applying Research and Experimentation to HR
    Mary Ila Ward
    August 27-30, 2023

     

    Description:

    The HR Florida Conference & Expo is presented annually by the HR Florida State Council, a state affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).  This is one of the largest HR conferences in the southeastern United States attracting over 1,500 human resources professionals and vendors from throughout the state and across the globe.

    Representing virtually every industry and size of business, this is the place to be for professionals to network, grow, and learn about the human resources industry. You also have the opportunity to earn maximum credits for both the HR Certification Institute and SHRM Competencies Certifications.

    Register

    Resources:

    AACE Summer Conference
    How to Live on Purpose as a Career Agent
    Jillian Miles Massey & Taylor Simmons
    July 25-27, 2023

     

    Description:

    We are excited to gather together this summer as peers from institutions of higher education and industry across the State of Alabama as we connect, develop, and empower one another for the betterment of our state’s workforce. Join us as we reflect on our past in Alabama’s capital city to strengthen our resolve for working together to build a better tomorrow for our state.

    Register

    NCDA 2023 Conference
    Best Practices for Facilitating Career Development with Diverse Populations and Inclusive Pathways
    Taylor Simmons & Jillian Miles Massey
     June 27-July 1, 2023

     

     

     

    Description: The DEI Symposium is curated information on the latest trends and issues facing Career Service Professionals around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility (DEIBA). At the event there will be a DEI Panel providing a State of the Union regarding DEIBA along with small group discussions to network and learn best practices from professionals on the front line of this most important work.

    Register

     ALSHRM 2023
    Leading with Emotional Intelligence
    Lorrie Coffey
     May 15-17, 2023

     

     

     

     

    Description: Our great line-up of Human Resources speakers & sessions, #ALSHRM23 will be an event that you won’t want to miss! Join us May 15-17th, 2023 in Orange Beach to learn from the top HR experts and develop the strategies you need to succeed.

    Individual Registration

    Team Registration

    Department Registration


    Resources:

    Leading with EQ ALSHRM 2023.pptx

     Workforce Development Conference
    Impacting the Labor Participation
     Mary Ila Ward
     May 8-10, 2023

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Description: Workforce development professionals from across the nation are invited to join us to unmask your potential through professional development, sharing best practices, developing new partnerships, and learning about potential solutions to issues in your area. Enhance your skills to be the best resource in helping your customers in unmasking their potential.

    Register to attend in New Orleans

    Register to attend virtually

    NAVIGATE
    What’s Relationshipping, and How Do I Do It?
     Jillian Miles Massey
     

     

    Description: Networking establishes connection. Relationshipping builds bridges and two-way streets with sidewalks and wildflowers! When we relationship (yes, we’re using it as a verb), we have a sense of belonging. Belonging feeds engagement, creativity, and passion, which generate business success and real community impact. Come relationship with us!

    Resources

    Slide Deck
    Article: Cornerstone CoWorking on Relationshipping
    Article: Stop Networking, Start Relationshipping
    Reclaiming Conversation by Sherry Turkle
    Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown

     AAMA-Southern Automotive Quality Summit
     Panel on Workforce Skills & Challenges for Shift to EVs
     Mary Ila Ward
     April 24-25, 2023

     

     

    Description: Now in its sixth year, the Southern Automotive Quality Summit is a unique collaboration between the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association and the Automotive Industry Action Group.

    Register

     Athens State SHRM
     HR Leadership
     Jillian Miles Massey
     April 18, 2023

     

     

     

     

     SHOALS SHRM-APRIL MEETING
     Graceful Accountability:
    Inspiring results by putting people first
     Jillian Miles Massey
     April 13, 2023

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Resources:
    Graceful Accountability slides
    HPC Psychological Safety Handout
     “3 Ways to Lead with Grace” Blog Post

     NASHRM-Spring Half Day Workshop
     What’s Behind Door #2?
     Pulling Back the Curtain on  Recruiting
     Mary Ila Ward
     March 21, 2023

     

     

     

     

     

    Resources:
    Wages Podcast
    Living Wage Calculator
    Cost of Turnover Dummy Data Example
    Realistic Job Previews
    Wanted: Shorter time-to-hire
    Labor Force Shrinking

    Leadership Greater Huntsville Management Academy
    Instagram vs. Reality: Motivation
    Jillian Miles Massey
    February 14, 2023

     

     

     

     

    Resources:
    Instagram vs Reality Motivation LGH MA
    HPC Motivators Checklist
    HPC Leaders as Career Agents Form

    2023 EDAA Winter Conference
    Montgomery, AL
    January 30-February 1, 2023

     

     

    Alabama HR Innovation Day — Auburn, AL
    “Who’s on First? Solving the Talent Development Puzzle”
    Jillian Miles Massey
    January 25, 2023

     

     

     

     

     

    Description: Live professional development focused on HR innovative insights and best practice sharing. Grow your knowledge, your network, and discover your workplace’s next innovative HR solution.

    Register

    Leadership Greater Huntsville Management Academy
    How to Illuminate Your Employees
    Mary Ila Ward
    January 10, 2023

     

     

     

     

     

    Resources:
    7 Ways to Complete the Stress Cycle
    HBR Autonomy Article
    Accomplishment Lists Worksheet

    Events Archive: 2022

    Work-Life Integration
    Women in Business Summit
    Jillian Miles Massey
    December 14, 2022

     

     

    Resources:

    Slides (PDF)
    Women in the Workplace 2022 – LeanIn.Org
    “Great Performers Make Their Personal Lives a Priority”
    “Are You Focusing on What’s Important?”
    Leading the Life You Want – Stew Friedman

     

    Alabama Workforce Council Public Private Partnership (PPP) Committee Meeting

    When:  November 16, 2022

     

     

    Keynote:
    Breakout:

    Organizational Effectiveness: How to Meet Survival Needs to Create a Thriving Workplace (3 Part Series)
    Lorrie Coffey & Jillian Miles Massey
    October 24 & 25, 2022

     

     

     

     


    Graceful Accountability
    Jillian Miles Massey
    68th Annual Human Resources Management Conference
    October 27, 2022, at 11 am

     

     

     

     

    Description: Hosted by The University of Alabama, the Human Resources Management Conference is designed to develop the full range of skills and knowledge vital to the success of the contemporary human resource professional. Presented by experienced human resource and employment law experts from around the state and across the country, this conference is consistently referred to as a must-attend event!

     

    2022 BBJ Women’s Summit

    Date: September 23, 2022

    Time: 8:00 am-2:00 pm

     

     

    Description: Join the BBJ for a high-energy day filled with renowned keynote speakers, networking, exhibitors, and conversations that will leave attendees with the tools they need to be successful in their personal and professional lives.

     

    Feed Your Future: Feedback & Feedforward
    Tennessee SHRM Conference
    September 13-15, 2022

     

    Saving Your Organization from the Great Resignation
    Tennessee SHRM Conference
    September 13-15, 2022

     

    Building a Psychologically Safe Workplace
    Shoals SHRM Chapter Meeting
    Florence, AL
    September 8, 2022

     

    Description: What makes a team successful? Why can one team build lasting competitive advantage for an organization while another just creates dysfunction? Research tells us that the number one thing that separates successful from unsuccessful teams is the presence of psychological safety. It isn’t about how smart we are or about how teams are organized or structured, it’s about how we treat one another. Psychological safety is a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking. In psychologically safe teams, team members feel accepted and respected.

    hrflorida ad

    How to Actually DO Succession Planning
    HR Florida Conference
    Orlando, FL
    August 28-31, 2022

     

    Description: Succession planning is imperative for any organization to set strategic plans and effectively prosper and grow. Yet it is often seen as a nebulous concept which creates challenges in execution. This session will walk through a three-step process to create and implement succession plans for any size company- from the HR department of one to the global enterprise organization. A real life case study will be used to illustrate the application of this process.

    Huntsville’s Top Talent: Benefits That Work
    Jillian Miles Massey
    Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
    August 11, 2022

     

    Description: Hear from industry experts as they discuss recruitment and retention through the lens of benefits. Presenters from Horizon Point Consulting, J. Smith Lanier, and Keel Point will discuss current trends and best practices related to benefits that align to employee’s wants and needs.

    Alabama Association of Colleges & Employers
    Annual Conference
    Jillian Miles Massey & Taylor Simmons
    July 26-28, 2022

     

    Description: Horizon Point will be speaking about the work we do in the state of Alabama, and Jillian will be serving on a special panel.

    EDAA Annual Conference
    Jillian Miles Massey
    July 24-27, 2022

     

    Description: Horizon Point Consulting will be exhibiting. Come see us!

    North Central Alabama Wage and Benefit Survey Highlights
    Jillian Miles Massey
    North Alabama SHRM
    July 12, 2022

     

     

    Description: Join us for the July NASHRM Meeting and hear a brief overview of the 2022 Wage and Benefit Survey Results


    HR Toolbox: Building a Psychologically Safe Workplace
    Jillian Miles Massey
    The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship
    June 21, 2022

     

     

    Description:

    What makes a team successful? Why can one team build a lasting competitive advantage for an organization while another just creates dysfunction Research tells us that the number one thing that separates successful from unsuccessful teams is the presence of psychological safety. It isn’t about how smart we are or about how teams are organized or structured, it’s about how we treat one another. Psychological safety is a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. In psychologically safe teams, team members feel accepted and respected.

    This workshop will prepare you to:

    • Understand what psychological safety is and why it is important
    • Assess the level of psychological safety in their workplace/team
    • Engage in activities and practice to increase psychological safety
    • Deploy and practice ways to address team conflict and increase diversity and inclusion teams and workplaces

    Register


    HR Toolbox: Skill vs. Will
    Jillian Miles Massey
    The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship
    May 17, 2022

     

    Description: So many things can go wrong when we mismatch our leadership to a person’s skill and will. In order to avoid these mistakes, the first thing to do is to correctly diagnose a person’s skill and will level based on the task or job at hand. So what is Skill and what is Will? Join us to learn more!

    Register

    Build Emotional Intelligence Through Feedback and Feedforward – Mary Ila Ward&& Graceful Accountability – Jillian Miles Massey
    May 5, 2022

     

    Description: NAVIGATE Nonprofit Network Conference is an annual event that encourages nonprofit board members, staff, and volunteers to learn from and strengthen each other. This affordable, high-quality professional development across a wide range of topics connects nonprofit leaders with the strategies that will help them navigate challenges and help their organizations thrive.

    Register

    Alabama SHRM Conference & Expo
    How to Actually DO Succession Planning
    May 3, 2022
    Mary Ila Ward

    Description: Succession planning is imperative for any organization to set strategic plans and effectively prosper and grow. Yet it is often seen as a nebulous concept which creates challenges in execution. This session will walk through a three-step process to create and implement succession plans for any size company- from the HR department of one to the global enterprise organization. A real life case study will be used to illustrate the application of this process.

    Resources

    How to Actually Do Succession Planning Slides
    3 Steps to Actually DO Succession Planning
    WSJ Great Resignation 
    Baby Boomers Retiring

     


    HR Toolbox Series:
    Onboarding & Orientation
    April 19, 2022
    The Catalyst Center for Business & Entrepreneurship (    Virtual)

    Description: For new hires, orientation is a one-time event welcoming them to your company. Onboarding is a series of events (including orientation) that helps them understand how to be successful in their day-to-day job and how their work contributes to the overall business.

    Led by Jillian Miles with Horizon Point Consulting, join us to learn valuable employee management skills that you can apply to your business!

    Building Inclusive Teams
    February 9, 2022
    Birmingham SHRM (    Virtual)

    Event Description: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are at the forefront of our role as HR Leaders. At the forefront of strong DE&I initiatives are inclusive teams. Using research and best practices, this session will help participants understand what leads to inclusive teams then tactically implement one intervention, Encounter Groups, in order to build inclusive workplaces. The session will walk through the implementation of an actual example of this intervention which was designed to break down polarization in the workplace.

    RESOURCES

    AAMA Workforce Executive Roundtable
    Date: January 12, 2022
    Location: Birmingham, AL

     

    Event Description: There are evident challenges in recruiting and retaining a strong workforce, especially in advanced manufacturing and the automotive industry. Why is this so and what can we do about it? In this seminar we will explore:
    • Statewide and regional workforce and economic trends impacting the automotive industry
    • Comparison of trends in the automotive industry to other industries and what we can learn from others
    • What really is a “good” job today and tomorrow? What employees really want and how employers can meet those needs and remain competitive and profitable
    • Innovative approaches to go upstream for building a workforce and workplace of the future including ownership, partnerships, and overcoming barriers to employment through sponsorship

    RESOURCES

    Events Archive: 2021

    aarc-logo-final-large

    Multi-Session Workshop 
    Date: October 24-27, 2021
    Location: AARC Training Conference
    Speaker: Mary Ila Ward

    Event Description: The 2021 Annual AARC Training Conference is for members of the Alabama Association of Regional Councils. Mary Ila’s multi-session workshop will cover:
    • Organizational Marketing & Branding
    • Employee Benefits Beyond Salaries and Cost of Living
    • Bridging the Staff Divide Through Mentorship

    SESSION 1 RESOURCES

    SESSION 2 RESOURCES

    SESSION 3 RESOURCES
    Bridging the Staff Divide Slides

     

     

     

     

    Workforce Challenges and Solutions in the Automotive Industry
    Date: October 14, 2021
    Location: Southern Automotive Conference
    Time: 2:30 PM CDT
    Speaker: Mary Ila Ward

    Event Description: There are evident challenges in recruiting and retaining a strong workforce, especially in advanced manufacturing and the automotive industry. Why is this so and what can we do about it? In this seminar we will explore:
    • Statewide and regional workforce and economic trends impacting the automotive industry
    • Comparison of trends in the automotive industry to other industries and what we can learn from others
    • What really is a “good” job today and tomorrow? What employees really want and how employers can meet those needs and remain competitive and profitable
    • Innovative approaches to go upstream for building a workforce and workplace of the future including ownership, partnerships, and overcoming barriers to employment through sponsorship

     

    RESOURCES

    Networking and Presentation Skills
    Date: October 12, 2021
    Location: SBDC Webinar
    Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30PM CDT
    Speaker: Taylor Simmons

    REGISTER HERE

    Event Description: Networking and Presentation Skills are critical for business professionals. Networking is important to building strong professional relationships. Great presentation skills are also important for success in any role. This training is designed to help leaders and managers become more effective in both their networking and presentation skills. Following the completion of this course, participants will be able to:
    • Assess their communication skills (an important factor in networking and presentations).
    • Understand the key skills for networking success, such as being a good listener, building trust, and being sincere.
    • Identify the qualities needed to create and deliver a clear and effective presentation.
    • Create an action plan for improving networking and presentation skills.

    The course follows an interactive format that caters to various learning styles.

    RESOURCES

     

     

     

     

    3 Steps to Actually DO Succession Planning 
    Date: Monday, August 31st
    Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET
    Location: Miami
    Speaker: Mary Ila Ward

     

    Event Description: Succession planning is imperative for any organization to set strategic plans and effectively prosper and grow. Yet it is often seen as a nebulous concept which creates challenges in execution. This session will walk through a three-step process to create and implement succession plans for any size company- from the HR department of one to the global enterprise organization. A real-life case study will be used to illustrate the application of this process.

     

     

     

     

    3 Methods for Building Inclusive Teams
    Date: Monday, August 30th
    Time: 11:30 AM -12:30 PM ET
    Location: Tallahassee
    Speaker: Mary Ila Ward

     

    Event Description: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are at the forefront of our role as HR Leaders. At the forefront of strong DE&I initiatives are inclusive teams. Using research and best practices, this session will help participants understand what leads to inclusive teams then tactically implement one intervention, Encounter Groups, in order to build inclusive workplaces. The session will walk through the implementation of an actual example of this intervention which was designed to break down polarization in the workplace.

    Download Building Inclusive Teams Slides

    Resources:

     

    Business Writing Workshop
    Date: August 19, 2021
    Time: 11:00am-12:30pm CT

    Event Description: Written communication is critical to any business. From crafting and sending emails, designing marketing materials, submitting proposals, and creating business reports, organizations produce written communication every day. When written communication is done well, it can lead to better insights into your organization, increased business opportunities, and increased employee morale. This course will cover the importance of written communication in business, understanding your audience, types of written business communication, and how to improve your business writing.

     

    AACE Summer Conference
    Tails and Tales of Remote Learning and Engagement
    Date: July 27, 2021
    Time: 1:00-1:45pm CT

    Event Description: Learning and engagement in our workplaces and academic settings looks different now, whether it’s in-person, virtual, or hybrid. We’ve had time to adapt and incorporate new learning and engagement practices that reflect current needs and norms. Join us to hear tips on virtual learning, share resources for virtual or blended environments, and engage with your community about best practices. .

    RESOURCES
  • 6 Ways to Help Create Caring Instead of Callous Leaders

    6 Ways to Help Create Caring Instead of Callous Leaders

    I have the opportunity to coach a lot of middle managers. Quite often they are middle-aged men, and I’m working with them because there is some issue with how they lead (or actually don’t lead) others.   

    Through some type of feedback mechanism, these men are described mildly as “aloof” or “disinterested” (always related to how they are with people, not necessarily the tasks or functions of their job) to more extreme words like “jerk” or “a**hole”. 

    I’m brought in most of the time to try to fix their “personality”. Making them more caring and a better leader of people is my assignment.  

    If the goal is to help them grow and care, I’m up for the task. But the reason they are described in these unappealing ways is often not what it seems. It’s not a personality issue or another fixed trait issue where someone is born less or more caring because of their disposition.  

    Sometimes it’s a skill issue, meaning they just don’t know what they don’t know.  They want to be a leader of people, but they’ve never been taught how to do this.  This means I often help by providing tools, questions, and activities for self-reflection and awareness to help them facilitate positive leadership practices with others. 

    It’s never personality. It’s sometimes skill.  

    But it is almost always an issue of time.  

    You see, middle managers are often pulled in a million different directions. They are hurrying to do something for their boss, to be at the next meeting of which two-thirds or more of their scheduled workday is packed with, to complete a project, to approve someone’s PTO in an inefficient system.   Or trying to make it home in time to help their spouse, care for a child, or make it to another meeting of an organization they are involved within the community. 

    You see they aren’t callous, cold, or a jerk because they are born that way or don’t know how to be caring, they are these things because they are ALWAYS in a hurry and their task list is NEVER done.  

    Quite simply, they don’t have time for their people or don’t feel like they do. So when someone that reports to them comes in and needs to talk to them about an issue with the project they are working on or an issue with a co-worker, or to check on their PTO request for next week that hasn’t been approved yet, they appear at the best aggravated with the person, and at the worst, they act like a downright jerk to him or her. 

    In a classic study aptly titled “The Good Samaritan Study” Princeton researchers examined what conditions impact a group of seminary students actually helping someone. Personality and religious evaluations of each individual in the study were included. Some participants were told they were late for the task they were assigned to do (which was either to talk about the parable of the Good Samaritan or to talk about seminary jobs).  Others were told they had a few minutes to arrive where they needed to across campus for their assignment. 

    In route to give the talk, participants encountered a man obviously in distress. Some helped him, some didn’t. 

    Which ones helped the least?  Personality didn’t impact helping behaviors and neither did “religiousness” like a Samaritan.  Those that helped the least were the ones in a hurry.  In low hurry situations, 63% helped compared to high hurry where only 10% helped. That’s a huge difference. 

    Found in a summary of the conclusions of the study are some key insights: 

    Ironically, a person in a hurry is less likely to help people, even if he is going to speak on the parable of the Good Samaritan…. Maybe that ‘ethics become a luxury as the speed of our daily lives increases’. Or maybe peoples’ cognition was narrowed by the hurriedness and they failed to make the immediate connection of an emergency. 

    Many subjects…. were in a conflict between helping the victim and meeting the needs of the experimenter. Conflict rather than callousness can explain the failure to stop.”

    So, if you are a leader of a middle manager, or honestly anyone this day in age where margins of time seem to be non-existent, work hard to: 

      1. Make sure they know that the most important function of their job is leading those they manage and that the majority of their time should be spent on activities that grow others.  Help those you lead prioritize people over projects.  Quite simply, the best way to do this is by your example. Do you see a man in distress and stop to help? If you don’t, the people who are watching you won’t either. 
      2. Set up conditions that allow people for margins in their day.  Cancel some meetings and give them permission to block time off for focused work where anyone- especially you (the experimenter)- doesn’t bother them or set-up expectations that create a constant state of hurry. 
      3. Give people permission to say no. 
      4. Help people learn and apply proven time management strategies and principles. I particularly like training around Covey’s principles in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and First Things First.
      5. Eliminate as much bureaucracy as you can.  Don’t make people have to get permission from you to do everything. Put systems in place that increase the autonomy and flexibility people have and allow for fluid communication channels where people don’t waste time having to track people down or wait on decisions from above. 
      6. Most of all, model these principles for the people you lead.  If you are always in a hurry you are setting the expectation that they should be too. 

     

    What is the number one reason you become less caring than you should be as a leader? 

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