HR Professional - December 2007/January 2008 - (Page 45)

Dimensions International (DDI), is spending 10 to 15 hours a month either complaining about upper management or listening to someone else complain about upper management. What a waste of time! Take that time you’re wasting and start investing it in your own development, and get a better job if you’re so miserable. We spend way too much time passing judgment on topics that don’t matter. I think the important point is not that it’s bad to make judgments; the important point is whether it’s useful. HRP: You talk a lot about goal obsession. Where is that line between having healthy goals and being obsessed with goals? MG: Goal obsession occurs when a task or a goal starts becoming more important than a mission. Take, for example, a study called the Good Samaritan undertaken at Princeton’s Theological Seminary. Researchers told half of the students that they were running 10 minutes late and to get across campus immediately and deliver a sermon on the topic of the Good Samaritan. On the way across campus the researchers planted an actor playing the role of a distressed person crying for help. Ninety per cent of the ministers that were told they were late ignored the pleas of a needy person in their haste to deliver the sermon. HRP: How can we get to the next level? MG: One thing you can do is feed forward—instead of asking for feedback about the past, learn by asking for ideas about the future. Just get in the simple habit of asking, “Hey, how can I be a better manager? How can I be a better team player? How can I help you more?” Just get in the habit of asking, reaching out and involving all those people around you. Let’s get in the habit of asking, and then listen, learn and build in some follow-up. Guess what will start happening? Amazingly enough, you start getting better. Dan Pfister (dan@thebusinesssource.com) is president of The Business Source, a leading publisher of business information products. SPECIALISTS IN OPENING THE RIGHT DOORS FOR THE RIGHT PEOPLE As a global leader in specialist recruitment, Hays has the in-depth expertise—and local, national and international networks—to make connections between the right candidates, the right employers and the right opportunities. We serve industries such as: Accounting & Finance Construction & Property Energy Executive Human Resources Information Technology Manufacturing & Logistics Office Support Sales & Marketing Every year we place thousands of people in temporary and permanent roles at thousands of employers. Each appointment is made possible by our specialist consultants, who build enduring relationships with clients and candidates alike. Find the right people—visit www.hays.ca, call 1-866-420-HAYS (4297) or contact your local Hays office. Calgary Edmonton Kitchener (403) 269-HAYS (780) 469 HAYS (519) 772-1000 London (519) 850-HAYS Mississauga (905) 848-HAYS North York (416) 223-HAYS Ottawa Toronto Vancouver (613) 288-HAYS (416) 367-HAYS (604) 648-HAYS Specialist Recruitment hays.ca D e ce mb e r 2 0 0 7 /Ja n u a r y 9/20/07 45 2 008 8:19:31 PM w w343609_Hays.inddader . c om w .H RThought L e 1 http://www.hays.com http://www.HRThoughtLeader.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of HR Professional - December 2007/January 2008

HR Professional - December 2007/January 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Contributors Leadership Matters Website Did You Know By the Numbers Technology Study News: Ontario Regulatory Enforcement Compensation News: Postponing Retirement Legal Compensation On Message Public Image Ltd. Building Brand Equity Research Strategy HR 101 Interview with Marshall Goldsmith Off the Shelf The Last Word

HR Professional - December 2007/January 2008

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