Token World Cup-related article.

I love the World Cup, and my favorite team playing in Brazil other than the U.S. is England, which, come to think of it, probably isn’t in Brazil anymore since they were eliminated Tuesday. The Brits have trouble in penalty shootouts (a series of penalty shots taken after a tie game to determine the winner), and here’s an interesting article that links nations and their shootout success. The Germans, not surprisingly, are fantastic in shootouts.

How to handle pressure: lessons from penalty shoot-outs – The Economist

Grumpy people are better at their jobs.

I didn’t find this article’s argument, which is based on research, very compelling. But, because I tend to be grumpy and critical, I tried very hard to be convinced. Actually, the headline made me think that the research would suggest that “haters” are better employees because they have better critical skills and question the status quo. But it didn’t say that at all – it said that positive people got involved in more work projects and activities than negative people, which means that positive types weren’t as focused as those who are negative.

Grumpy and negative people are more efficient than happy colleagues – Daily Mail

This article will have you gasping in disbelief. Continue reading →

Stopped by the Grammar Police

As a writer, grammar is a subject near and dear to my heart. And my heart breaks every time I log onto Facebook and see the blatant destruction of the English language. This pain intensifies when I see egregious grammar mistakes in professional emails. How we write is a reflection of who we are. But who can remember all those pesky grammar rules we learned in school? For some of us, that was quite a while ago. Never fear – this article contains a grammar cheat sheet with everything from the basics (their, there, and they’re) to the more difficult (lay and lie). There’s also a fun cartoon to illustrate why the Oxford comma is important (and although the author declares herself “team OC,” she fails to use the OC anywhere in her article…tsk tsk).

Beyond You’re vs. Your: A Grammar Cheat Sheet Even the Pros Can Use – Uberflip

All These Meetings…

People spend a lot of their time in meetings. While it would be nice if these meetings were planned weeks in advance, with time to prepare, that’s not always the case. When spontaneous meetings erupt, this article can help keep you on track and ensure everyone gets what they need out of last-minute meetings. Some suggestions include setting a goal, keeping the meeting on point, and keeping it short.

7 Ways to Get the Most Out of Last-Minute Meetings – Business Insider

Continue reading →

No jerks allowed.

Do you have an unreasonable boss? I certainly don’t! (Thanks for reading, John.) Are tough, aggressive bosses going by the wayside in an era when companies like Netflix have a “no-jerk rule”? Or does it still take sharp elbows and a demanding nature to push employees? There are so many ways to effectively manage employees without resorting to intimidation and anger, which I think makes that approach obsolete. Does that sound soft? There’s a difference between being stern and a bully.

Is the Hard-Nosed Boss Obsolete? – Wall Street Journal

“If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”

I’m not a fan of commencement addresses. I detest the usual Pollyanna messaging and “you are the country’s future” appeal. Continue reading →

Good days ahead for Leggett & Platt?

This article shares the state of manufacturing in America right now, and there’s reason to be optimistic. After a decades-long decrease in jobs, 600,000 have been added over the past four years. Part of the reason is increased wages in China and other emerging countries, leading many companies to bring jobs back to the U.S. Here are a couple interesting numbers: the average annual pay and benefits for U.S. manufacturing workers in 2012 was $77,505, whereas the number for all U.S. workers is $62,063; and 80% of manufacturing jobs require at least an associate’s degree or 12 months of training. Incidental note: one of my favorite words, “sanguine,” is used late in the article.

Why U.S. Manufacturing Is Poised for a Comeback (Maybe) – Wall Street Journal

What can a twentysomething teach a company executive?

This isn’t the first article about “reverse mentoring” that I’ve linked to, and that’s because I think it’s an important subject. I understand how reluctant an “older” employee would be Continue reading →