Timing can be a key factor when asking for a raise. Here are five excellent opportunities to ask for a raise. The first obvious opportunity is during your annual performance review, provided you have met or exceeded expectations. You should approach your yearly evaluation with the same preparation you would make when interviewing for a new job. In a sense, you are re-interviewing for your current position. Complete th...

In the leadership development work I do with mid- to high-level professionals, we begin by focusing on how to help each individual lead his or her own personal life in more positive and enlivening ways. You can’t lead anything well (including others, projects, growth, or organizational behavior) if you’re not honest, brave, emotionally self-aware and mentally healthy. After all, you’re a person when you sh...

Do you wonder if you’re giving your employees feedback that can help them excel at their jobs — and feel more included? Chances are, we could all improve at giving feedback at work. In fact, one survey found that 64 percent of employees wanted their supervisor to check in with them at least every two weeks. This desire for frequent, steady feedback has even been tied to the demise of the annual review. Who wa...

It’s not a new concept. In the late 1790s, American statesman Thomas Paine called for a universal payment of £15 per year to all his countrymen in exchange for the right to hold private property. First suggested over 200 years ago, the idea of universal basic income never quite went away, and in many circles, it’s actually picking up steam. Progressive Finland is officially the first sovereign na...

For many years during my 18-year corporate career, I remained in a number of roles I disliked, and a few of them were a terrible fit. Now I see now that there were some critical factors that influenced my strong resistance to make the changes I needed to, including worries about money, self-esteem issues, confusion as to what I really wanted, reluctance to start over in a new job, and just plain fear. Now, after two rei...

Picture this: You’re in an important meeting with senior leadership. The CEO is sharing the firm’s strategic plan, including how the company will “leverage big data to gain visibility into market opportunities producing measurable ROI”. Um…what? You do a quick scan around the conference room. Heads nod in agreement as the CEO concludes. Self-doubt kicks in. “Am I the only one who h...

It's a new year, and if you're like most owners, you want to use it as an opportunity to level up your company. Employing new business technology is one way to help your enterprise and your employees be as efficient and productive as possible. But technology for technology's sake could hurt. We are so inundated with new solutions that it's difficult to assess what's truly important. I discussed this i...

When you think about using tech tools in recruiting, what comes to mind? Easing the flood of resumes through an applicant tracking system or scouring LinkedIn for intel on potential recruits? With competition soaring for the best employees, it’s time to think more creatively. Companies are pulling out all the stops to attract top-tier candidates, and experiences and appearances are everything — selling the &l...

Have you ever considered quitting your job and going freelance? In the age of the Internet, there are more ways than ever to make money from the comfort of your sofa. Changing jobs or career direction can be challenging, which is why you should look at the positive and negative aspects in equal measure before making an informed decision. Pro: No Boss Being micromanaged by an over-attentive boss can be stressful and yo...

With the immigration-related political turmoil going on in the United States today–and many areas of the world, for that matter–the workplace is seeing some upheaval already, with the distinct possibility that it will increase over time. How does this affect your career, your job prospects, and the work environments you might encounter? Obviously, this is a touchy subject, and I’m not going to go into t...