DISQUS

Bureaucrat and Leaders always struggle with one another when it comes to change. When the struggle is over and the dust is settled, the Leader is left standing.

Frank,

Prior to this year, I could count on my hand how many books I actually read since college. This year, I vowed to read more. I started with a certain number of books, and then noticed that some books are one nighters and others take weeks of reading nightly. I quickly changed my plan to read 5,000 pages this year. I know this isn't as much as many people. I have heard success authors and lecturers mention many many times that they read 50 books a year. This is not happening for me. I have actual work to do. So, I decided on 5,000 pages. I am happy to say that I am well over 3,000 pages gone so far.

I will add this book to the list. It looks good.

We put many of these around the building at the Company I used to work for and many of us went through the training on how to use them. They are EXTREMELY easy to use. Not only easy, but you press like one button and the thing talks you through each step of the way.

Yes, Eva! Better yet, let's print out copies for each and every employee in the company for them to keep in their drawers. Plus - lets make sure we print out and distribute a copy of the 500 page manual to each and every new hire.

I am rolling on the floor!

That is a good one. I think I will use it at my Toastmasters meeting tonight! It illustrates a great point. We don't pay for someones work as much as we pay for his/her expertise.

I agree. Ones true beliefs and desires are revealed by their actions - not their words. People "say" things all the time because it is what they are supposed to "say". It doesn't make it true.

Larry Winget (author of several personal finance books) writes (not his exact words as I do not have a book handy) that if you want to see what a person truly cares about - look where they spend their money. Many people say they care about saving for retirement or for their children's education, but they are just "saying" that. If you want to see what they truly care about, look at where they spend their money. It does not lie.

I see this as being much the same with HR Policies. Actions speak WAY louder than words.

So true. Everyone needs to be "available" to their employees as much as possible. By available, they should physically see you. Email works great - and I use it for most all of my communication. That is no substitute for stopping by to say "how are things going" once in a while. Let the employees know you actually care.

Great tip. Another thing someone once told me that works great at our firm is that whenever possible, follow them out to their car. Peak inside. Usually the condition of the car reflects condition of how they work. If their car is cluttered with McDonald's wrappers and piles of trash in the floor board, they will likely be sloppy on the job as well. They will dress sloppier than everyone else, their work will be sloppier and contain more errors and there general attitude is likely to be more negative.

After I first heard this advice, I started reflecting upon the individuals that I have had work for me in the past. The best employees have always kept their vehicles clean and spotless. The worst - always messy and out of sorts.

I remember a salon client once called the backroom the devil's playground. This is where all the stylist went to "gossip" and destroy the morale of the salon.

Ultimately, the client changed out all the staff (over a few months) and to my knowledge, this does not occur anymore. The current staff has great morale and have all been there for about 5 years.

Gossip can kill morale. And low morale can kill a business.

I agree that many policies should not need to be written, but I do not see any harm in writing them down - especially are the business grows. Everyone needs to protect themselves legally.

I see your comment that you were speaking "in the extreme." Can you provide some examples of what you feel should be written and what you feel should not be?

For instance, should you have a written dress code? If not, what do you do when people come dressed inappropriately for work.

What about vacation and benefits policies?

Ultimately, where do you propose that people draw the line?