“What’s your biggest weakness?” You’ve probably heard that it’s no longer considered a wise move to respond to this common interview question by saying, “Well, I’m a bit of a perfectionist”. Being organized and self-disciplined—once considered a desirable quality—has become somewhat of an insult, even a warning sign to employers. But while it’s true tha...

Change is never easy in life, and one of the toughest transitions anyone can go through is a significant career shift. Not all career changes are created equally, though, and one of the most challenging can be the move from active duty military to corporate America. It’s the same journey that Lucas Group founder Art Lucas took when he left the Army and started this company in 1970 and a process that I began back i...

Where the personal rights and freedoms of one individual or a group of individuals conflict with those of another, those interests must be balanced to determine which must prevail. The balance between religious freedom and employment nondiscrimination is currently being re-examined and refined by the federal courts and the issues are, in a word, complicated. Some inaccurate and misleading reporting has been circulating...

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One month into my new job, I’m incredibly excited thinking about the positive inroads I’ll be able to make for my organization. To say that I’m energized, and ready-to-go is an understatement. At the same time – as a Type-A personality and recovering workaholic – I’m also doing my level best to calm the racehorse wanting to burst full-speed out the gate – knowing that my desire to &...

Ninety-five percent of Fortune 500 companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or talent management system to organize and track résumés. Companies readily admit that many qualified candidates, as many as 70%, are screened out before their résumés are reviewed by a human. When you submit your résumé online, it is screened by a bot, if it can’t read the inform...

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits employment discrimination against applicants and employees because of physical or mental disabilities and requires federal contractors and subcontractors with federal contracts or subcontracts in excess of $15,000 to take affirmative action to ensure that persons are treated without regard to disability. As part of their affirmative action efforts, contractors are requ...

Here is a quotation that I share in my training programs on generational diversity: “I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today.” In what era do you think this was written? This week’s Economist? A political speech from the 1960s? The Roaring Twenties? The late eighteenth century? In fact, these words are attributed to the poet Hesiod, all the...

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Leaders are encouraged to develop their strengths and sharpen their skills to maximize their effectiveness. Many resources are available, including books, seminars, conferences and qualified executive coaches. A coach, of course, can address your specific needs, and customize an approach that perfectly fits your personality, circumstances and goals. Most leaders understand that all their beliefs and behaviors are exposed...