Debra Benton 
Just as you owe it to people to praise them, you owe it to them to offer constructive feedback. When you have individuals directly assigned to you, it is essential to be a teacher, mentor, positive critic, and advocate for their personal and career growth. You can’t do this if you aren’t giving constructive feedback. … Read more
Whether it’s “your fault” or not, being let go can be a traumatic experience. It invariably produces emotions ranging from disbelief and rage to guilt, shame, and depression. It can create financial stress, which often leads to serious anxiety and conflicts within families. And the sense of uncertainty and loss of control that goes with … Read more
A business friend of mine named Garret once played a mischievous trick on his employees. He pulled out their resumes from his file and made a few changes to them. He altered the employees’ names, the names of the companies they’d worked for, and other details that would identify each employee. At the next staff … Read more
Change sometimes needs a little push. If you’re feeling the need for something different, you shouldn’t count on your situation to change on its own. Instead, consider what you can do to take responsibility for your career and life. Sometimes this will mean making a drastic move like looking for a new job. A new … Read more
It’s exciting to once again be entering a new year and a fresh start (although I’m a little concerned about a year that sounds like “2020 Won”). A new year always feels like a chance for positive change. I’m not talking about grandiose New Year’s resolutions (although those are all well and good). Instead, I’m … Read more
As we (finally) approach the end of 2020, it’s safe to say that this has been an unprecedented year for many of us. “Normal” has changed dramatically and there have been a lot of opportunities for growth, or as they’re sometimes called “problems.” Despite a year of change and the changing year, there are some … Read more
Most career-minded individuals spend some time thinking about what their boss wants from them. But if you really want to grow your career, consider not only what your boss wants from you, but also what your CEO wants . You can be an excellent employee, but if you don’t differentiate yourself in the ways that … Read more
If you rarely praise your employees, you are neglecting a key aspect of leadership. Praising your employees should be less of a “nicety” and more of an obligation. As a leader, it is your responsibility to uplift others around you and create an affirming and team-oriented culture. A key way to do this is through … Read more
The following is a brief excerpt from my new book, An Introvert’s Guide to Networking, available from Amazon and wherever books are sold. You Have a Lot to Offer You have a lot to offer, and it probably isn’t your style to toot your own horn. On the other hand, if people don’t know anything … Read more
Like any good leader, you know that smart employee recruiting is important. You want the right people for your company. And like many other leaders, you’ve come to realize that it’s just as important to spend time on employee retention. If you have the right people, you don’t want to lose them. It costs time … Read more