GreatWork Blog

Building better workplaces through compliance, culture, connection

One thing we say in our leadership training courses offered at Cascade is, “Leaders are Learners.”

What does this mean in the workplace? In the fast-changing world that we operate in, the best leaders never stop learning. Whether you're managing a small team or guiding an entire organization, your growth sets the pace for others. The phrase “Leaders are Learners” isn’t just catchy—it’s a principle that separates thriving leaders from stagnant ones.

Over the past five years, virtual training has become a go-to method for employee development. But in recent months, many organizations are shifting back to in-person formats, driven by a desire to reconnect face-to-face. While there are undeniable benefits to gathering in the same room, virtual training still has a strong role to play—especially when used strategically.

You’ve probably heard your colleagues talking about microlearning, but you may be wondering what all the buzz is about.  Microlearning is an approach to learning that involves delivering content in small, bite-sized units that learners can consume quickly and easily. This style of learning better aligns with the shifts in how individuals currently consume information. In the workplace, lengthier training sessions are broken down into smaller bite-sized modules which has been shown to improve comprehension and retention. These small and narrowly focused modules are typically 3-10 minutes and are usually offered in an online and on-demand format.  This allows learners to participate at their own time, pace and place, unless their employer says otherwise. 

Are you setting goals this year? Not the New Year’s resolution kind. The kind that are tied to the ongoing strategy of your company or organization. The goals that make a difference in the way your team members connect to and engage with that strategy. The week-to-week conversations about stretching to achieve. The kind of goals that empower the individual. These conversations, done well, are one of the crucial elements in making performance conversations energizing and enjoyable. What could go wrong?

Near panic, I began listing all the projects I had been in charge of over the years. Our instructor had suggested we review just how common project management is by creating a historical record of our own projects. Pen to paper, I was grinding out a history of, at best, mixed results. One pattern emerged, however: that of getting better over time and learning from mistakes.

This January, The Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI) announced it is making changes to the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification exams beginning August 1, 2018.

Getting or keeping up with your HR certifications can be a challenge, but did you know that Cascade has partnered with the HR Certification Institute™ (HRCI) to offer our Members some pretty cool benefits.

When presenting to a group or an audience, we need to establish rapport with our listeners and have ways to engage them in the conversation. Instead, presenters often lose sight of the audience and become preoccupied with the material they wish to cover.

Do you want to be an ethical leader? First, relax. Being ethical shouldn’t require moral self-righteousness, rigid standards, covering up that we aren’t perfect, or even always following the rules. Bureaucrats follow rules, but ignore the spirit behind the rules. Ethical people try to find the best thing to do, given the limits of their perspective. We don’t know the long-term ramifications of each ethical act, but we try our best to take the long view.

One of my strengths is that I’m a learner. I’m always after new information or ideas and dedicate time each day to read and learn something new. It helps me feel focused and energized. Thank goodness I also have a job that allows (and really requires) me to constantly be in learning mode.

Through Cascade’s alliance with the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), we are excited to share with you this free eBook, The Rise of HR: Wisdom from 73 Thought Leaders, led by Dave Ulrich, Bill Schiemann, Libby Sartain and sponsored by HRCI.

Ethics is rarely discussed unless we are being scolded or threatened by litigation, but ethics has to do with being a great place to work and gaining commitment from employees because they trust managers and other co-workers and they care about doing the right thing. Trust comes from knowing that, while mistakes may be made, decisions and actions are based on values and ethics.

If you’ve been thinking about developing an Employee Supervision Handbook, now is the time and Cascade will help. Our model is designed to make the development and implementation of your own Employee Supervision Handbook quick and painless. 

It is natural to experience shock and anger when something terrible happens. Those who are “resilient,” or have a “Survivor Personality,” don’t let bad circumstances define who they are. They assess their choices and make the most wise and positive ones. 

Do you ever wonder why training doesn’t get “off-the-ground” or seems to get stuck? Glen Fahs, expert trainer and coach, and one of Cascade’s Leadership Facilitators, outlines some common struggles with training and the antidotes that can solve them.

Do you have time to take three days away from your office to develop your HR leadership skills? I know, I know – you’re really busy and that’s a long time to be out of the office. Well, we wouldn’t ask you to take three days away to participate in our HR Leadership Certificate Program if we weren’t absolutely certain it would be worth it.