Networking in the New Normal – it’s Essential!
Posted by Ken McGovern in Team Development | 0 comments
While 2020 has made it difficult to have in-person conferences, events, and meetings, networking is still an essential part of your career’s success. While it may look a little different right now, more connecting on social media, via email, and through online conferences and meetings, networking has not lost its effectiveness when it comes to both career and business growth.
Experts agree that the most connected people are often the most successful. When you invest in your relationships — professional and personal — it will pay you back in dividends throughout the course of your career and life. Networking will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, keep a pulse on the job market (both for job hunters and hiring managers), meet prospective mentors, partners, and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster your career development and business growth.
Gender Equality in the Workplace – From a Woman’s View (Thank you, Ladies)
Posted by Ken McGovern in Culture, Leadership | 0 comments
With the myriad regulations and laws in place, we shouldn’t still be talking about Gender Equality in the workplace, but we are. Pay equality is vital, and while that’s a big part of the big picture, it’s not the only issue at play. Poor maternity leave policies, sexual harassment, and unconscious bias also top the list of disadvantages preventing women from succeeding and thriving in the workplace. It’s not just a US problem, it’s a global problem.
The Art of a Courageous Leader
Posted by Ken McGovern in Leadership | 0 comments
If the term “Leadership Courage” is new to you, you aren’t alone.
In my eyes, “Leadership Courage” is defined as the art of influencing others while often in the throes of controversy. Courageous leaders don’t look for the easiest path or the simple solutions – they look for the best option even if it’s unpleasant, painful or even terrifying.
The IQ vs EQ Debate: Beyond the Resume
Posted by Ken McGovern in Executive Search, Succession Planning, Team Development | 0 comments
Identifying the RIGHT prospective employee is a journey that goes beyond simply finding resumes that boast high GPAs from highly ranked schools or impressive professional credentials. In fact, I cringe when I think of all the truly qualified people who are overlooked by “black box” online hiring filters just because they are missing a key word in their resume. Technology is great…until it isn’t.
For me, the credentials are important, but they are secondary to the “person.”
On behalf of my clients I phone screen prospective candidates for IQ (Intelligence Quotient) – hard skills, professional experience, job transitions – basically, reviewing what is in black and white on their resume. I am focusing on topics and skills that are teachable, learnable, measurable, and quantifiable. Yes, I need to know that they have the capacity to do the job, but I don’t overlook someone who has never held the position I’m hiring for. It’s about their overall skillset – I’m looking macro, not micro for most searches.
Secrets of an Effective Team
Posted by Ken McGovern in Leadership Development, Team Development | 0 comments
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” – Henry Ford
Ford Motor Company is the second-largest automaker in the U.S and is one of the biggest family businesses in the U.S. It all began with the strong leadership and innovative skills of the company’s founder, Henry Ford. For over 100 years, the Ford family has grown the business from its humble beginnings to worldwide powerhouse. The founder’s great-grandson, William Clay Ford, Jr. serves as the Executive Chairman.
Henry Ford learned early on the power of leadership and an effective team . Like Army Generals, innovators and CEO’s are only as effective as their front-line team.
What we can learn from El Capitan
Posted by Ken McGovern in Executive Search, Leadership | 0 comments
I’d like to think I’m a moderate risk taker – I’m one for taking some good calculated chances here and there. I’m NOT one for even thinking of attempting a free solo climb of El Capitan like Alex Honnold (check out this documentary if you want to bite all your nails off and sit on the edge of your seat with one hand over your eyes and the other hand gripping the arm rest).
The New Normal in Corporate America
Posted by Ken McGovern in Culture, Leadership | 0 comments
We are seeing a huge paradigm shift in corporate business culture where companies are embracing the mindset of Millennials – flexibility, culture fit, community, collaboration and team versus the “way it’s always been is the way we are going to be.” In fact, I believe that shift is our new normal.
Two Quality Candidates – A Nice Problem to Have
Posted by Ken McGovern in Executive Search | 0 comments
Two highly qualified AND likeable job candidate resumes are sitting in front of you. You’ve gone through extensive interviews, background checks, and reference checks on both and now it’s decision time. Enough waffling, enough “Pro and Con” back and forth in your brain – you must choose one or the other.
What Wayne and The Babe Can Teach You About Life
Posted by Ken McGovern in Culture | 0 comments
Wayne Gretzky, retired NHL hockey player, is famed for saying “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. Babe Ruth, famous Red Sox turned Yankees baseball player, has several famous quotes to his name, one of them being, “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”
Don’t Hire Me Until…
Posted by Ken McGovern in Executive Search | 0 comments
Let’s be honest, building out A-Teams for your business isn’t easy. Great talent, great culture, profitable business – we all want it! The issue arises when business owners get impatient with the process. They have a talent gap, they want it filled… yesterday. Unfortunately, when hasty hiring decisions are made to fill a role, a lot of proverbial rocks are left unturned. The result is high turnover and employee morale takes a nose dive.