Having Power

Weight of having strength and power

There are many concepts of what power means as well as what it is. Simply put, power is the ability to be effective. We speak of having powerful engines and equipment. The lion is known as the King of the Jungle because of its prowess and powerfulness. Leaders are known for their insight, vision, and ability to influence others to do (or overcome) certain things that were considered difficult for the ordinary.

Power isn’t allocated to an elite and unique class. It is something that derives from a number of sources and reasons.

Actual Power

Although some believe that only men (especially White men) are power brokers, that isn’t necessarily the case. It is also a common belief that only able-bodied people are powerful and capable of being effective. Being powerful comes from a number of sources.

• There is education that comes from learning being a good student in school and earning god grades. Some think of being a good student as having read the textbook and then checking the correct boxes on the Scantron during the examination.

  Still others believe that merely reading a lot of books, as well as newspapers and magazines, is the source of being well educated. That’s a piece of the formula.

• Education also comes from experience. Experience comes from exposure to situations, using good practices that net good outcomes, and then repeating those practices until they become second nature (require little to no pre-thought because the positive response, that has been reinforced many times over without contradiction) becomes intuitive and natural. Few have sat at a keyboard after reading a book about typing (or not having done so) and been able to type 150 words per minute. It takes practice to become capable.
• Being resourceful also provides certain advantages to leverage what seemed to be a disadvantage into an actual boon to effectiveness – and power. But resourcefulness stems from being not only educated about the properties of things but also being creative enough to realize the alternative uses for the traditional tools and situations.
• Therefore, another source of power is creativity.
• As we consider creativity, it needs to be remembered that raw elements (talents) have certain amazing properties. Unharnessed, they can be overwhelming and sometimes alarming, thereby deterring use. A certain amount of refinement can make the single raw talent (asset) become useful in many ways and attract even more bounties and alliances that previously considered. Refined use of abilities is critical to being powerful.

False Power

• Some feel their effectiveness and power over others stems from shouting down those who question what is being done. Yes, shouting will definitely drown out other voices. It will also turn away those who could have been supporters had the additional information been supplied.
• Then there’s use of force, sometimes coercion, in order to have power to get things done or influence action by others. Force and coercion ultimately produce impotence (ineffectiveness) of those who allow it. It also garners resentment, distrust, and negative reaction, loss of loyalty, and ultimately rejection by loss of alliance.
• Charismatic flattery will gain admiration and attraction. Caution: false flattery, while it appeals to the ego, will soon be seen for what it is – merely words used to get something in exchange for little in return.
• Duplicity is another form of false power. Some synonyms are “con game”, lying, sham, deceit, double-dealing, and hidden agenda, to name a few.

False power is only short lived in terms of being effective. Once the methodology is discovered, the loss of power becomes rapid and widespread. False power takes a lot of work because the audience, and potential supporters, is in constant need of being rebuilt in order to replace the attrition numbers.

The other thing about false power is the most important to remember. It’s evidence of lack of legitimate power. It’s evidence of a dangerous weakness that’s being camouflaged through the use of the above tactics, in addition to others not mentioned here. Don’t get caught showing how weak you really are.

Have Power

In sum, power flows from not a single class of people or thing. When it comes to considering a powerful person, it’s advisable to look for certain characteristics.

• Education
• Experience
• Vision
• Efficiency
• Time Sensitiveness
• Resourcefulness
• Refinement
• Professionalism
• Moderation
• Humility

It’s the short list. It’s also a “must have” list. Be certain what you seek is real, legitimate power and be powerful in doing so.

You May Also Find Useful

• The Wish for Power and the Fear of Having It
• Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility
• Ask Powerful Questions: Create Conversations That Matter

Worth a Read – September (Part 3)

A Wealth of Resources

Ahem. Yes, this is supposed to be the September-October issue of (new name) Worth a Read. But it’s still October! At any rate, the content that is worth your attention for entertainment, education, and current trends is here. A feeble attempt will be made this time around to create content in categories (no promises because I might stray). Rather than overwhelm you with a new form of a Mitchner novel, this will be a three-volume issue. Find Part 1 and Part 2 in these locations.

Something to Recommend?

You can be part of the creation of this list. All that’s needed is you post your suggestion to In a Word – CCJP for literature or post business-related recommendations to Entrances – Recruit and Retain with the title of the article, author, a brief summary of why it’s noteworthy, a link to the item, and the hashtag “WorthaRead”.

Literature

• Jessica Miller-Merrell is the CIO at Workology, an HR network. She recently offered a copy of Barney Feinberg’s book, The Chemistry Factor: Create Powerful Business Relationships for Greater Success, to a limited number of HR pros, writers, and bloggers. I just read the summary of the book and Feinberg’s background. For those who are in the OD space (or simply in business development in some way), this is definitely something you need to read and have on your bookshelf. Perhaps you can compare Feinberg’s recommendations to your current practices to determine where you want (or need) to make adjustments.
• Something tells me Laura Morelli is just the slightest bit elated about the acclaim her 4.5-star historical novel, The Painter’s Apprentice: A Novel of 16th-Century Venice, earned from Writer’s Digest.
• Geoff Boxell gives the latest novel in the Master of War series, Scourge of Wolves (Master of War Book 5), by David Gilman, 4 stars and says:
  

  . . . I re-enact a 14thC English archer, though one of a different temperament to Sir Thomas Blackstone. Because of this I have read all of the previous books in the Master of War series and even corresponded with the author, David Gilman.

  Talk to those who have been to war and they will tell you that it is 90% boredom, 9% excitement and 1% sheer terror, or something like that. Thus book reverses the ratio and it is 90% excitement and sheer terror, mostly for those who oppose Sir Thomas.

• Sandra Gulland rates The Lost History of Dreams
  by Kris Waldherr a 5 star historical read. See the summary on GoodReads.

Business

• Fahad Aslam Khokhar and Audrey Eisner-Hoeller have more than praise for for Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point. In fact, one of them refers to him as a thought leader while the other recommends you put his book on your library shelf (after you’ve read it). Says Fahad:
  

  For all those who feel that success is a stroke of luck for many, this book is worth a read. There are always some convincing reasons to explain why some business spread like a social epidemic called the Tipping Point.

Professional Development

• “Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It.” Really?, NICHOLAS CLAIRMONT, Big Think (July 31, 2013)
  The quote is ‘Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.’ Who is attributed with it; is it a valid notion?

• The Charge of the Heavy Brigade; or, Totalitarianism Is Thriving and It Is Our Fault, Nicholas Clairmont, Big Think (March 3, 2014
  Charge of the Light Brigade is the lead nut graph for this article. Consider whether you are merely carrying out the requirements of your job or are you acquiescing to something that is not acceptable. There are lessons in history that point to making a choice at the right time.

White Papers

• When it comes to careful selection of Board members, there are certain characteristics that are red flags. (National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) offers a complimentary copy of an article that provides guidance on screening and selecting directors. A Field Guide to Bad Directors, NACD Directorship (July/August 2018)
  Something of a primer for screening and selection of Board members. From “How to identify them. How not to become one” by Michael Pocalyko

Articles

• California Just Became the First State to Require Women on Corporate Boards. Here’s What You Need to Know, Sophia Bollag/Associated Press, Money (October 1, 2018)
  What does your board of directors look like? Brown has taken steps to address the long-held knowledge that boards that include women are more profitable and future focused.

• How to Prevent Discrimination in the Workplace, Michael Arnold, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, PC, XPert HR (a LexisNexis partner)
  Most employers are well aware that they must and should prevent discrimination in the workplace. Indeed, failing to curb discrimination can be costly and result in increased employee turnover and absenteeism, lower employee morale and productivity, and higher insurance premiums and defense costs, among other things. Therefore, it is important for employers to be proactive and prevent discrimination from occurring in the first place. To accomplish this goal, employers should consider the following steps. . .

• GM’s Commitment to People With Disabilities, Diversity, Inc.
  Providing solid reasoning for the inclusion factor when it comes to workers (and their families) with disabilities.

• Lawsuit-proof your company: 20 tips from HR peers, The HR Specialist, Business Management Daily (May 25, 2016)
  Best practices advice

• Words of HR Wisdom: 33 Great Hiring Tips From Your Peers, Patrick DiDomenico, Business Management Daily (October 15, 2013)
  Screening and interviewing: Two of the most important factors in creating a thriving and productive workplace. Advice relevant to not only managers and employers but also to job seekers.

Videos and Movies

• Carrie Goldberg’s statements regarding sexual harassment and victim shaming. On the whole, a great example of opposing lawyers fulfilling their duties and roles in regard to representing and defending their client’s interests.
  ABC World News (October 11, 2018).

• How Guam Became a Modern-Day Colony, Jun Stinson, Untold America (July 2, 2018)
  It’s important to learn more about how things have evolved in the U.S. that have cultural dynamics.

• Why “I’m not racist” is only half the story, Big Think Science (October 1, 2018)
  “If you’re not racist, why is racism still America’s biggest problem?”

• CROSSFIRE: THE TRIALS OF THE HOLLYWOOD TEN (THE BLACKLIST EPISODE #2), You Must Remember This (FEBRUARY 8, 2016)
  How many today either know about or recall the McCarthy Era? Is it possible this style of hysteria can happen again?

Resources:

• National Geographic History
• eBooks
• Decoded
• Staffing.org
• AARP Public Policy Institute
• AARP Politics & Society
• Job Accommodation Network
• Untold America

You May Also Like:

• Talent Genius
• Kindle eReader

Worth a Read – September (Part 2)

A Wealth of Resources

Ahem. Yes, this is supposed to be the September-October issue of (new name) Worth a Read. But it’s still October! At any rate, the content that is worth your attention for entertainment, education, and current trends is here. A feeble attempt will be made this time around to create content in categories (no promises because I might stray). Rather than overwhelm you with a new form of a Mitchner novel, this will be a three-volume issue. Find Part 1 and Part 3 in these locations.

Something to Recommend?

You can be part of the creation of this list. All that’s needed is you post your suggestion to In a Word – CCJP for literature or post business-related recommendations to Entrances – Recruit and Retain with the title of the article, author, a brief summary of why it’s noteworthy, a link to the item, and the hashtag “WorthaRead”.

Literature

• In August, Carolyn Hughes was staying in and doing a book tour chat with Linda Hill about A Woman’s Lot. If you’d like to know more about what to expect from a book tour, it’s well worth a visit to Linda’s visit with Carolyn.

  Says Linda in her review of the book:

  But what I truly hadn’t expected was that Linda would have time to read the book and leave a review! She’s a very busy lady and we only set up this “chat” a little while ago. But she did read A Woman’s Lot and she loved it! Stop by the blog and get in on the conversation. It’s worth a read.

  DO read her review at the end of the chat – it really is terrific, and I couldn’t be more delighted.

• Those interested in even more about Egypt may want to explore co-author and editor Renée Friedman’s collection, Egypt and Nubia: Gifts of the Desert.
• Beth Wilson shares a very moving review of Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain. She calls it one of the best books she’s read all year. With the mounting social tensions in the U.S., this real story of the dilemmas faced by a 1950s North Carolina social worker is bound to make you gnash your teeth.
• So Middle Ages history is your cup of tea. Well, Alex Marchant has this recommendation about a Richard III novel that’s also great for a family style worth a read:
  “In the week in which the sad events of the Battle of Bosworth are remembered, I’m pleased to say the second book in my series telling the last years in the life of King Richard III has been reviewed in the Richard III Society Bulletin.” The same reviewer who called ‘The Order of the White Boar’ ‘a wonderful work of historical fiction for both children and adults’, says that ‘The King’s Man’ is:

  “full of action, adventure and determination to succeed … well researched, with lots of historical fact … beautifully suited to ‘children’ between 8 and 108 … The narrative unfolds swiftly and Marchant keeps the pace moving along, just as events at that time developed quickly … I look forward to the third book in the series…”
  Both books are available in ebook and paperback.

• On my mind for quite some time are the McCarthy era, blacklisting, reputation management, and credibility. A recent Sunday news talk show featured Marvin Kalb during which he discussed his new book, Enemy of the People: Trump’s War on the Press, the New McCarthyism, and the Threat to American Democracy and I was inspired by his examination of the comparisons. Now a 5So Middle Ages history is your cup of tea. Well, Alex Marchant has this recommendation about a Richard III novel that’s also great for a family style worth a read:

  In the week in which the sad events of the Battle of Bosworth are remembered, I’m pleased to say the second book in my series telling the last years in the life of King Richard III has been reviewed in the Richard III Society Bulletin.

  The same reviewer who called The Order of the White Boar “a wonderful work of historical fiction for both children and adults,” says that The King’s Man is:

  full of action, adventure and determination to succeed … well researched, with lots of historical fact … beautifully suited to ‘children’ between 8 and 108 … The narrative unfolds swiftly and Marchant keeps the pace moving along, just as events at that time developed quickly … I look forward to the third book in the series…

  Both books are available in ebook and paperback-star rated title on GoodReads.

Business

• Arshya Vahabzadeh M.D.
  Chief Medical Officer, Brain Power. Clinical Psychiatrist, AI & AR Technology for Behavioral and Mental Health shares his enthusiasm about a new book on technology.

  Excited to see Reuters cover the deployment of our Brain Power AI technology to Schools in Massachusetts. Direct educator and student feedback has been very positive, and our research & development program is growing at an incredible pace. We are hiring for over a dozen positions, check our website for more details.

Professional Development

• Learn more about the nuts and bolts, as well as the elements of finesse and effectiveness via Peter Clayton’s interview on Total Picture Radio with the HR Bartender, Sharlyn Lauby. Be certain to get the book THE RECRUITER’S HANDBOOK A Complete Guide for Sourcing, Selecting, and Engaging the Best Talentso you have a ready reference tool by your side.
• A Lion in Court, Vincent Hallinan
  When the initial objection to Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the Supreme Court was raised, along with the timing of the incident, I wondered why the “[Terrence] Hallinan defense” (youthful indiscretion compared with indiscretion) wasn’t raised [See, TERENCE HALLINAN, Petitioner, v. COMMITTEE OF BAR EXAMINERS, THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA, Respondent, S. F. No. 22295, Supreme Court of California, 65 Cal. 2d 447; 421 P.2d 76; 55 Cal. Rptr. 228; 1966 Cal. LEXIS 214 (December 15, 1966)]. However in Hallinan’s situation, he was brought to trial because of a fist fight in his youth. He won his case and was exonerated. He also went on to become one of the most respected San Francisco lawyers.

• What’s the proper standard for a professional, especially one who is qualified to be certified to practice before the Supreme Court? Let us look to the history of Vincent Hallinan. What is considered enthusiastic defense of one’s client compared with unacceptable conduct?

White Papers

• When it comes to careful selection of Board members, there are certain characteristics that are red flags. (National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) offers a complimentary copy of an article that provides guidance on screening and selecting directors. A Field Guide to Bad Directors, NACD Directorship (July/August 2018)
  Something of a primer for screening and selection of Board members. From “How to identify them. How not to become one” by Michael Pocalyko

Articles

• Also with regard to crypto-currency, consider the knowledge provided in the i-Sight October 31 webinar, Cryptocurrency Transactions, Risks and Solutions (registration link).
• Kayla Sloan points out four risks of using crypto currency in 4 Risks of Using Cryptocurrency, Kayla Sloan, Due.com (July 11, 2018).
• “Ouvrir la Voix”: A Radically Frank Documentary About the Experience of Black Women in France, Richard Brody, The New Yorker (July 16, 2018)
  Raising the bar on cultural and diversity sensitivity and awareness.

• Nikki Haley to Resign as Trump’s Ambassador to the U.N., Maggie Haberman, Mark Landler and Edward Wong, New York Times (Oct. 9, 2018)
  What’s the real story behind the resignation? A new look at factors related to leadership.

• US unemployment falls to 3.7 percent _ lowest since 1969, Washington AP (October 06, 2018)
  Astounding employment news. We should question how the data was developed and what types of work and workers are included – or excluded.

Videos and Movies

• Diana Y. Paul grabs historical fiction authors’ and readers’ attention with her recommendation of a Spike Lee movie and read. The conversation comes from many parts of our U.S. population who have awareness of the KKK’s beginnings and purpose as well as how it has evolved into what it now represents. Get your teeth into BlacKkKlansman.

  As a supplement, Diana also recommend this item about the KKK from History.com, Ku Klux Klan.

• These Famous American Companies Were All Founded By Immigrants, IJR Blue Presents
  What I’m getting from this is that immigrants are good for business (opening jobs and keeping people employed, nurturing creativity) and the economy. They do not pose a threat to the public welfare but instead pose a benefit to it in many ways.

• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Has Bold Ideas to Fix Our Health Care System, IJR Blue Presents
  Some things you need to know for the upcoming mid-term election.hat

Resources:

• AARP Books
• BookBub
• Diversity, Inc.
• Staffing Industry Analysts
• National Association of Corporate Directors
• i-Sight Software
• Disability Scoop
• Office of Employment Policy Accommodations

You May Also Like:

• Talent Genius
• Kindle eReader

Worth a Read – September (Part 1)

A Wealth of Resources

Ahem. Yes, this is supposed to be the September-October issue of (new name) Worth a Read. But it’s still October! At any rate, the content that is worth your attention for entertainment, education, and current trends is here. A feeble attempt will be made this time around to create content in categories (no promises because I might stray). Rather than overwhelm you with a new form of a Mitchner novel, this will be a three-volume issue. Find Part 2 and Part 3 in these locations.

Something to Recommend?

You can be part of the creation of this list. All that’s needed is you post your suggestion to In a Word – CCJP for literature or post business-related recommendations to Entrances – Recruit and Retain with the title of the article, author, a brief summary of why it’s noteworthy, a link to the item, and the hashtag “WorthaRead”.

Literature

• In August, Michael Smith had a special free download for any of his mystery thrillers. Available in a large number of formats, your in for a treat if you’re a fan of this genre. All Michael asks is, “If you download one of them for free during the free book promotion and enjoy reading it, then I’d like to ask you for a favor. Would you be kind enough to leave a review for the book on Amazon? It’d be greatly appreciated!”
  Find three of Michael Ace Smith titles, out of the seven, on Goodreads. Or go to Amazon for the full array.

• What an opening Mary Deal has in her new ebook release, River Bones. If you’re into mysteries and suspense, it looks like this is a must have. It made Amazon’s Top 100.
• There are those times when we have questions, hard questions. That’s when it’s time to have a conversation with an authority. A neighbor recommends a great starting point. I’m not certain of which of the three is on her shelf, but she highly recommends Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch.

  In case you want to dive into the full conversation author Walsch has compiled, there is also the The Complete Conversations with God: An Uncommon Dialogue (Conversations with God #1-3)
  Or you can just start with one and savor the epiphanies derived from each new reading. Either way, it’s “Worth a Read.”

• So you’d expect that kings, ancient kings, kings and dignitaries of Egypt, would be given the utmost in treatment and respect, especially for their remains. However, Nupur Tustin tells us that isn’t necessarily the case when it comes to U.S. history. The story of Egypt Uncovered as told by Vivian Davies and Renée Friedman and via Amazon Prime is filled with shocking revelations.
• AARP offered their “Fall Books Preview” on August 29. You just may find something that tickles your fancy among the titles.

Business

• The Chemistry Factor: Create Powerful Business Relationships for Greater Success, Barney Feinberg
  A new release that covers a topic critical for success in business as well as personal relationships (think effective networking). I’m looking forward to diving into my copy.

• Business Etiquette and the Chain of Command, Russell Huebsch, Chron
  It’s important to the overall functioning of an organization to follow the traditional chain of command. Any thoughts about why?

Professional Development

• EasyTechGuides on YouTube
• Soul on Ice
  In light of the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings and the revelations about his past,plus the sentencing of Bill Cosby, many recollections surface. In particular is Eldridge Cleaver’s _Soul on Ice_. It’s the only book I’ve ever attempted to read and by the end of Chapter 2 put it back on the shelf with a vow to never read anything from him. Get a copy of the book and learn why.

• Marcia Bridges Merrill, Life Coach, Psychologist, author, and consultant has some titles that are helpful on many fronts. Explore the concepts and recommendations she makes in her any one, or all, of her books – The Perfect Network-Out, Balancing, Creating & Living Wealth + Wellness and Manifesting a New Life: Money, Love, Health and Everything in Between for starters. I recommend these titles not only for those involved in professions that involve understanding and appreciating the conditions of people who are being served but also for those who need to be served.

White Papers

• When it comes to careful selection of Board members, there are certain characteristics that are red flags. (National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) offers a complimentary copy of an article that provides guidance on screening and selecting directors. A Field Guide to Bad Directors, NACD Directorship (July/August 2018)
  Something of a primer for screening and selection of Board members. From “How to identify them. How not to become one” by Michael Pocalyko

Articles

• Although tantamount to an op/ed piece, Former Trump official: No one ‘minding the store’ at White House on cyberthreats (Michael Isikoff, Chief Investigative Correspondent, Yahoo News (July 25, 2018)), still says a lot about the quality of leadership and governance on behalf of our nation. Who can provide an unbiased, factual account of what’s happening in the White House?
• AARP reports on the July employment data. Given that the workforce is now comprised of *four* age demographics, we need to ask ourselves why there is such a large discrepancy between the under 50 demographic and the 55+ demographic.

  One other thing the blog points out is that wages have remained flat over a long period of time, thereby necessitating multiple sources of gig economy work that either substitutes for normal regular employment or (more likely) supplements normal regular employment. All of that to merely earn a livable wage.

• BLS provides data, via TED: The Economics Daily, “Labor force participation rate, at 62.8 percent, changed little in August 2014” (September 09, 2014) to measure current activity.
• 5 Pieces of Career-Changing Advice From Navy Fighter Pilots, John Boitnott, VIP CONTRIBUTOR, Journalist, Digital Media Consultant and Investor, Entrepreneur September 5, 2018)
  A prescription for every person, not just Navy fighter pilots.

• Listening to the financial news from September 7, especially with regard to the aspects of BitCoin and BlockChain, brought forth some speculation about using that currency as the medium for wages. It appears Korean firms have a position on the question and it doesn’t look good from the worker’s standpoint. See, Korean Cryptocurrency Firms Unwilling to Pay Talent High Salaries, Shaurya Malwa, BTC Manager (July 10, 2018)

Videos and Movies

• There’s a debate about the statement Kapernick is making. The statement is called free speech. To punish him for his speech and essentially tell him he has no right to peacefully object is to plunge him into a modern version of slavery. The ills of this country do not begin and stop with the impact on the Negro ethnicity. It also historically impacts those who are of Chinese, Japanese, and Native American descent. And these days, it’s beginning to include those who are part of the Muslim community.
  What does our flag represent? What is patriotism?

• It’s important when seeking a barometer for leadership role models and good ethical practices. Consider the Cuomo video that challenges the information we have about White House leadership and ethics. I believe the expert’s assessment that Cohen is looking for a “get out of jail free” card is very accurate. However, what I also am seeing is a replay of All the President’s Men.
• When it comes to sexual harassment, it appears status also brings privilege along with the ability to intimidate. All we need do is look to our national leader (our poster child) for an example. But here we have the leader of one of the leading news stations facing the disclosure.
• A new series is coming to us via Netflix called Rise of the Phoenixes (find video). Rather unique as far as Western entertainment is concerned, this series, as Erica McDonald tells us, is set in ancient China. Time for discovery and enlightenment.

  Perhaps this is the story in book form The legend of Fuyao by Tian Xia Gui Yuan. Not only worth viewing for those who want to know and understand Chinese history and culture, also “Worth a Read.”

Resources:

• Goodreads
• eBooks
• Wolters Kluwers
• Risk & Insurance
• Directors and Boards
• Corporate Board
• Mathematica Policy Research

You May Also Like:

• Talent Genius
• Kindle eReader

Recommended Reading Name Change

A Wealth of Resources

When do we become bored with uninspired titles? It seems the author, who is supposed to be creative and engaging, lost the Creativity Muse and strove to muddle through without her. (So sad. Clio is a wonderful muse.)

How many of you yawn when you see the heading for each new installment of the reading list? I’ll admit it; I do. That’s why I embarked on a campaign to collect suggestions for a more catchy, engaging name for the publication. None were received.

Not to be daunted, there was fallback to the title used several years ago. Hearing no objections, nor alternative suggestions, the next installment of “Recommended Reading” intended for September-October will become

Worth a Read

The list is being aggregated on my Facebook editing services page In a Word – CCJP where recommendations for the next publication can be posted (without the need to register to do so).

Inclusion of a brief reason why the items is exceptional is requested. The name of the author or publisher (or both) can be extremely helpful.

The September-October issue of “Worth a Read” is in process and will be published within a few days. That doesn’t preclude recommending future items, whether fiction, poetry, essay, business, print, audio, visual, or just some good food for the brain.

Resources:

• GoodReads
• BookBub
• eBooks
• Risk & Insurance
• Claims and the Law and
• The Profession section
• AARP‘s Fall Reading List
• Wolters Kluwers Labor and Employment Law

Useful Links:

• Talent Genius
• Read The Deskk on Kindle

Back in the Day

Previous roles are changed as life cycles evolve.

Today is Gerry Crispin’s birthday. He’s over 55 which is one of the thresholds for deeming a person as old, or ready to retire, or antiquated, or no longer useful. In other words, a target for age discrimination, whether passive or overt. Yet those who are 40 and older, even as old as in their late 80s, are still active in the work marketplace via many forms of employment and engagement. There is still a need for their knowledge, skills, and talent. Those attributes, those assets, provide a great deal of value to whatever enterprise chooses to include them in their mixture of talent.

I used this day to post a (as usual) teasing birthday wish to Gerry that read: “Have people started asking you about what you did back in the day? I just know you have a great response for that.”

For those of you who are curious about how “back in the day” is defined, Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English says it means “a long time ago, when you were much younger.”

Actually (never short on words or responses), Gerry did have a great public response, while also laughing at himself. It was:

lol. When the dinosaurs roamed the earth, recruiting was different but, as a candidate, you could physically apply to more companies then on a given day (Saturday before noon) with envelopes, paper resumes and stamps than you can in an entire week online. We could do a test…if there were any newspaper classifieds left but there isn’t so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

He raises some good discussion points. Undaunted, I had a response to his observations.

In the days of classified ads, all people were paid a minimum, livable wage. Thus, they were able to afford the cost of paper, copies, envelopes, stamps, transportation costs. But then, mailboxes were on every other street corner or the postal worker picked up the outgoing letters while delivering the new.

In those days, also, there wasn’t as much research required (or at least invested in) finding a job.

Now, in this digital age, there is less volume in terms of sent resumes because there’s more need for research. The challenges of making online applications can be time consuming if the employer doesn’t have a good webmaster.

Additionally, people are so busy working two, and up to five, jobs (as well as gigs) that they simply don’t have the time to do as many applications as back in the ’60s.

Then there are the discouragement and disillusion factors.

Gen Xers and Millennials (and even some who are older) have no qualms about expressing their belief that gray hair is an indication of being old, retired, and no longer active in the workforce. They will politely inquire about what it was like “back in the day” while forgetting that there are many who have gray hair and hold very responsible positions in businesses, while sitting on boards of directors, practicing from the bench (Associate Justice Kennedy), and being very involved in their consulting and training professions.

These gray- and white-haired stoics are not out in the pasture. An elite number have managed to stay afloat in the relevant and needed arena and are proving their worth in gold. And there are those who have been worn down to the rim and taken out of the game, many times not by choice.

Applying for work “back in the day” was more reasonable in many ways. No longer is it possible to simply take the “Help Wanted” sign out of the window and hand it to the owner while saying, “I’d like to apply for the job,” and get considered (even hired) on the spot. Job search was supposed to get better because of technological advances and the reach of cyber presence which also reduced the cost associated with conducting a search and vying for the gold ring along with that younger group.

There’s a vast amount of value in these vintage competitors. The training and preparation during their early days of school was different, more sound. There wasn’t a mass flocking to garner a degree, or even an advanced degree. There was substance being taught and concepts demonstrated in classroom discussion. There was actual experience gained through internships and volunteer work that didn’t detract from earning a meaningful living wage. Wage earning and work experience happened through various channels. For most, that experience and education was recognized and rewarded. But that was back in the day.

References:

• From guns to gay rights, Justice Anthony Kennedy was the Supreme Court’s swing vote, Richard Wolf, USA TODAY (3:32 p.m. ET June 27, 2018 | Updated 10:24 p.m. ET June 27, 2018)
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
• Age Discrimination
• EEOC Head On Age Discrimination By Employers, Chris Farrell Contributor, Next Avenue (Aug 17, 2018, 01:00pm)
• Facebook will remove 5,000 ad targeting categories to prevent discrimination, Nick Statt, The Verge (Aug 21, 2018, 1:23pm EDT)
• Try These 7 Smart Strategies to Find a Job, Randy Lilleston, AARP (March 23, 2018)
• Avoid the Seven Mistakes Job Seekers in Their 50s Make, How to sell yourself in a digital work world, sharpen your interview skills and write a look-at-me résumé, James A. Martin, AARP

Resources:

• Unfinished Work: The Struggle to Build an Aging American Workforce
• HR Genius

Recommended Reading – July

A Wealth of Resources

It’s July. It’s Summer. Life is supposed to be lived at a slower pace so that we don’t get overheated and burned to a spent match. Hey. There’s too much to be aware of and consumed. But let’s find some of the really good nuggets to keep our minds fresh and focused on the better side of the issues – and help us be wary of omens and trends.

With all that being said, Here’s the list of reading morsels recommended and found in various environs.

The Los Angeles Public Library offers a place where job seekers can access tools to aid in their career transitions. These tools are essentially universal (not limited to Los Angeles nor to California) so feel free to learn about and start using them (ahem, in addition to staying up to date with the knowledge available on Career Coach Corner

• AARP offers their recommendations for Summer movies.
• They also entice Summer reading choices from their June newsletter
• as well as their Summer fiction preview announced in May
• On the subject of Personal Finance, AARP offers two titles by one of their writers, Kimberly Palmer, which are “Smart Mom, Rich Mom: How to Build Wealth While Raising a Family and The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life.

Offered by Ron from Starbucks Reserve (July 3) are

• The Funding of Scientific Racism: Wickliffe Draper and the Pioneer Fund by William H. Tucker
• The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors by Francis Cress Welsing

NACD Directorship Magazine offers Tools for Being an Effective Director download

HR pros Franny Oxford and Jessica DeFeo have formed a White women’s discussion group that has a recommended reading list you’ll want to have under your belt (no matter what your ethnicity). Too extensive to enumerate each title, here’s the post that provides the list.

In conjunction with the leaning toward affirmative action items, be certain you get your hands on Flora Davis’ Moving the Mountain either to read it or re-read it.

Pinterest offers some especially interesting and useful items related to the subject of Strategic Planning.

Many of us are aware that 82-year-old Associate Justice Kennedy retired two weeks ago. He is far from over the hill and he is definitely not useless. But for those who are threatened with being put into a persistent vegetative state, consider reading the study Can Volunteering Fight Dementia?

The Christian Science Monitor provided an interesting investigation of the issues confronting the Supreme Court on the matters of travel and Executive privilege in their article “As Supreme Court hears travel ban, questions of presidential authority also on docket.”

Resources:

• eBooks
• GoodReads
• Wolters Kluwer
• Read The Desk on Kindle
• Or get your fill of useful training at Talent Genius

Recommended Reading – May

A Wealth of Resources

Yes, this is supposed to be the May-June Recommended Reading. Would you believe I was held hostage by a savage group of recruiters? How about a mob of HR pros? Oh well, can’t say I didn’t try to come up with an excuse.

Nevertheless, the contributions were sparse but very good. This revival is so new that not many are aware of where or how to submit recommendations nor what the criteria for submissions is.

What to Submit

Submissions can be anything you believe is worthwhile reading, print, digital, or audio. It can be a white paper, journal article, a blog post or article. It can be fiction or non-fiction, and any genre in that space. Humor is good to balance out enlightenment. Even sports and recreation is worth inclusion.

When to Submit

The cutoff date for the bi-monthly post is the 25th of the month. (Shame faced: This post was supposed to be published at the end of May.)

Where to Submit

The best place to lodge a submission is to post the title, a brief summary, and link in the “Books & Publications” folder at Entrances Bulletins. In order to post in the Bulletins, it’s necessary to register with the site. There’s no fee unless you want more advanced features and search capabilities. The registration will also allow you to respond, comment, or share information of your own that’s either a bulletin board item or a conversation starter. Please post your recommendations to the thread for the next issue.

If that’s a pain in the neck, you can also email your recommendation to me. Please include the information requested – title, summary, link. Include in the Subject Line: “Recommended Reading – [Month]”.

May – June Reading Suggestions

Now that the preamble is done, let’s get into what showed up on the reading radar. In no particular order nor grouping, here’s what came across The Desk:

• Doug Shaw recommended The Descent of Man by Grayson Perry as well as The Will to Change by bell hooks.
• Nikki Dee wondered where to find some titles and resources re 1820s – 1850s regarding the English working poor. She received over 30 recommendations.
• Annie Petersen shared an inspiring quote from Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now by Maya Angelou. The excerpt says,
  

  Each one of us has the right and the responsibility to assess the roads which lie ahead, and those over which we have traveled, and if the future road looms ominous or unpromising, and the roads back uninviting, then we need to gather our resolve and, carrying only the necessary baggage, step off that road into another direction. If the new choice is also unpalatable, without embarrassment, we must be ready to change that as well.

  Is there a portion of this title that inspires you?

• Susanne Dunlap questioned her writing styles for young adult audiences. Sample one of her 4+ star titles, In the Shadow of the Lamp or try Emilie’s Voice.
• Easily with which many can relate in light of our current domestic affairs, Marcia Fine tells the story of life during turmoil via Hidden Ones: A Life of Memories. It won its seventh award from Jewish Arts & Culture.
• Just where do you think the story of life is evolving in Maria Gibb’s shares a snippet from Sins of the Father: Children from the Streets Book 2 . The interesting thing about this stolen glance into the story is that the reader is made acutely aware of the peril about our protagonist yet the excerpt is poignant. Is this in Allepo, somewhere in Nicaragua, or one of our domestic neighborhoods?
• Aside from the fact that she is the author, it was obvious what motivated Suzi Stembridge to share her enthusiasm for The Scorpion’s Last Tale. The thoughts that went through my mind after considering her words related to the work that went into creating those captivating and complicated stories. How much attention to detail and research went into the work so that the reader didn’t feel bogged down by the details but driven to continue reading in order to learn more and discover what was coming to the end while yearning for more of the tale.

  Likewise, it would be interesting to learn how others feel about writing for business and how a report can be turned into a captivating story for the sake of the stakeholders. The two forms of communication are very parallel.

• Being a researcher for an author resulted in a fan who wrote a wonderful review. That’s the difficulty with learning new things and getting into the undercover story. You get hooked! Just look what happened to poor Jacqueline Reiter who said, “I finished Lynn Bryant’s An Unwilling Alliance this morning, and can’t really do full justice to it in a review, but it’s a book I wholeheartedly recommend (and not just because helping with some of the author’s research questions brought me a valuable new friendship).”
• And just for the sake of fun, consider an award-winning time travel, Summer of Love by Lisa Mason seems to be one candidate.

Business and Nonfiction

It seems a good time to compare and contrast conditions prior to the current administration to now. Especially significant are the changes in attitudes toward opioids and the impact previously illicit drugs have on the workplace. To the headache of managers and HR professionals is means of reducing workers comp claims as well as better methods of screening for responsible hiring.

• Trump’s Tax Plan and How It Affects You
• Comparing the wage gap via a calculator provides some interesting insights at #shiftTheBalance
• Opioids and the Injured Worker. Is there an opioid epidemic? The answer seems to be a resounding yes. Across the country, addiction and excessive use of prescription opioids are wreaking havoc.
• Repackaging & Physician Dispensed Drugs in Workers’ Compensation: Proven Strategies. A growing number of states have seen a rise in physician-dispensed drugs, a challenge that has been rapidly increasing in frequency over the last decade.
• Workplace Gun Deaths Becoming More Commonplace. Homicides and suicides in U.S. workplaces are increasing year over year.
• Workers’ Comp Docket. The latest workers’ comp court decisions on cannabis reimbursement, safety criteria in hiring practices, attorney fees, interstate claims and more.
• Legal Spotlight. A look at the latest court decisions impacting the insurance industry.
• Some want inspiration in order to realize their dreams and goals. Get your hands on Edgy Conversations: How Ordinary People Can Achieve Outrageous Success by Dan Waldschmidt
• Hillary Clinton on Economy and Jobs Would Hillary Have Created More Jobs Than Bill?
• What Is Global Investment Risk? Important Global Risk Factors to Consider

To see the other items curated in the folder, go to Reading Recommendations-May ’18.

Remember to submit your own recommendations for the next publication by simply clicking “Reply”, inserting the item along with a URL, and then click “Post”.

Resources:

• eBooks
• Good Reads
• Risk & Insurance Risk Central White Papers
• engagedly Performance Management issues
• Employee Benefit News

Additional Resources:

• Talent Genius
• Read The Desk on Kindle
• Kindle Short Reads

Vocabulary Builder: Cogent and Lucid

Going to the source

Yes, it’s back, the Vocabulary Builder feature. The best I can tell you at this time is that it will be a monthly feature. It will consist of words, phrases, evolving concepts, and all that “stuff” that sounds really great but few are aware of what it really means – or they’ve forgotten.

This month starts with two words. They seem relevant because of the way our social atmosphere is starting to go.

The first word is “cogent.”

Dictionary.com tells us it’s an adjective. Great site that it is, it even provides various iterations in the form of adverbs as well as adjectives. It has two definitions, which essentially convey the same idea, being:

1. convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation; telling.
2. to the point; relevant; pertinent.

We strive to make cogent (clear and understandable) presentations at our department meetings. We want the client sales presentation to be relevant to their needs so that they will be more inclined to purchase our product instead of that produced by the competition. The interview was so cogent that it convinced the Hiring Committee to go with Candidate A instead of Candidates B or C.

Clear and convincing is what we’re attempting to communicate by using the word “cogent.”

Now what about this word, “lucid?” How did that get hauled into this conversation? (Would you believe My Muse forced me to include it?)

It’s another adjective (a word that describes the subject of the sentence). Again, Dictionary.com is my point of reference. They define the word as meaning:

1. easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible: a lucid explanation.
2. characterized by clear perception or understanding; rational or sane: a lucid moment in his madness.
3. shining or bright.
4. clear; pellucid; transparent.

Well. Although my consciousness demanded that both words be included in this re-launch, it appears there was more purposefulness to this than mere whim.

Helpful Resources:

• PHR/SPHR Recertification
• Read The Desk on Kindle

Over 50 and Counting

Experience-based Qualification

One of the things I’m an advocate about is inclusive employment for those over 50. They bring to the table a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be crossed over to other matters. It’s because of the awareness.

These are people who, actuarially speaking, have a lot more and a lot longer to making the social and business milieu better and we should avail ourselves of those benefits rather than shove them into a space and make them vegetate. Practice keeps abilities sharp and honed. Think of tools that rust and deteriorate from lack of use and maintenance.

Mental and physical practice are also tools that deserve to be kept sharp. Like a well-seasoned cooking vessel, they get better with time and continued use. Here’s evidence of one such person – who also realized there was “another door” that could be opened.

Resources:

• 5 Factors That Affect Your Employee’s Productivity, National Business Research Institute
• Media Professional Turned Personal Trainer, AARP
• Businessman Turned Prison Tutor, AARP
• Retiree Lands Bike Tour Job on Venice Beach, AARP
• Retired Teacher Gets Girls Into STEM, AARP
• Another Door
• SCORE
• ADEA

Additional Resources:

• Older Workers: Enhanced Communication among Federal Agencies Could Improve Strategies for Hiring and Retaining Experienced Workers: GAO-09-206
• Prolonged Employment of Older Workers: Determinants of Managers’ Decisions Regarding Hiring, Retention and Training (NiDi Books)
• Read The Desk on Kindle