Drs. Kevin Meyer and Jeff Foster will participate in a group forum discussing one of the most popular topics in management training and development – managing workers from different generations. Results will be presented that represent a unique and comprehensive examination of generational differences in individual workplace values and interests to test the popular assumption that differences exist between generations. The session will be held Friday, April 27 at the  27^thAnnual SIOP Conference in San Diego.

Companies invest billions of dollars every year in pursuit of the next big idea. But what separates successful companies from competitors is execution – the ability to move from idea to implementation. Aaron Tracy, Hogan COO, discusses execution below.

What is execution?
Put simply, execution is the ability to get stuff done – the link between ideas and results. The best plans in the world are worthless if you can’t pull them off.

What are some important considerations for setting goals?
•    Start with a vision and a mission – goals are how you get there.
•    Goals must support realization of the vision and mission, this seems like a no-brainer, but a lot of people get off track when they’re setting goals.
•    Engage your employees – engaged employees believe in the vision and mission as long as the goals make sense in terms of your company’s culture and values.
•    Goals should be realistic and achievable, and there should be some reward for getting them done.
•    Strategic plans need to reflect the real world (realities of the marketplace, competition and economy) and link to operational plans.
•    Pay attention to feasibility – is your goal realistic in the context of the organization's capabilities?

How do you create buy-in and excitement?
•    Select the right people, put them in the right job, and empower them to execute.
•    Foster an environment of engagement – keep employees apprised of your mission and vision, your goals, and how progress is coming along.
•    Preach the beauty and benefit of the end result.
•    Understand the importance of culture – if your company is committed to doing things the way they’ve always been done, execution is going to be difficult. 

Who do you put in charge?
There are a few questions you should ask when you’re choosing a leader:
•    Do they understand and support the vision?
•    Do they have integrity?
•    Do they have good judgment?
•    Do they have the competence required? Some people are more capable of getting things down than others – they should be the ones in position of authority.

How do you keep people on task?
•    Empower them to analyze, plan, and execute the goal so they own the delivery schedule – as opposed to barking down unrealistic timelines.
•    Understand the team’s values and reward their success throughout the process.
•    Establish clear lines of accountability.

How do you motivate project leaders and employees?
Any standard motivational tool will have short-lived, if any, effect if the team is not bought into the vision and mission and engaged in the project. Motivation is all about engagement, which is all about leadership.

What are typical roadblocks?
•    Dumb goals
•    Bad leadership
•    Flavor of the day influence in setting goals
•    Personal agendas interfering with organizational agendas
•    Accepting poor work or behavior

Do you reward failure? Is there good failure and bad failure?
Successful execution is the result of planning, preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. I’m not sure you reward failure, but you have to be willing to take risks and, therefore, have a tolerance for failure. If you don’t learn anything from failing, then failure is a bigger problem.

For young adults with long-term career aspirations in a creative industry (i.e. advertising, performing arts, design), getting to their dream job can be a challenge. For one, substantial job opportunities do not present themselves often without having prior experience. Further, securing internships to gain such experience can be equally difficult. Not only is it challenging to showcase one’s imagination and creativity through a standard résumé or online application, but some companies still believe interns are hired only to brew coffee and run errands. Why would you need a bright, imaginative candidate for that? Needless to say, it’s easy to see how talented individuals could be overlooked.

Although many organizations are sticking to conventional application methods, some have embraced processes that encourage creativity. Barkley, an advertising agency in the Midwest, uses an alternative process that leverages social media. To apply for an internship opportunity, Barkley asks candidates to submit up to 10 tweets with a designated hashtag that connects the agency to the candidate’s video application, blog entry, favorite site, and more.

Likewise, eager job applicants are challenging the traditional process and differentiating themselves with their résumé. Whether in the format of a Facebook page or an interactive web design, candidates are taking risks to get noticed. To clarify, such unconventional methods will likely have the intended effect when executed in an appropriate context. I might rethink the submission of a video application for a scientific research position.

Beyond these trends, one company has created a process that benefits both intern candidates and organizations. Fast Company released an article this week featuring Intern Sushi, a multimedia site aimed to restructure the internship application and search process within creative industries. Candidates join the site and create a “digital profile” which includes videos, art, and/or music that demonstrates their passion and talent. Additionally, organizations can view candidate profiles, schedule interviews, and track their application process.

When asked how she came up with the Intern Sushi name, CEO and Co-founder, Shara Senderoff, responded “The name says a lot about our attitude. It came from the idea that the attributes of a great intern match those of great sushi: presentation, sophistication, and innovation. Also, with sushi, everyone seems to be really picky about what they eat…Similarly, people should be picky about where they intern, and companies should be picky about who they hire.” This concept applies beyond creative industries and internships. Choose your employees wisely and be selective about where you choose to work. Don’t settle for less.

For young adults with long-term career aspirations in a creative industry (i.e. advertising, performing arts, design), getting to their dream job can be a challenge. For one, substantial job opportunities do not present themselves often without having prior experience. Further, securing internships to gain such experience can be equally difficult. Not only is it challenging to showcase one’s imagination and creativity through a standard résumé or online application, but some companies still believe interns are hired only to brew coffee and run errands. Why would you need a bright, imaginative candidate for that? Needless to say, it’s easy to see how talented individuals could be overlooked.

Although many organizations are sticking to conventional application methods, some have embraced processes that encourage creativity. Barkley, an advertising agency in the Midwest, uses an alternative process that leverages social media. To apply for an internship opportunity, Barkley asks candidates to submit up to 10 tweets with a designated hashtag that connects the agency to the candidate’s video application, blog entry, favorite site, and more.

Likewise, eager job applicants are challenging the traditional process and differentiating themselves with their résumé. Whether in the format of a Facebook page or an interactive web design, candidates are taking risks to get noticed. To clarify, such unconventional methods will likely have the intended effect when executed in an appropriate context. I might rethink the submission of a video application for a scientific research position.

Beyond these trends, one company has created a process that benefits both intern candidates and organizations. Fast Company released an article this week featuring Intern Sushi, a multimedia site aimed to restructure the internship application and search process within creative industries. Candidates join the site and create a “digital profile” which includes videos, art, and/or music that demonstrates their passion and talent. Additionally, organizations can view candidate profiles, schedule interviews, and track their application process.

When asked how she came up with the Intern Sushi name, CEO and Co-founder, Shara Senderoff, responded “The name says a lot about our attitude. It came from the idea that the attributes of a great intern match those of great sushi: presentation, sophistication, and innovation. Also, with sushi, everyone seems to be really picky about what they eat…Similarly, people should be picky about where they intern, and companies should be picky about who they hire.” This concept applies beyond creative industries and internships. Choose your employees wisely and be selective about where you choose to work. Don’t settle for less.

Meet the worrier. The one with the well-worn policy manual and the absurdly large bottle of hand sanitizer on her desk. She prefers structure, routine, and rules. Taking the road less traveled? Forget about it.

In the climb to the top of the ladder, the line between strength and weakness isn’t always clear. The same meticulous, careful nature that helped the worrier early in her career can turn into a crippling fear of failure when the worrier is stressed, bored, tired, or otherwise distracted.

Watch this video to see the worrier at work, or visit www.howdoyouderail.com to view the entire HDS video series. Follow on Twitter @ImHiCautious #howdoyouderail

Meet the worrier. The one with the well-worn policy manual and the absurdly large bottle of hand sanitizer on her desk. She prefers structure, routine, and rules. Taking the road less traveled? Forget about it.

In the climb to the top of the ladder, the line between strength and weakness isn’t always clear. The same meticulous, careful nature that helped the worrier early in her career can turn into a crippling fear of failure when the worrier is stressed, bored, tired, or otherwise distracted.

Watch this video to see the worrier at work, or visit www.howdoyouderail.com to view the entire HDS video series. Follow on Twitter @ImHiCautious #howdoyouderail

From casual Fridays to corporate retreats, companies spend thousands of hours and millions of dollars to develop passionate, committed employees. Yet, according to a recent Gallup poll, more than 71% of employed adults aren’t engaged at work.

In the following Q&A, Dr. Robert Hogan discusses why companies are getting it wrong, and what they can do to improve engagement.

What is engagement?

Employee engagement is a psychological state that is associated with behaviors beneficial to an organization. The psychological opposite of engagement is alienation.

Engagement has four components:
1.    Employees see their job as consistent with their self image – they like themselves when they are at their job;
2.    Employees like the job itself;
3.    Employees work hard at their job;
4.    The job gives employees a sense of meaning and purpose.

Engagement is an ideal state that is rarely ever fully realized.

Why does engagement matter for (a) individuals and (b) companies?

When employees are engaged, they work hard and take pride in their jobs. When they are alienated, they won’t and don’t.

When employees are engaged, absenteeism, turnover, and theft go down, and productivity and customer satisfaction go up. When employees are alienated, absenteeism, turnover, and theft go up, and productivity and customer satisfaction go down.

Measures of engagement are correlated with every important organizational outcome, at both the individual and team level.

A recent Gallup report indicated that 71% of employees in America aren’t engaged at work. How did engagement become such a widespread problem?

Engagement reflects how employees are treated by their immediate bosses. Because 60% to 70% of existing managers don’t understand leadership, they alienate their direct reports and staff.

What is the impact of managers’ derailers on employee engagement?

The term derailer refers to inappropriate interpersonal behavior; managers’ derailers are the principal cause of employee alienation.

Do some derailers have a greater impact on engagement than others?

The 11 derailers identified by the HDS are all associated with different forms of poor leadership, but they all have the effect of destroying employees’ trust in their boss, which then leads to alienation.

How does culture affect engagement?

Cultures that encourage trust in leadership and employee empowerment create engagement; cultures that focus exclusively on the bottom line tend to erode engagement.

What can companies do to drive employee engagement?

There are three steps to driving engagement:
1.    Conduct an engagement survey to determine where things are.
2.    Identify the managers who are killing engagement and give them some training.
3.    Tell the managers who are killing engagement that they will be evaluated in terms of their ability to create engagement.

From casual Fridays to corporate retreats, companies spend thousands of hours and millions of dollars to develop passionate, committed employees. Yet, according to a recent Gallup poll, more than 71% of employed adults aren’t engaged at work.

In the following Q&A, Dr. Robert Hogan discusses why companies are getting it wrong, and what they can do to improve engagement.

What is engagement?

Employee engagement is a psychological state that is associated with behaviors beneficial to an organization. The psychological opposite of engagement is alienation.

Engagement has four components:
1.    Employees see their job as consistent with their self image – they like themselves when they are at their job;
2.    Employees like the job itself;
3.    Employees work hard at their job;
4.    The job gives employees a sense of meaning and purpose.

Engagement is an ideal state that is rarely ever fully realized.

Why does engagement matter for (a) individuals and (b) companies?

When employees are engaged, they work hard and take pride in their jobs. When they are alienated, they won’t and don’t.

When employees are engaged, absenteeism, turnover, and theft go down, and productivity and customer satisfaction go up. When employees are alienated, absenteeism, turnover, and theft go up, and productivity and customer satisfaction go down.

Measures of engagement are correlated with every important organizational outcome, at both the individual and team level.

A recent Gallup report indicated that 71% of employees in America aren’t engaged at work. How did engagement become such a widespread problem?

Engagement reflects how employees are treated by their immediate bosses. Because 60% to 70% of existing managers don’t understand leadership, they alienate their direct reports and staff.

What is the impact of managers’ derailers on employee engagement?

The term derailer refers to inappropriate interpersonal behavior; managers’ derailers are the principal cause of employee alienation.

Do some derailers have a greater impact on engagement than others?

The 11 derailers identified by the HDS are all associated with different forms of poor leadership, but they all have the effect of destroying employees’ trust in their boss, which then leads to alienation.

How does culture affect engagement?

Cultures that encourage trust in leadership and employee empowerment create engagement; cultures that focus exclusively on the bottom line tend to erode engagement.

What can companies do to drive employee engagement?

There are three steps to driving engagement:
1.    Conduct an engagement survey to determine where things are.
2.    Identify the managers who are killing engagement and give them some training.
3.    Tell the managers who are killing engagement that they will be evaluated in terms of their ability to create engagement.

Drs. Robert and Joyce Hogan will be joined by Robert Kaiser of Kaiser Leadership Solutions, Darren Overfield of Kaplan DeVries, Inc, Maret Kassner and Rene Kusch of Metaberatung GmbH, Michael Benson of Johnson & Johnson, and Peter Moser of Swissport International Ltd, to present 4 integrated presentations on the topic of theory-driven, personality-based leadership development.

This session will demonstrate how the socioanalytic theory of personality can inform the development of managers into better leaders. It features an overview of the theory, new research, application models, and a case study of a global project to develop airport managers.

The session will be held Thursday, April 26 at the 27^th Annual SIOP Conference in San Diego.

Drs. Robert and Joyce Hogan will be joined by Robert Kaiser of Kaiser Leadership Solutions, Darren Overfield of Kaplan DeVries, Inc, Maret Kassner and Rene Kusch of Metaberatung GmbH, Michael Benson of Johnson & Johnson, and Peter Moser of Swissport International Ltd, to present 4 integrated presentations on the topic of theory-driven, personality-based leadership development.

This session will demonstrate how the socioanalytic theory of personality can inform the development of managers into better leaders. It features an overview of the theory, new research, application models, and a case study of a global project to develop airport managers.

The session will be held Thursday, April 26 at the 27^th Annual SIOP Conference in San Diego.