I’m Outta Here
What do you think is the most popular reason folks leave their current employer for another company?
If you said “compensation”, nice swing. “Greener pastures”, swing again. Health reasons, relocation, early retirement or personal reasons… keep on swinging.
The most popular reason folks leave is because of you. That’s right – “you” the business owner or “you” the manager or supervisor. Didn’t see that one coming, eh?
A recent Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) report suggested one of the best ways you can mitigate turnover is to simply get connected with your staff, not as employees, but as human beings. Meetings, deadlines, projects, financials, clients, vendors, competition, industry and a myriad of other circumstances have us completely distracted from simply engaging one another in conversation and learning who we are inside AND outside the workplace.
My Right to Kick Sand
I’m confused.
Today, I read an article in my local paper about a group of gun advocates arguing with the city commission to carry firearms at an upcoming community event – one that offers arts, music and food. Apparently, it’s one of the most dangerous events of the year.
Here’s what confuses me:
- What do people really think guns are intended for? Last time I checked, they’re intended to kill, or certainly to injure. Some folks say guns are used in the world of sport for target competitions. I’m a believer in upholding Constitutional rights, but I don’t think this community event is planning on having a target range set up or expecting a stampede of warthogs.
The fear is so BIG
A colleague of mine shared a very interesting perspective with me today. She said, “Sometimes I’m so paralyzed by the fear, it seems like there’s no way around it.” Man, did I ever get it.
How many times have we been in a situation with no visible escape hatch from the fear? You try to run and hide, but the fear is so BIG it’s already moved into your favorite and reliable hiding place. Crud.
This is an exhausting game I play… the one called “try to dodge my fear.” Working lots of hours, waking up in the middle of the night, worrying about being worried – these are just several expressions of running away from it.
Then my colleague said, “I’ve gotten exhausted too Preston. But I’ve come up with something that seems to help. Rather than try to avoid the fear, I’ve made up a game called ‘Making a game of failing’.”
