Twenty-four hours and ten minutes ago, just minutes after your sales department confirmed a major production order for your Pittsburgh client, Warren knocks on your office door. Warren is your most experienced and smartest thinking supervisor—a 16-year veteran. His visit’s purpose: to give you six weeks’ notice that he is, finally, retiring. This time it’s for real; the cruise tickets are booked. What’s next? Clear space on your wall for four lists!

Mild panic has impaired your recall of your just finished, ten-minute conversation. One of your most valued employees—a key operations supervisor, a 16-year veteran—is leaving. You do remember asking him if he could delay his departure for two weeks to get you through a major production order that’s just come in. A bit reluctantly, he agrees. Okay. You have [...]

Undercover Boss, a now three-week new CBS television series—follows CEOs undercover as they pursue alternative realities in their organizations: realities at levels far afield from the corporate board room. Checking in and working with the little guys for a day is a noble and worthwhile idea, if not a particularly original one. Still, Undercover Boss brings [...]

My long time friend Scott sent a response to last week’s post question.  A minister, Scott’s been deep in the people business for some time. Scott also has experience in the private sector—his head works beautifully in both. Part of his comment: “…going through the process of leaving their best wisdom…(helps) the employee feel vital, [...]