Here are the best articles we found for the month of November:
Stop Trying to Influence Your Team. Focus on This Leadership Skill Instead.
I had a supervisor long ago who loved the sound of his own voice. He went into long, impassioned tirades about the company’s values, about what he expected from us, and more importantly, all the ways we could improve how we worked.
In his mind, he was a charismatic leader, guiding us toward the right path. Needless to say, we weren’t all that impressed. Instead of being inspired, we were put off by what seemed like self-serving motives. Instead of being motivated to action, we silently withdrew (the opposite of what he surely intended).
What I’m about to say might seem contradictory, but the first rule when it comes to improving your ability to influence others is removing this sole desire from yourself. What this means is that seeking to influence for the sake of influencing will get you nowhere. Read more here.
8 Best Time Clock Apps for Small Business in 2021
Finding the best time clock apps for your small business can be such a challenge. With all of the available options to choose from, it can be tough to determine which time card app is best for your business.
As you evaluate your options, you should be sure to look at features and pricing models for the time card app. The best time tracking app is highly subjective and can vary. Some people may prefer fancier options and features; others may instead decide that the best time clock app is simple and more affordable.
The type of phones (such as iPhones and Androids) which your employees own is another factor. If your employees are not as tech-savvy, then it can take time for them to get on board with the right time tracking app and decide which time card to use. Read more here.
How I Failed Miserably As a Leader and Ultimately Improved My Company
I failed miserably last week. Like, one of those “look in the mirror” moments, where the reflection staring back makes you feel extra terrible.
We all want to be perfect leaders. We aren’t, but we try. And when the inevitable happens — a monumental mistake in judgement — it hurts like hell.
The story’s simple. A case of missing an appointment. Only the appointment was lunch with his daughters, and the person who missed it was my company’s chief operating officer. Why, you ask? Read more here.
How to Prevent Employees from Working Off the Clock
Managing your employee’s time is critical to prevent off the clock work. For employees who are exempt from overtime, working off the clock is not an issue. For those that are non-exempt, it is illegal.
There are a variety of issues of why employees may work off the clock. Some employees may work off the clock because of an increased workload or staffing issues. Even some managers may ask employees to work off the clock for short periods of time to help with the budget and prevent overtime. Read more here.
10 Recruiting Hacks To Find The Best Job Candidates
Sifting through piles of job applications and resumes can be tedious work. However, you can take advantage of certain recruiting “hacks” to find the best job candidates, people who are likely to be a great fit right from the start.
To learn more about methods that work, 10 successful entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) shared their favorite recruiting tips for finding the best of the best.
I hire people who already fit my culture and don’t aim to change who my employees are. Two questions I love to ask is how they would spend $5 million after taxes, or what their biggest pet peeve is. I will ask 20 questions over an hour interview, and it really helps me to get to know my future employees and turn away the ones I know won’t be a good fit for my firm. —Jennifer A. Barnes, Optima Office, Inc. Read more here.