Latest news with #EmployeeEngagement
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
When Technical Brilliance Becomes A Liability
Diana Lowe, CEO of Blue Light Leadership , helps organizations transform employee engagement through Positive Psychology and Coaching. getty Zara was a senior leader with a track record that turned heads. She delivered results, met every metric and outperformed peers in her technical domain. But behind the numbers was a mounting problem HR couldn't ignore: She dismissed input from peers, labeled colleagues as 'incompetent' and operated with a my-way-or-the-highway mindset. To HR, coaching was a strategic intervention. To Zara, it felt like a punishment. For her team, it was the final hope. This isn't a story about personality. It's about mindset—and how evidence-based coaching can help shift deeply entrenched attitudes, protect organizational culture and turn a high performer from a liability into an asset. What often presents as a 'difficult personality' is, in truth, a set of cognitive and emotional patterns shaped over time. Zara hadn't become rigid overnight—her views on competence, control and value had been reinforced over decades. The problem wasn't capability. It was mindset—and that's where HR-led coaching interventions can have transformational power. Here are three tools from positive psychology and behavioral coaching that helped shift Zara's perspective and her impact—and how they can help other leaders do the same. 1. Cognitive Reframing: Challenging The Internal Narrative When Zara claimed, 'No one here knows what they're doing,' we paused to examine the thought beneath the thought. Was she feeling unsupported? Out of sync with the culture? Holding others to an impossible standard? Using cognitive-behavioral techniques, we challenged absolutes and helped her develop a more accurate—and empowering—narrative: 'I hold high standards, and I'm learning to communicate them in a way that elevates others.' The Takeaway: Use cognitive reframing to reduce interpersonal friction, shift conversations from confrontation to collaboration and enhance team psychological safety. 2. Strengths-Based Coaching: When Assets Become Liabilities Through the VIA Character Strengths assessment, Zara identified her top strengths: leadership, prudence and fairness. While these traits had helped her rise, their overuse had a cost. Fairness became rigidity. Prudence morphed into micromanagement. Leadership leaned into control. By connecting these strengths to emotional intelligence and self-regulation strategies, she began to use them more intentionally—and more effectively. The Takeaway: Lean on strengths-based development to increase leader self-awareness and transform perceived weaknesses into refined leadership behaviors. 3. Visioning Exercises: Reconnecting To Intrinsic Motivation Using the Best Possible Self exercise, we explored how Zara wanted to be described one year from now. Her answer was not 'the smartest in the room,' but 'respected, inspiring, someone people want to work with.' That shift—from proving to inspiring—became her coaching North Star. Each week, she set micro-goals tied to this future version of herself. The Takeaway: Work on visioning to build intrinsic motivation, align behavior with values and create internal accountability—often more powerful than external pressure. The Multiplier Effect: Why Coaching Relationships Matter None of these tools matter without one essential ingredient: trust. In coaching, insight is just the beginning. Sustainable change happens when leaders feel safe enough to be honest—and challenged enough to grow. In Zara's case, it wasn't one "aha" moment. It was a series of micro-adjustments, made possible by a strong coaching alliance and a safe space to evolve. Why This Matters To A Healthy Company Culture When a high performer becomes a source of disengagement, the cost is steep—turnover, complaints and lost productivity. But writing someone off is often more expensive than investing in behavioral coaching. The ROI is improved retention, revitalized team morale and a transformed leader who becomes part of the culture solution, not the problem. Positive psychology tools aren't soft. They're strategic. And when paired with a strong coaching relationship, they don't just inform behavior change—they make it possible. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
McLean & Company Named Winner in Two Categories of the 2025 Canadian HR Reporter Readers' Choice Awards
Global HR research & advisory firm McLean & Company has been recognized by Canadian HR Reporter for excellence in Employee Engagement Surveys and Leadership & Team Development for 2025. TORONTO, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ - McLean & Company, a trusted partner to HR and business leaders worldwide, has been named a winner in two categories of the 2025 Canadian HR Reporter Readers' Choice Awards: Selected by readers of Canadian HR Reporter, one of Canada's most respected publications for human resources professionals, the Readers' Choice Awards recognize organizations that demonstrate exceptional value, service, and innovation across key HR categories. Service provider nominations were open between March 11 and March 28, 2025, collecting audience-guided data on an extensive list of HR industry service providers across Canada. With thousands invited to vote for the vendors and service providers they rely on most, Canadian HR Reporter's recognition stands as a reflection not only of McLean & Company's credibility in the HR space, but of its significant contributions and impact in the field. "This recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the HR professionals we support every day," said Jennifer Rozon, president at McLean & Company. "It truly is an honor to see our work in employee engagement and leadership development resonate so strongly with our community. We remain committed to helping HR leaders solve complex challenges with confidence by equipping them with the research, tools, and expert guidance they need to drive sustainable impact." McLean & Company's award-winning employee engagement survey services are designed to help organizations go beyond measurement. With comprehensive diagnostics, tailored advisory support, and actionable reporting, HR leaders use the firm's employee engagement survey offering to identify real drivers of engagement and build targeted, evidence-based action plans. Clients report increases in participation rates, more meaningful executive conversations, and stronger organizational outcomes. As a winner in the Readers' Choice leadership and team development category, McLean & Company has an integrated approach that combines research-informed frameworks, practical learning modules, and personalized support to help organizations build future-ready leaders and high-performing teams. Whether tackling succession planning, leadership transitions, culture transformation, or team effectiveness, members benefit from resources that are both strategic and immediately applicable. McLean & Company supports HR leaders through a broad suite of services, including diagnostics, playbooks, guided advisory calls, interactive workshops, and professional development programs. With a mission to shape the future of work, the firm remains committed to elevating the HR function through evidence-based insight and practical application. To learn more about McLean & Company's award-winning services, visit here. To view the full HR industry recipient list for 2025, please visit Canadian HR Reporter's official award page. For media inquiries or to connect with McLean & Company analysts for exclusive, research-backed insights on the future of work, leadership development, and employee engagement, please contact Communications Manager Katie Tame at [email protected]. McLean Signature 2025 To register for McLean Signature, the premier industry conference for future-focused HR leaders hosted by McLean & Company from November 2 to 4 at the Marriott Marquis in Houston, Texas, please visit the official Signature event page. Media interested in connecting with McLean & Company analysts for exclusive, research-backed insights and commentary on generative AI in HR, HR trends in 2025, the future of work, and more can contact [email protected]. About McLean & Company McLean & Company pairs evidence-based research and immediately applicable tools with deep HR expertise to position organizations to meet today's needs and prepare for the future. he global HR research and advisory firm's member organizations benefit from comprehensive resources, full-service diagnostics, workshops, action plans, learning solutions for HR professionals and people leaders, and advisory services for all levels of HR, from executive leadership to front-line teams. McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group. [email protected].
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Byline Bank Included in U.S. News & World Report's 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For
CHICAGO, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Byline Bank is proud to announce its inclusion on U.S. News & World Report 's 2025-2026 list of the Best Companies to Work For. This list, released annually by the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, ranks companies by how well they support employees. This year, Byline Bank earned recognition in three categories: Best Companies in the U.S. overall, Best Companies in the Midwest, and Best in Finance and Insurance. 'At Byline, we believe that when you take care of your people, you create a dynamic workplace environment where employees are engaged and committed to serving the needs of our customers and communities,' said Dana Rose, Chief Human Resources Officer at Byline Bank. 'This recognition reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where every employee feels valued, supported and empowered to grow alongside the business. I am so proud of the culture we have built here and want to thank our incredible employees for making Byline such a great place to work.' The U.S. News rankings reflect the evolving criteria that workers consider when evaluating employers, including compensation and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, a sense of belonging and esteem, and opportunities for career growth and development. 'Workers understand the direct impact of a workplace on their quality of life,' said Carly Chase, Vice President of Careers at U.S. News & World Report. 'The 2025-2026 list recognizes companies that received high scores on multiple metrics that make up a positive work environment and everyday employee experience.' To compile its annual list, U.S. News considered the 5,000 largest publicly traded companies as of January 2025, each with more than 75 Glassdoor reviews from 2021-2025. Employee sentiment data was analyzed alongside regulatory data from partners Revelio Labs, Good Jobs First's Violation Tracker and QUODD to assess performance across six key metrics. This marks the second consecutive year Byline has been named one of the Best Companies to Work For in the Midwest, and the first year the bank has been recognized on both the National and Finance and Insurance industry lists. For more information on the Best Companies to Work For, visit the U.S. NewsFAQs and follow along on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) using #BCTWF. About Byline Bank Headquartered in Chicago, Byline Bank, a subsidiary of Byline Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE:BY), is a full-service commercial bank serving small- and medium-sized businesses, financial sponsors and consumers. Byline Bank operates over 40 branch locations throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. Byline Bank offers a broad range of commercial and community banking products and services, including small-ticket equipment leasing solutions, and is one of the top U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lenders according to the national SBA rankings by volume FY2024. Byline Bank is a member of FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. Visit for more information, and follow Byline Bank on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram for the latest news and updates. About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company , U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services. Media Contact: Allison Roche Marketing Communications & Partnerships Manager Byline Bank [email protected] Investor Contact: Brooks Rennie Investor Relations Director Byline Bank (312) 660-5805 [email protected] A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Globe and Mail
13-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Startek® Philippines wins four honors at The Philippines Leadership Awards 2025
DENVER , /CNW/ -- Startek ®, a digital-first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, announced that Startek ® Philippines has been recognized with four prestigious accolades at The Philippines Leadership Awards 2025 presented by the World HRD Congress in Manila on April 28 . These awards celebrate organizations that are redefining people strategy through impactful leadership, innovation and a commitment to workplace excellence. Startek Philippines was honored for its Diversity Impact initiatives, strategic alignment of HR with business goals, focus on promoting health in the workplace and for outstanding individual leadership, with Mridula Paul , Senior Director, HR named as one of the Topmost HR Leaders in the Philippines . These achievements highlight the company's consistent focus on enabling talent-led transformation and embedding people practices that support operational success. Startek was awarded for its emphasis on employee engagement, inclusion, learning and development, career growth and well-being. "Creating long-term value for our clients begins with investing in our people," said SM Gupta, Chief People Officer, Startek."This recognition underscores the impact of aligning our people strategy with business goals. By fostering a culture of inclusion, continuous learning and employee well-being, we are building a resilient and agile workforce that drives both innovation and performance." These honors reinforce Startek's commitment to building a future-ready talent ecosystem—one that enhances employee experience, accelerates organizational effectiveness and delivers measurable business outcomes. About The Philippines Leadership Awards Organized by the World HRD Congress, The Philippines Leadership Awards celebrate organizations and individuals that exemplify excellence in HR and business leadership. The awards recognize the transformative role of human capital in driving organizational success and highlight practices that foster innovation, diversity, wellness and strategic alignment. The winners are selected following a rigorous evaluation process by a jury comprising respected professionals across industries. About Startek Startek ® is a global leader in customer experience management, delivering comprehensive digital transformation and CX solutions. With over 35 years of expertise, Startek empowers businesses across diverse industries to create memorable, personalized customer interactions. Operating in 12 countries with a team of 38,000 associates, Startek is committed to connecting brands with their customers through innovation, empathy, and operational excellence. To learn more, visit and follow us on LinkedIn @Startek.
Associated Press
08-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Grug Redefines Workplace Culture With Instant, Actionable AI Employee Feedback Platform
Grug has developed an AI employee feedback platform to revolutionize workplace culture and streamline the feedback process. Bengaluru, Germany, May 8, 2025 -- Grug is set to transform workplace culture by empowering organizations and employees with its revolutionary approach. Its Employee Engagement Software is designed to make feedback fast, actionable, and effortless. Developed for individuals and organizations, Grug streamlines the feedback process for success, growth, and innovation in a competitive and ever-evolving work environment. In an age where employee engagement is crucial, and success is the main goal, Grug's AI Employee Feedback Platform is a game-changer, enhancing and simplifying the feedback process for good. Grug provides real-time insights, helps teams connect, employees grow, and companies build strong work cultures. It boosts efficiency without making the process feel like a chore. It is a powerful tool for growth and development. Starting operations in 2024, Grug empowers employees and inspires them to unlock their full potential and organizations to evolve into high-performing ecosystems without the usual challenges blocking their way. One of the key members, Paul Sushil Dev, said, 'Grug provides quick feedback and brings out the best in employees, so they are inspired to achieve greatness and put in their 100% effort at the workplace. We are excited to see how it shapes the future of work and the changes it brings.' Grug provides fast, to-the-point feedback so users can understand how they are doing or what they need to improve without waiting for reviews and reports, which generally take a long time to arrive. It also includes data analytics tools and customizable surveys for managers to get an overview of employee performance and progress and identify issues in one place. This improves productivity and enhances transparency and trust across teams. With Grug's employee feedback platform, individuals can track their own growth, discover patterns, and make better decisions for their professional careers. It offers a progressive view of one's career journey. The sleek interface and intuitive design of the app makes it easier for users of all levels to instantly jump in and start sharing feedback. From startups to large enterprises, industry leaders trust Grug because of how productive and efficient the platform is. Positive feedback drives job satisfaction. By pushing the idea appreciating the efforts of employees by the peers and make it a regular part of the workflow and not an afterthought. This fosters a sense of belonging and inspires teams to strive for excellence. Grug's centralized tracking system lets organizations have valuable insights and data at finger reach, so they don't have to rely on scattered data and make performance-related decisions with ease. This saves time, improves accuracy, and makes it easier to manage stakeholders and resources better. Grug's versatility and flexibility are the reasons, why it can adapt to different organizational needs and sizes, setting a new standard for workplace feedback. It is now available on both iOS and Android platforms, so users can join the growing community and transform the work culture in their organization like never before. Here are the download links: iOS App: Android App: Contact Info: Name: Paul Sushil Dev Email: Send Email Organization: Website: Release ID: 89159511 Should any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies arise from the content provided in this press release that require attention or if a press release needs to be taken down, we kindly request that you immediately contact us at [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our efficient team will be at your disposal for timely assistance within 8 hours – taking necessary measures to rectify identified issues or providing guidance on the removal process. We prioritize delivering accurate and reliable information.
