• Login to Resource Center
  • Home
  • Services
    • Insight Memberships
    • Advisory Services
    • Speaking
    • Workshops
    • Transition Advisory Services
    • Research Projects
  • Books
  • Publications
    • Articles
    • Newsroom
    • Reports
    • White Papers
    • CDs
  • Appearances
    • Events and Podcasts/Webcasts
    • Videos
    • London Business School
  • About
    • Team
    • Partners
    • Contact
  • Ask Tammy
Tammy Erickson Associates Building Intelligent Organizations Tammy Erickson

Ask Tammy

Facing a career decision? Puzzled by a co-worker’s point of view? Struggling with a specific workplace dilemma? Looking for ways to improving engagement, collaboration, or innovation within your organization? Wanting to learn more about something I said in one of my books?

I’ll do my best to offer some suggestions, if you “Ask Tammy.”

Q&A: The Importance of Positive Attitudes in the Workplace Today

I work as a manager for a rather large company. As the economy changes, the roles of our workers change, and the company program that worked before is no longer effective. As a result, the company is trying to change how it interacts with it’s associates. Unfortunately, much of the management staff is stuck in the “old way” of thinking, where associate engagement was not a big factor. I like to think that I’m in the new way of thinking. I’d like to know if you have any kind of specialized training on effective mentorship and associate engagement. I’ve read some of you work, and I believe that positive attitudes foster positive attitudes.

Joan

Hi Joan—

I completely agree that employee engagement is very important today.  And, yes, I have done a lot of work in this area.  The essence of my work is perhaps best summarized as “Meaning is the New Money”—in other words, it’s important for companies to create a values-based environment.  I explore these ideas in an HBR article called “What It Means to Work Here,” available at Harvard Business Review’s website.

I love your positive attitude!  Best wishes,

Tammy

Filed under: Talent Management Approaches | Published: 01/15/11

Q&A: Boomers and Aging Parents

I just came from your presentation at Texas Wesleyan College this afternoon and enjoyed it very much.

But I would love to hear your take on how the Boomers are handling the enormous responsibity many have had to take on with aging parents, when they themselves are aging.

Linda

Dear Linda,

Thanks very much for your note.

Caring for aging parents is a major responsibility for many Boomers, and a growing number of X’ers, today.  The one optimistic note I can offer is that today’s longer life expectancies mean that Boomers are not aging quite as quickly as members of their parents’ generation did.  As a result, happily, most Boomers still have the vitality required to handle this significant challenge.

Warm wishes,

Tammy

Filed under: Boomers | Published: 01/15/11

Q&A: Perceptions of a Gap Year

Hello Tammy. 

I recently stumbled upon your article regarding gap years in the midst of research for my career development seminar.  I am taking time off after I graduate college in May and going to the Middle East where I will volunteer and afterward travel towards Asia.  I am most likely going to apply to law school upon my return unless I experience a change of heart while away.  I have heard mixed reviews regarding how graduate schools and companies view gap years.  Some say that they are beneficial to a potential employee or student and others, I’ve heard, see a gap year as a lack of focus and dedication.  What do you think is the more popular belief these days, especially during such rough economic times?

Daniel

Hi Daniel,

I’m believe most graduate schools and companies see gap years as excellent ways to gain additional perspective and experience—and encourage them.

Enjoy your travels—and many wishes for future success.

Tammy

Filed under: Career Strategies | Published: 01/15/11

Q&A: Weaning Your Old Team Away from Your Help

I’ve just taken a new job within my division. I was a regional sales director based out of NYC. My new role is head of training for the east coast. My successor is not based in NY, however the majority of the business for the region is out of NYC. I’m having a hard stepping away from my old position as my old team still comes to me with questions, the new person (with 15 years of tenure) is guilting me into helping out. How do I step away to focus on my new role without not looking like a team player and without looking like a jerk

Many thanks in advance for any assistance here.

Bob

Hi Bob,

I hope the situtaion is easing a bit over time.

The strategy I’d suggest is that you look for ways to reposition yourself in the eyes of your former colleagues by discussing, or otherwise making evident, the new work you’re doing.  It’s much easier to say that you’re not able to help if it’s in the context of other work that must be done.  Perhaps out-of-office messages that state that you’re out all week at a training program?  Or an email to your old team asking their input on a new course you’re designing?  Any way you can politely remind them that you have a full commitment to your new responsibilities should help reduce the number of times they turn to you.

Best wishes for success in your new role.

Warmly,

Tammy

Filed under: Leadership | Published: 01/15/11

Q&A: Generations within Volunteer Organizations

Dear Tammy,

I have been quite interested in your work for a while based on my experiences as both a volunteer and someone who works with volunteers.  I would argue that generational differences are even more stark in volunteer workforces and potentially more damaging, because if people aren’t getting paid they are more likely to leave an organization if they are frustrated with the work environment.  On the plus side, if people are passionate about a cause they will stay, but sometimes their passion gets in the way of effective teamwork.

Do you have any insights on how volunteer coordinators could foster better communication and teamwork among the generations?

Thank you,

Andrea

Hi Andrea,

You raise a very important point—volunteer organizatons DO have to be better at talent management because people are even more likely to leave if they don’t like the work environment than they would from paid jobs.

The fundamental principles are the same, however.  Leaders should legitimize the diversity of perspectives across the generations.  (“I recognize that you each may have different views on this—each is valid.”)  Then, leaders should establish or help the group establish some working norms.  (“In this situation, for this reason, let’s follow this norm.”)  The generational frustration comes in when the guidelines aren’t clearly established, people use their best judgment (but often come to different conclusions about what is best), and other people then misjudge their intentions.  As a leader, your role is to head this vicious cycle off before it begins.

I hope that helps.

Best wishes,

Tammy

Filed under: Talent Management Approaches | Published: 01/15/11

Page 4 of 12 pages « First  <  2 3 4 5 6 >  Last »

Ask a question

All fields required.




Thinkers50
tammy erickson
Named one of the top 50 global business thinkers in 2015

Connect with Tammy

Join her email list: [View Sept. 2015 Newsletter]


Follow on Twitter

See on YouTube

Search

Recent Entries

  • Traits and Characteristics of Leaders Across the Different Generations
  • Are Gen Xers Good Leaders for the Y Generation
  • Stuck in Middle Management
  • Translating the Need for Change to Baby Boomers
  • Trends and Issues in Operation Design

Categories

  • Boomers
  • Career Strategies
  • Surviving in Today's Economy
  • Comparisons Among the Generations
  • Information on Tammy
  • Innovation
  • Generation Y
  • Leadership
  • Interactions with Your Manager
  • Talent Management Approaches
  • Workplace Strategies
Back To Top
  • TEA's Latest...

    Article: Interview with Tammy Erickson

    SMG Jahrbuch, March, 2017

    Video: HRD Summit | An Interview with Lynda Gratton and Tammy Erickson

    February, 2017

    Article: Management-Guru Tamara Erickson: Auf den Spuren des Erfolgs

    Neue Zurcher Zeitung, August, 2016

    Article: Organising to optimise intelligence

    London Business School Review, April, 2016

    White Paper: Tapping Into Multi-Generational Talent

    Speech Tammy presented at a recent Schwab Advisor Services event, April, 2016

    NewsItem: LBS experts ranked in Top 30 Management Professionals

    London Business School, March, 2016

    Video: Claiming Our Humanity - Managing in the Digital Age (Full Panel Discussion)

    Drucker Forum 2015, December, 2015

    Video: Claiming Our Humanity - Managing in the Digital Age

    Drucker Forum 2015, December, 2015

    Video: Drucker Forum 2015 - Impressions

    Drucker Forum 2015, December, 2015

    NewsItem: Six London Business School Academics in Thinkers50

    London Business School, November, 2015

    Next >
  • Workshop: What It Means to Work Here

    Deliver Our Most Popular Workshops In Your Own Organization

    Keeping Up, Moving Ahead <em>and</em> Getting the Career You Want

    Keeping Up, Moving Ahead and Getting the Career You Want.

    The Generation Y Guide to Thriving At Work

    The Generation Y Guide to Thriving At Work

    Retire Retirement

    Career Strategies for the Boomer Generation

    Workforce Crisis

    How To Beat The Coming Shortage Of Skills And Talent

    Third Generation R&D

    Managing The Link To Corporate Strategy

    Re-Think Ten Assumptions that Are No Longer True…But Still Shape Our Organizations Today

    Re-Think 10 Assumptions that Are No Longer True But Still Shape Our Organizations

    4 Keys to Successful Enterprise Collaboration

    Four Keys to Successful Enterprise Collaboration

    Generations and Geography

    Understanding the Diversity of Generations around the Globe

    Building Organizations to Leverage Collaborative Technologies

    Building Organizations to Leverage Collaborative Technologies

    How Collaboration Will Drive the Next Step Change in Productivity

    How Collaboration Will Drive the Next Step Change in Productivity

  • Ask Tammy

    Join the discussion: Traits and Characteristics of Leaders Across the Different Generations

    Ask your question about work and the changing workplace here>>

  • Home |
  • Services |
  • Publications |
  • Workshops |
  • Contact |
  • Ask Tammy
  • Copyright 2025 Tammy Erickson, All Rights Reserved
  • Webmaster: Dillweed Productions