Beware the Lemmings

The lemming is a small rodent that mostly lives in the Arctic. Folklore has it that lemmings follow each other even when it results in their jumping off cliffs in what some describe as mass suicides. The lemming analogy is a cautionary tale for a “group think” mentality and can be applied to several situations in the workplace. New employees are more susceptible to becoming lemmings than others who are better informed. Frequently, an established worker volunteers to help the new person get ... Read more

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Words Left Unsaid

When I got married, Betsy (co-founder of Start Smart Career Center) gave me a piece of advice that I cherish because it has proven to be invaluable. She told me that the words I choose not to say to my husband are just as important as the words I do say to him. I could not have possibly appreciated the gravity of that statement at the time, but over five years later it is a motto I’ve come to live by in every aspect of my life. This concept may be easiest to understand in regards to ... Read more

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Don’t Settle for the Cheap Seats

There is going to be a meeting with the boss that will be held in the conference room. Unfortunately, the conference table isn’t large enough for all the managers to sit at the table. There are chairs placed around the perimeter of the room for overflow. The men wander in and take a seat at the table without giving it a second thought. They may try to decide where the boss will sit so they can choose their chair strategically. Some of the women seem uncertain about where to sit and ... Read more

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The Devil Doesn’t Need Advocates

We’ve all been there. The meeting has dragged on and on. It looks like the team has finally arrived at an action plan. Things are winding down, tasks are being assigned, and you are ready to pack up and get back to your real work. At that very moment, someone says, “Let me play devil’s advocate” and launches into a rehash of the previous discussion. Colleagues groan inwardly, everyone hoping the boss will dismiss this unnecessary showmanship. The concept of ... Read more

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Choosing a Career in Nonprofits

Omar Garrett, a marketing manager with LinkedIn, recently wrote a piece in the New York Times encouraging young people to consider work in nonprofit organizations. He notes that only one in 10 “career-oriented” graduates (those with majors in program like business and engineering) plan to pursue work in a nonprofit. Stating that although other career-paths offer a surer path to financial and professional success, nonprofits need new grads who in turn can gain vital skills and prove ... Read more

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Presence Has Consequences

In a recent article by Christine Bader posted on FastCompany, the author speaks about the need for businesses to broaden their scope and to look beyond their corporate walls to the people and communities they affect. She further notes that the MSW (master’s degree in social work) might be the new MBA. I would argue that it shouldn’t be one or the other, but a synergy of the best competencies of both professions. Social workers do bring a unique perspective to their work. Their ... Read more

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The Business of Nonprofits

There is a major misconception that nonprofit organizations and associations are not actual businesses. While they might not be the same as a corporation that manufactures products or sells services for a profit, nonprofits must follow many of the same rules. This includes filing taxes, following state and federal business policies, raising revenue, and managing expenses. The biggest difference is mission versus margin or profit. Nonprofits are established to carry out certain functions, ... Read more

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