Why Engagement Matters Now More Than Ever

In an especially good 12/27/25 Wall Street Journal piece (“Companies Are Outlining Plans for 2026. Hiring Isn’t One of Them”), Chip Cutter notes that US business hiring has predictably slowed to a crawl on the cusp of full-blown AI launch, and anticipated corollary job reductions. As a result, many who might otherwise have entertained a […]
So Long, 2025

The year 2025 is about to come to an end. Thank goodness, some would say. On the good side, Unemployment stayed relatively stable, and under the level of full employment. The US economy DID add a significant number of jobs in 2025, just not as many as in each of the last couple of years, […]
Some Thoughts for Leaders On the Front Edge of AI

AI is already replacing jobs, and we’re just at the start of powerful tsunami that promises to wipe out countless more. Have you thought about how, down the road, you’ll fill your middle and senior ranking talent with fewer humans in the developmental levels of your organization?
Motivated People Move Faster

Treating people right, to include with high expectations, is still one of the very best things you can do for your organization’s customers, your bottom line, and yes, your employer reputation. The current practice of firing, unfiring, and refiring federal workers in retaliation for political disagreement is a particularly visible example of what NOT to do to motivate workers.
Making AI-Related Downsizing Suck Less

Good advice on dealing with downsizing caused by the growth of AI tools in the workplace.
On AI and Real, Pulsating Humans

The fact that you CAN whack 300 heads via AI doesn’t mean that you SHOULD.
RTO: A Call for More Thinking, Less Bloviating

Chase’s CEO Jamie Dimon has strong feelings about Return to Office vs Working Remotely. This post suggests leaders should do more thinking about the pro’s and con’s of flexible work arrangements, and less spouting off, based on emotions, but not data.
All Cows Will Please Report to the Barn

Recently, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy gave notice that all AMZN corporate staff were to be back in the barn working in January 2025. (Before anyone sends any inflammatory emails, we’ve used the Cows metaphor for better than 25 years and have gone to great lengths to be clear that we are NOT comparing people to […]
It’s STILL Your People, Stupid!

For all the technological advances we’ve employed in the workplace, there’s still one thing that rises to the top of what really makes or breaks us – what is that? It’s your people!
Coffee Badging Was Only a Matter of Time

Who among us is surprised by the latest salvo to be reported in the remote/hybrid work battle – coffee badging? This is the practice of swiping your badge at the office, coming in long enough to have a cup of coffee, and then retreating to your remote office to continue your work… or not. Just […]