What I Learned About Nurturing Talent from My Middle East Gardener

“You coddle your people way to much.”

“If they do not like this company, let them leave. We can hire someone else at a cheaper price.”

“The only people who I consider talent at my network are the people on the air. That is all I care about.”

“I’m sick of all this culture stuff. Give me a break.”

All these comments were from senior level executives during conversations concerning engagement, culture, or just their people. The third statement was from the head of a major cable network during a discussion at a dinner party back in New York. That was a very spirited discussion, to say the least.

My wife always tells me to just leave the HR stuff when we go out and lets enjoy the evening. But for some reason if it comes up, I will engage.

Who is in charge now?

I thought of those comments this week during some downtime I had between flights. I once had a former boss tell me that this fancy stuff has no value, but as I travel the global landscape, I am noticing that the pendulum has swung.

A New Way to Work: When Your Office Space Reflects Your Core Values

Landmark Hospitality

As I left a recent presentation at one of our clients, I noticed the design of the hallway leading into the area. My comment was “wow.”

It stopped me in my tracks. The walls were adorned with a blow up of their core values. The other side of the wall were positive thoughts from famous people. I called it a Hallway of Positivity.

With all the talk about culture in organizations today, it makes me proud when I see organizations go all out in trying to create this atmosphere. I sure there are some that will say something like, “yes, but do they live it?”

A visual focus on what your culture is about

Landmark Hospitality

Good question, but my take is that during this design process, they could have just agonized over the color of paint and let that be it. But as I walk through their hallways, there are subtle signs throughout that hone in on the same message. That message is, “this is what we are about.”

Today your organization must use every opportunity to talk about what they are about. It is kind of like the soft sell in advertising — keep it front and center at all times.

As I thought more about this, I realized that this type design enables and has the ability to stimulate human flourishing. Walking down a bland hallway, entranceway or walking down that same space with a stimulating color and quotes creates the atmosphere.

Are You Ready For Your HR Career to Finally Go Global?

“My name is xxxxx — where are u headed?”

I replied that I was heading to Dubai and the conversation started (which was eased by the champagne served in business class).

My seatmate was from Russia. As the conversation continued, our other seat mate chimed in, she was from India. The couple sitting across from us was from Cape Town, South Africa. As I looked around the plane, it seems that we had a mini-UN of travel aboard.

Where is Dubai, anyway?

I was headed back from holiday in the U.S. Our first stop was London, and then we all separated as I was headed back home to Dubai.

HR Advice to Start 2015: Resolve to Listen More to Your People This Year

“But, it is the General Manager who so sets the tone and culture in an organization.”

That statement, by a local reporter, followed the recent firing of New York Jets football coach Rex Ryan. As I watched the news over the holidays, I saw that there were a lot of sports people who lost their jobs.

As another famous football executive, Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells, explained years ago, “you are what your record says you are.”

How did you do?

As one year ends and another begins, it is always a good time to reflect on our work and accomplishments for the past year.