Adam Broda’s Post

The term 'toxic' is definitely being used more loosely these days, and it’s crucial to differentiate between constructive criticism and negative behavior. Feedback, especially when it’s about skill development, can easily be misinterpreted. Encouraging growth is a key part of leadership, but clear communication of intent is just as important. Open dialogue and understanding can help bridge that gap. #HR #HRtips #humanrelations #leadership #toxic

Stay open-minded when receiving feedback. Express gratitude to those who offer constructive feedback. Embrace the positivity and empathy of those around you to lift yourself and others. #leadership #feedback #growth

This message resonated with me this morning. Over the years, I've been on both sides of this statement - receiving "tough love" from those who were genuinely invested in my growth and development, as well as offering that same candid feedback to others. The journey for self-improvement is never-ending. Value and treasure those people in your world who are sincerely trying to help make you a better person. #SelfReflection #BeBetter #SelfImprovement #ProfessionalDevelopment

First impressions – rely on your gut or focus only on hard cold facts? 🤔 I attended several unconscious bias training sessions. I was given the usual lessons by HR partners: “be objective in the assessment of candidates”, “remember most managers tend to hire people similar to themselves”, “we all have our biases and prejudices”, etc. ❤️ All well and good. Useful stuff. But then there is real life. Many years ago, I interviewed a guy. I really needed somebody with his skillset. He looked good on paper, answered content questions well and explained the quirks in his CV to his advantage. And yet… there was something off I couldn’t put my finger on. 👉 I asked him to send his university diplomas (first time I ever asked anyone to do this). Everything checked out. 👉 I asked for references – fine. 👉 In the last act of desperation, I asked a colleague to interview him. He said – “He’s good, hire him.” So I did. 🤦♂️ It was one of the worst hires of my career. 😢   What did that teach me? I learned to appreciate that instinct helped every single one of my ancestors to recognise danger and avoid being eaten by a meaner/stronger/larger animal long enough to reach maturity and procreate. Yes, the world is changing faster than ever so it’s not an infallible tool but I’d be stupid to ignore and suppress it. Just know the time and place. And use with caution. ⚠ DISCLAIMER ☝: I’m not saying switch off your brain and follow your instincts. Far from it. Just remember that our instinct had millions of years of training vs. the mere decades our brain had to accumulate and process facts. It’s worth giving instinct a shot.

How do you train someone to have a good attitude? 🤔 Well according to Harvard Business School, you can't: “For years, my colleagues and I have advised anyone who would listen to hire for attitude, train for skills. Organizations that get it backward pay a heavy price. One of my favourite quotes is that of Richard Fairbank, CEO of Capital One, who said, “At most companies, people spend 2 percent of their time recruiting and 75 percent managing their recruiting mistakes.” Our research confirms that these are companies that hire for skills and try to do the nearly impossible: train for attitude.” Part of my work as a career coach specialising working with young professional involves supporting them in undertaking career pivots and career change if they, like so many, learn that, after a few years in the working world, what they actually want and need from work now that they're actually *in* the working world is different to that they thought they were going to want. This journey can look like anything from re-adjusting the workload balance in their current role to better play to their strengths through to transferring to new departments and sometimes new industries entirely (we've gone from lawyer to private detective, EA to HR, social media manager to teacher to name but a few). These are then the candidates in the recruitment process who tick this attitude box in abundance: 👉 They’re invested in their personal development. 👉 They’re keen to learn. 👉 They’re putting in the work to better themselves. 👉 They’re the candidates who are looking for someone to take a chance on them and let them get their foot in that door to show what they can do. And often times, when they get a seat at the table, they absolutely fly (and as a result, they have a hugely positive impact on the organisation who gave them the opportunity in return. So my food for thought on a chilly Wednesday afternoon is, if you are an organisation with teaching and learning embedded in your culture, how do you make sure that you are looking beyond technical skills and fostering and developing a culture of learning in your people from the moment you hire them through the length of their professional development with you? Full article here for those interested: https://lnkd.in/ezBvnfJA #careercoaching #careerdevelopment #careerchange #youngprofessionals

Absolutely, a good boss can indeed play the role of a teacher. Here are some qualities that make a boss a good teacher: Patience and Understanding: Just like a good teacher, a good boss understands that learning takes time and is patient when mistakes are made. Clear Guidance and Feedback: A good boss provides clear instructions and feedback, ensuring that you understand the "why" behind tasks, not just the "how." Encouragement and Motivation: They recognize your efforts and encourage growth, even if it means stepping outside of your comfort zone to learn new things. Mentorship: A teaching boss will not only give you tasks but also help you understand how those tasks fit into the bigger picture. This helps you see your contributions and motivates you. Focus on Skill Development: They invest time in developing your skills, setting you up for long-term success in your career. Setting a Good Example: A boss who leads by example teaches you through actions as much as words, instilling values and standards that you can follow. In short, a good boss sees your potential and works to bring out the best in you, much like a teacher does with a student.

As management assistants, we thrive on creating seamless interactions and anticipating the needs of those we support. But what happens when the professional chemistry just isn’t there? Poor chemistry with an executive can make every task feel like an uphill battle. Miscommunications become frequent, tasks may not be executed as smoothly, and the work atmosphere can feel strained. This lack of sync not only impacts daily productivity but can also affect our job satisfaction and emotional well-being. So, what can you do if you’re caught in this tough spot? 👉 Talk it out? Discuss your working styles and expectations openly to clear up a lot of the misunderatandings? 👉 Regularly seek and give feedback and initiate constructive discussions that can help both parties adjust and align better with each other’s methods? 👉 Adapt your style to better fit with your executive’s? 👉 Talk to mentors or peers who may have faced similar challenges to get some advice? If, despite best efforts, the chemistry doesn’t improve, it might be necessary to consider if the role is the right fit. Professional chemistry isn’t just a bonus; it’s essential for effective collaboration and personal job fulfillment. Have you ever experienced a professional relationship that lacked good chemistry? #professionalchemistry #workrelations #satisfaction #wellbeing

When Professionalism takes a backseat A close colleague recently experienced disappointing treatment during a job application. They applied for a communications role and received dismissive feedback instead of constructive guidance. When they highlighted relevant experience and expressed a willingness to learn, the response was simply, "No one has time to teach, need experienced talent." I share this not just to highlight a negative experience but to emphasize the importance of professionalism and empathy in recruitment. It is important to realise that constructive feedback and respectful communication are the hallmarks of a supportive work environment. Has anyone else encountered this? How did you handle it? #Professionalism #CareerGrowth #constructivefeedback

Sometimes it is not the hard skills that prevents someone from getting a job or someone from advancing in their current job. Sometimes it's the soft skills such as emotional intelligence, and the ability to source opinions, hold meaningful conversations, and extract useful information without coming across as arrogant, mean, or conceited. These are often harder to master because they are nuanced. They don't come with a certificate or degree stating you have mastered the subject. It's knowing the difference between asking: "Why do you think that?" vs "Tell me how you came to believe that?" These are two examples of asking the same question, however you are unlikely to get the same answer to both examples. The first example comes across as blaming and accusatory, and will almost always place the person responding in a defensive position. The second example allows for a safe space for the respondent to answer sincerely.

A strong relationship with your graduate supervisor can profoundly influence not only the outcome of your research but also the course of your academic and professional career. Your supervisor can offer critical guidance on research direction, provide networking opportunities, and give you access to resources that may be otherwise unavailable, but it doesn’t just happen automatically. Misalignment in expectations, communication styles, or work habits can derail even the most promising research projects. Building a solid, supportive partnership requires intentional effort, clear communication, and proactive management. In today's post for The Thursday Thinker, we explore key strategies to help you establish and maintain a productive working relationship with your supervisor. From setting clear boundaries to navigating feedback, these insights will guide you in fostering a relationship that propels both your academic and personal growth forward. Read the entire post for tips that will help you to take control of your grad school journey and thrive under your supervisor’s mentorship. 🎓 📫 Did you know that you can now receive our weekly newsletter, The Thursday Thinker, delivered directly to your inbox? Never miss a blog! Consider joining our email list at https://lnkd.in/dD3hwTwg and sign up. You will also receive complimentary access to our exclusive library of interactive mock interviews 👏 https://lnkd.in/ejR2x26G #HigherEducation #AcademicWriting #ThursdayThinker