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Note from Sue
 Bright
yellow pansies with cheerful faces upturned to the sun…Spring has
come at long last to my corner of the world (after a short teaser in
April and a DREADFULLY long winter). I’ve been potting and raking up
a storm. I’ve managed to collect twenty-one bags of yard waste so
far on the “maintenance-free” grounds of our new home! Who was I to
know that not having deciduous leaves to rake meant that an equal
number of pinecones would be taking their place? Ah well…I truly
enjoy stretching the winter muscles and feeling the sun on my
shoulders.
In the midst of all this satisfying outdoor work, I was wrestling
with coming up with a newsletter theme to link with this issue’s
feature article, “The Diversity Dance”.
Here goes my attempt to draw a connection to Development by Design’s
work with emerging minority leaders and my garden…
Some of the plants in my garden are clearly thriving. They are
ideally suited for their soil conditions; the angle of the sun and
amount of exposure is just right; and, they fit in well with their
neighboring plants. Other plants will need a better location to be
able to flourish. The hardiest will simply grow wherever they are
planted, regardless of how suitable the conditions.
I am extremely passionate about Development by Design’s work with
diverse candidates recruited to bring broader perspectives to their
new workplaces. (see sidebar on our program,
Set Up to Soar) Despite
the most valiant of recruitment efforts, all too often employers do
not dialogue with their new hires—particularly minorities-- on how
to best set them up for success. Figuratively speaking, the best
soil conditions, ideal sunlight and appropriate nourishment are
topics that are overlooked or deliberately side-stepped for fear of
giving too much of an advantage to these new recruits.
Our company will often get asked for advice on how to make positive
changes to enhance our clients’ workplaces. But, frankly, we don’t
always get the opportunity to address the organization as a system.
There are times when our coaches must simply work directly with
talented new hires to coach them to find the nourishment they need;
to create the conditions around them to succeed; and, in essence, to
bloom where they are planted.
This principle applies to all of us in our working and personal
lives. Sometimes we simply have to:
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work with a difficult boss
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make do with resources that are
constrained
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deal with a floundering economy,
or
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cope with challenging personal
circumstances that deplete our energy and distract from our
ability to focus.
Successful people do indeed bloom where they are planted and
when they are no longer growing…they figure out a way to uproot
themselves with self-preservation in mind.
So…what’s in bloom for you?
Let me know how you are finding ways of getting sunshine and
nourishment in your work.
And if you’ve recently transplanted yourself… be sure to check
out our new onboarding coaching group sessions,
Ramp-Up Right!™
Enjoy this season of growth!
Sue Edwards
President
Development-By-Design
www.development-by-design.com
www.clearingthe90dayhurdle.com
Sue's Blog
http://development-by-design.blogspot.com/
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News & Upcoming Events
September 10-12, 2008
NC State Annual Human Resource Conference
www.nc.shrm.org
Gina Columna & Sue Edwards presenting, “It’s HR’s Turn:
Enough with the Shoemaker’s Children Syndrome”
To participate in or receive a copy of our research survey on
development investment in HR, email
info@development-by-design.com
Recent Book Release!
Sue’s Chapter, “You Gotta’ Flip It On Its Head: 4 Key
Strategies for Leadership Success” is printed in
Leadership
Gurus Speak Out.
Order your copy before June 31, 2008 and receive a bonus copy of
Awaken the Workplace 2.
Click here to order now
Clearing the 90-Day Hurdle: Ramp-Up Right!™
Groups
Click here for a list of monthly ramp-up sessions for new
hires in their first 6 months with a new employer.
Quick Links
Sue’s
Blog Post
Resumes Are Out!
New position for Spring/Summer
2008?
Click here for ideas for a smooth ramp up
Set Up to Soar!
Onboarding program targeted to support the success of your
talented diverse new hires. Recruitment is just the beginning!
Click here to learn more |
