This Week's Herman Trend Alert Demand-Driven Workforce Development

The Herman Trend Alert September 13, 2006 Skill for Future Success When we profile successful leaders of the future, several qualities grab our attention. One trait, attracting the attention of researchers, is resilience, defined as tough-mindedness and the ability to accept criticism. PsyMax Solutions, a human capital assessment firm, recently completed a study of more than 2,000 employees. The firm analyzed the profiles of district and regional managers, department or unit managers, and supervisors. The middle managers’ median tough-minded score was the highest of all groups. By comparison, the company presidents and CEOs ranked lowest for resiliency, followed by the executives, and professional, technical, and administrative employees. "The study suggests that middle managers have the greatest ability to accept criticism," said PsyMax Solutions CEO Dr. Wayne Nemeroff. "Perhaps because of the nature of the middle management role they continuously get feedback from all directions, from above, below and sideways. Those at the center of the organizational structure demonstrate strength in being able to manage stress and to keep resilient in the face of frustration, disappointment or criticism." According to Nemeroff, resilience is an essential skill for middle managers. They provide leadership to front line supervisors. Middle managers plan, direct, and/or coordinate the day-to-day operations of companies. Sometimes, they are owners who head small businesses and require the ability "to handle frequent criticism or rejection, to work through tough negotiations, and to build credibility by remaining even-tempered." Problems can result when the resiliency skill is not developed, Nemeroff advised. Some common issues include allowing stress and frustration to show, becoming defensive in response to criticism, and having difficulty rebounding from setbacks. Nemeroff believes people who need to develop resilience should readily accept constructive criticism and seek to learn from it. These people should also share their thoughts or reactions, and not hold them in. In fact, too much emotional control sometimes causes others to shut down communication and forget about their listening skills. People who want to develop resilience should speak more openly and make themselves more vulnerable. Make sure people know where you’re coming from and that you’re really listening to them. What’s your resilience capacity---now and in the future? © Copyright 1998-2008 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! If you've been thinking about attending our valuable Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program, don't delay--only three spaces remain. With the employment market heating up, many positions are literally impossible to fill. Attend this course and you will learn dozens of low-/no-cost valuable strategies to attract and retain the talent you need. Recertification credit from HRCI. Next program: May 22-23, Charleston, SC. Call Carol at 336-282-9370 or visit http://www.employeeretentionspecialist.com. GET INSIDE THE MINDS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES Find out what's really going on inside the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-648-1918 or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. NEW BABY BONUS Book Joyce to speak on the West Coast in 2008 and receive 100 of her books of your choosing. There is a new baby in the family, Spencer Jay, and Joyce would appreciate more opportunities to watch him grow. For more about Joyce, visit http://www.hermangroup.com/joyce.html or call Joyce at 336-210-3548. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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