Leaving the army in early 1965, I returned to an entry level assignment in the (battle)field of civil rights in Paterson, New Jersey. This was about the time that President Lyndon Johnson gave an inspirational plea to Congress to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965. President Johnson spoke with passion about dignity and [...]
Artices Tagged ‘diversity’
Writing on leadership has forced me to select, describe and list the qualities of the two best leaders I have experienced in my careers. This month we will begin with Alfred E. Lucas, a burly African American, now retired in St. Louis. Next month with Bishop Lawrence B. Casey, now deceased. Al Lucas, the [...]
On a November night years ago, troops of the 101st Airborne Division were bivouacked in a remote US location. Most of the soldiers did not have winter gear and it was cold. About one in the morning I crawled out of the sleeping bag to respond to Mother Nature and to pay the price for [...]
Every now and again something happens which reinforces your values and motivates you to keep on keeping on. I had this experience the week after Easter in March 2005. You are going to find this difficult to believe but it happened. I was interviewing a black woman executive, who expressed an avid desire in leaving [...]
“A man (or woman) who is good enough to shed his blood for this country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. More than that no man is entitled to, and less than that, no man shall have.” Theodore Roosevelt ? As the costly Iraqi conflict wears on, we are reminded daily, and [...]
The client reacted very positively to your candidate’s resume and then queried you in depth about your assessment of the candidate. “How did she interview? How does she measure up to our job specs? Her strengths?” And finally, “When can I see her?” The interview is scheduled; the candidate is prepped; and you hope for [...]
“Don’t be buffaloed by experts and elites. Experts often possess more data than judgment. Elites can become so inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death as soon as they are nicked by the real world. Small companies don’t have time for analytically detached experts. They don’t have the money to subsidize lofty elites, [...]
The world of work in America today seems to look to the human resources professionals for all the answers to diversity issues. This expectation is not only a mistake but it is grossly unfair. We know where the leadership belongs. We also know that in far too many instances the leadership passes the buck to [...]
What are you hearing on the street? What’s the latest buzz about the economy? About hiring? There are many positives out there: contract recruiters are busy, more jobs are being created, companies are talking to recruiters, candidate research firms are selling projects, and the pace of hiring is accelerating and heating up. Are we poised [...]
Patrick Coyne was popular with the other sales people in his firm but he was always the lowest producer in his region and in the country. As a matter of fact he finished dead last in sales production for five consecutive years. The new vice president of sales ordered Coyne’s manager to give him one [...]
A statement made by John Challenger, CEO, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, in a speech at Fisher College of Business is thought provoking and encouraging especially for people in our business. “In corporate America, we are looking at a major shortage of companies’ most important supply: people. The government estimates that in fewer than seven [...]
“A bias is an inflexible positive or negative prejudgment about the nature, character, and abilities of an individual and is based on a generalized idea about the group to which the person belongs.” This month I want to tell you about Making Diversity Work: Seven Steps for Defeating Bias in the Workplace, by Sondra Thiederman, Ph.D. [...]
I wish TFL readers and their loved ones a happy, healthy, successful and peaceful 2004. Recently we were in the midst of Boston’s first Nor’easter of the season. The snow had been falling for over twenty-four hours. The experts said we had twenty-four more to go. I was home fighting a battle with pneumonia and [...]
In July the lively diversity recruiting postings on Electronic Recruiting Exchange, gave us plenty to think, wonder, and talk about. One made a subtle but between the eyes point. What do you think? “I am a white male. I am afraid for my children’s future. Capital and opportunity are rushing towards my kids and away from [...]
On a beautiful evening last May, Paul Hawkinson and I had dinner in St. Louis. Over the years and in a variety of cities we’ve enjoyed many memorable get-togethers. This was no different. After getting caught up, laughing a lot, and sharing opinions about world conditions, we focused on the placement business and its future. [...]
Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, a professor of education at Harvard University, believes that respect is the single most important ingredient in creating authentic relationships, building healthy organizations, and establishing thriving communities. In her book, Respect, she maintains that curiosity is fundamental to relationships of all kinds and advises her readers to be genuinely interested in the stories [...]
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’m as old as the man in the mirror I shave every day. To keep from getting too lugubrious about this I laugh at Satchel Paige’s words: “How old would you be, if you didn’t know how old you was?” We get pretty philosophical when we think about [...]
Bernard Baruch once affirmed. “Every man has a right to be wrong in his opinions but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts.” It’s natural when you read a column on “diversity” to judge it by your own frame of reference and beliefs, your understanding, values, and stereotypes. This month we’ll [...]
In my life I’ve met many courageous and tireless human rights leaders. One of the strongest most dedicated, and fearless died a few months ago in Boston. Rich Rasi cared for people, all people. A quiet manner and affable approach to others was his hallmark but his legacy was a tenacious life-long commitment to speak [...]
Everyone who has been in the placement business for a few years has stories to tell. Some are humorous and unbelievable. Others are weird and tragic. We see life from an interesting vantage point. We meet people at their best and at their worst. Let me share my answer to a question that I’ve been [...]
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