Are You Building Leaders for Tomorrow?

The outlook for future leadership certainly seems bleak, judging from the current landscape managers describe nationwide:

• The 2015 Business and Human Capital Challenges report from the Society of Human Resource Management found that one of the top concerns among HR and business leaders was the development of the next generation of leaders.
• Workplace Trends’ Global Workforce Leadership survey in February and March said that leadership is the hardest skill to find in employees.
• A 2015 Gallup study of 2.5 million manager-led teams found that a mere 18 percent of current managers said their companies had the talent required for leadership.
• Not surprisingly, among the 1,000 employees surveyed by Workplace Trends, only 36 percent said leadership was a strength in their organization.

With the demand for leadership development on the rise, companies are scrambling for solutions that are effective and quick and require a minimal investment of time and money. Fortunately, there is good news.

That news? Leaders are made, not born. While no one is created with leadership in his or her bones, many people in business are ambitious, strong communicators from the start. So, it’s up to employers to determine who shows the motivation and tendency toward leadership -- and then develop it.

But how does an organization find these diamonds in the rough? The answer is, observe how employees communicate, and identify those who seem to be the most motivational team members These young leaders are usually hiding in plain sight. They solve problems creatively, take charge and plan strategies well, and are the people others go to when they have questions or need guidance.

Once these "A" players are found, organizations should cultivate their leadership skills and "grow them" within the company using the following simple techniques:

1. Use technology to educate.

Fires don’t start with roaring flames -- they need kindling, logs, access to air and, finally, a spark. Those who want to learn leadership skills will do so, given the right opportunity andtools. Give them their spark.

Many employers worry about the cost of professional development, which is understandable. Why would they invest time and money into employees who may leave at the drop of a hat? Good news: There are many free online resources employers can offer to their staff to develop their leadership skills. Examples include Coursera, Alison.com, Open Learn, andMindtools.com. MIT even offers an online version of Organizational Leadership and Change, a graduate level university course.

Other resources vary in cost, but may be worth a look. For example, career counselors help employees gain confidence and feel more inspired. They typically use processes and build action plans geared toward goal achievement.

Webinars are also great tools. Professional organizations like the American Management Association offer webinars that are interactive and offer step-by-step guides to learning new skills.

2. Encourage networking and engagement.

Great leaders keep their fingers on the pulse of the industry. A great method for keeping informed is regularly networking and engaging with colleagues.

Teach employees to create professional relationships and confidently initiate conversations. Expanding their networks builds crucial leadership skills like communication and makes them strong representatives for the company.

Refer them to tools like Let’s Lunch, so they can easily coordinate and meet with experts in their field who can help them achieve career success.

In addition to outside experts, focus on internal mentors. The 2016 Deloitte Millennial Survey found that 94 percent of 7,700 respondents surveyed said their mentors' advice was good, and 91 percent said their mentors showed a good level of interest in the their development. When managers can create a relationship with employees that makes the former feel less like a boss and more like a guide or a coach, they can have a great influence on employees.

Establish this dynamic to earn trust and respect. Employees are more apt to listen to and engage with leaders who develop a strong sense of camaraderie on the team. When those employees see an investment of time and energy from their employer, they will reciprocate and show an eagerness to grow in the company.

3. Suggest personal development techniques.

Personal development is a major part of any great leader’s life. Encourage employees to explore techniques in their personal lives to improve their awareness, develop their talents and build human capital while enhancing their quality of life.

There are various tools companies can use -- like exercise.  An April 2015 study from Leeds Metropolitan University found an increase in productivity and satisfaction and improved time management skills when employees exercised during business hours. Encourage exercise regimens and offer flexibility during business hours to provide employees with gym time.

Mindfulness practices are another tool. Yoga, tai chi and meditation are all great for building a sense of "present moment" awareness that helps with decision-making and productivity. There are several free and low cost online resources that can teach meditation, such as Headspace, Calm,Sattva and Buddhify.

These lifestyle choices can increase knowledge and effectively reduce stress and improve productivity. A less-stressed, more productive employee is more apt to learn and develop his or her leadership skills.

Heather R Huhman

13 Behaviors That Prevent You From Moving Up in Your Career

You want the coveted title, the nice office and all the perks that come along with them. So what do you need to do to get there? In fact, it may not be what you need to do, but rather, what you need to not do to advance your career.

Here are 13 behaviors in particular that leave you stuck in a career rut:

1. Showing up late.

Stayed up too late watching your favorite TV show and now you can’t get out of bed when your alarm clock goes off? That’s what services such as Netflix and Hulu are for. You don’t have to stay up to catch the latest episode. Get to bed on time so that you’ll be ready to go on time in the morning.

2. Only doing what you’re paid for.

From time to time, you’ll be asked to do things that aren’t in your job description. Turning them down won’t keep you from getting a paycheck, but it will keep you from proving you’re ready for the next step. Only doing what you were hired to do communicates to your boss that you’re content at your current level.

3. Networking only within your company.

You may work for a great company, but there are other great ones out there too -- and they may be looking for someone to step up and fill the kind of position you dream of. You’ll never know about it unless you talk to people at other companies, so be sure you’re using LinkedIn and other online networks to  supplement your in-person communications.

4. Staying home.

You’re required to be at your desk during office hours, but what about the company picnics, the get-togethers and the Christmas party? No, you won’t be paid for them, but going to extracurricular functions shows your boss you’re a team player. Unless you absolutely cannot make it, start going to the “outside-the-office” social functions related to your job.

5. Relying on your former education.

Too many people get through their required training and then stop learning. To rise above everyone else in both title and pay, you have be continually learning new skills and improving yourself. This doesn’t have to mean going back to school. You can attend workshops, ask mentors and continue your education to gain new skills that’ll help launch you into your next role.

6. Waiting on someone to find you.

Yes, recruiters are out there, but relying on them to find you amongst everyone else will kill your ability to move up. Make yourself known. Tell them about yourself and why you’d be an asset at a higher-level position. If you want to move up within your company, make it known that you’re looking for advancement and actively seek opportunities, instead of waiting for them to be handed to you.

7. Working alone on your goals.

We all need a little help sometimes. Other people can see things in us that we can’t always see ourselves, allowing them to offer a perspective that’s much different than our own. If you need help, there are coaches out there that specialize in career advancement, such as a resume or small-business coach.

8. Failing to follow through.

Sometimes, you’ll receive difficult tasks that’ll test you in various ways. No matter the task, if you say you’ll do something, make sure you deliver. Failing to do so, even in the face of obstacles, will cut short your ability to advance your career.

9. Being passive.

You don’t want to be known as the hothead of the office, but it’s no better to be the wimp. Voice your opinions and showcase your work. Your boss may not know your worth if you never demonstrate it.

10. Keeping your dreams to yourself.

Tell other people your plans. It helps you be accountable for them, and it also opens the door for them to help you. Keeping quiet about your dreams will ruin your chances of making the key connections needed to move up.

11. Having the reputation of “just another guy in the office.”

Average workers don’t get promoted. Work hard and become the go-to guy for projects and special assignments. Being “just another employee” will damage your ability to advance.

12. Staying in your comfort zone.

Promotions will often take you outside your comfort zone, so be prepared. Take on things you aren’t sure you can handle and find ways to do them anyway. Staying comfortable might sound nice, but it won’t help you advance your career.

13. Reading and hoping instead of doing.

Columns such as this one are published every day, but reading them is a waste of time if you don’t take action. Failing to take action ensures you’ll stay right where you are, killing your upward momentum.

What are you doing today to move up in your career? If there are any other career-killing habits you want to draw attention to, let us know about them in the comments section below.

Sujan Patel

10 Reasons To Start A Business After College Instead Of Finding A Job

It’s true: Anyone can get a nine-to-five job right out of college.

But most of the time, it doesn’t happen to be a job people are happy about or want to work at.

They spend hours at a desk, working on projects that have no meaning to their lives and sitting on paychecks they may have no idea what to do with.

They only get two weeks of vacation, and they can only take it when it is okay with the rest of the company.

Why people choose this life after four years of hard work is beyond me.

But, maybe I’m incorrect. I’ve never had a typical nine-to-five job, and it isn’t something I want to have. Months after graduating college, I started a business of my own, and I would never change my decision.

Starting my own business empowered me to live my life the way I want to.

Instead of working for someone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart, why not work for yourself? Here are 10 reasons to give it a shot:

1. You know your work habits.

No one understands how you work better than you do. Why work for someone who probably won’t respect that? You know how much work you can get done, and you know how smart you are.

Apply that to the business you’ve been dying to start instead of a business that doesn’t want to apply itself to you.

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2. You’ll learn to work smarter.

At a regular job, you may learn how to work smarter rather than harder. But, since it isn’t your money you’re toying around with, you probably won’t be trying too hard to get things done very quickly.

When you start your own business, you have to learn how to do a lot of jobs in a short amount of time. You’ll become more efficient, leaving you with more time to get other things done.

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3. You’ll understand the value of hard work.

Being an entrepreneur is the most challenging job on the planet. But, it is also the most rewarding. All of the hours and labor you put into your business will pay off.

You’ll appreciate when you make a profit and you will want to continue working harder to get higher numbers. You will never take another hour in the day for granted because you know that time could be generating profit.

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4. You’ll gain better sales and networking skills.

When starting a business, you’ll have to find the right people to help you. You’ll have to learn how to talk to people and how to sell your business if you want to survive.

At a regular job, someone else may be doing the work for you, which won’t benefit you later on when you move up the chain. You’ll learn how to gain stronger relationships, and those will pay off when you need help with anything.

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5. You’ll work on your own schedule.

No one will tell you what time to come into work. You will be your own boss, so you will determine when you need to start work and when you can be done for the day.

You no longer have to work incredibly late, unless you decide to. While this is a blessing, it can also be a curse. However, you will reap the benefits of this curse later on.

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6. You only have so many years of energy.

If you wait until later in life to start a business, it may be too late. If you plan on having kids, think twice. Having kids and launching a startup don’t mix well.

If you get started sooner, having a family or having an early retirement will be a lot easier down the road.

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7. You have nothing to lose.

Because you’re fresh out of college, you most likely don’t yet own many things or have many people riding on your paychecks.

So, why not start something while you have a bit of time to be selfish? You won’t have to take a mortgage on your house or sell a car to start the business quite yet.

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8. You’re fresh with ideas.

I’m not saying the older you get, the fewer ideas you have. You’re just more likely to act on crazy ideas now rather than later. You may second guess your idea to start a business 20 years from now.

You’ve had years to generate tons of ideas, and you’ve learned tons of strategies.

So, why not start putting them to use rather than waiting years to be promoted at some company that may not acknowledge your opinions?

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9. You’ll get smarter.

Because you’ll have to learn every aspect of the business, you’ll become smarter about starting a business rather than working a corporate job.

You’ll become an accountant, a marketer, a salesman and all sorts of other positions. No one else will be able to handle your amount of work quite as well as you.

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10. You’ll be doing what you love.

So many people out of college succumb to a life of banality because they are told that’s what they have to do. Don’t be that person.

You’ve always known what you want to do, so why not do it? Don’t work a job that sucks. Create your own career.

Liz Rae

7 THINGS A YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SHOULD NEVER DO ON SOCIAL MEDIA

In the age of personal branding, the line between what is and what isn't acceptable to post on your handles often gets blurry. Building up your own brand and elevating your career is now easier than ever with tools like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, to name a few—if you use them right. Here, the deadly mistakes to avoid making in the digital realm.

1) Complaining about your job, co-workers or boss. While this may seem like a no-brainer, sharing any negative feedback about your current job, employer or co-workers is the number one no-no. Don't doubt that future (and current) employers will raise a red-flag at the slightest jab or complaint via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. Even a simple "dreading going to the office" or "bored at work" comment is a bad way to brand yourself in any industry.

2) Sharing too much information. Know where to draw the line between your digital and personal life. Relationship issues, personal problems and TMI tidbits are best kept in private conversation rather than being attached to your personal brand online.

3) Posting all of your partying pictures #AboutLastNight. There's nothing wrong with posting a tasteful, fun photo from a night out with friends but when your Instagram feed or Facebook timeline starts to look like the outtake reel ofThe Hangover, then it's a problem. Prospective and current employers will find a stream of drinking and partying photos to be a turn-off, even if you think it's "all in good fun" you don't want to be seen as the party animal job candidate.

4) Inserting yourself in controversial conversations. While it's okay to share your opinion, steer clear of topics or news that could be too controversial—i.e. religion, race, politics. If your opinion could be offensive, it's best not to broadcast it all over the internet. Controversial remarks are a huge turn-off to potential employers and could cost you landing that dream interview.

5) Going on a venting tirade. It may be tempting to go on a complaining spree via Twitter or Facebook, but you don't want the negatives to outweigh the positives of your online personality. Keep your emotions in check—take a deep breath and think before you send out any bad vibes that may reflect badly on you in the future.

6) Aggressively networking for a job or interview. LinkedIn and Twitter are great tools to network with other professionals in your industry, but there's a big difference between "networking" and "harassing." Repeatedly sending messages or interview requests to potential employers through social media isn't going to land you a job, it's just going to come off as unprofessional. Use social media to seek out advice or start a conversation, not to beg for a job.

7) Referencing illegal activities. Another no-brainer, photo or not ("joking" about it via Twitter or Facebook counts too)—anything that you wouldn't do or say in front of a police officer, shouldn't go on social media. Consider it the quickest way to sabotage your own career and personal brand.

Lauren Fisher