I was just hired to be part of a senior executive team in a company that has major fiscal and operational problems. The team seems fragmented; there’s much backbiting going on; and, everyone is in denial. The CEO may not be getting all the information he should get. This place will sink if they don’t get focused. I’m thinking of abandoning ship after only 2 months. Should I be up front with the CEO about what’s going on? (more…)

I’m 24 and work for a small information technology firm of 12 employees. I’m a good worker and actually indispensable, given that no one else in the group can do what I do. The company owners don’t seem to have direction and they have broken some promises made to me on salary and money towards furthering my education. I’m ready to quit today but my mother keeps telling me to smile and do my job, while my dad sounds furious at the owners and says to look for another job. Which side are you on? (more…)

Three months ago I became manager of a manufacturing plant of about 300 employees. There’s above average turnover and productivity is down. There are tensions between employees and management dating back years. The new owners are very supportive. I can’t get straight answers from employees about what’s wrong. It’s not clear where I should go from here. (more…)

As the president of a company with 400 employees I feel I should have a sense of the level of their morale. Should I assess that through a survey? (more…)

Each December depresses me when I realize I was not able to accomplish my business and professional goals for the year. Is the answer to not make any resolutions? (more…)

I’m 62 and own a successful business I started thirty years ago. I’m married and have a great wife and successful kids who have careers outside the family business. My problem is I’m not excited about going into work anymore. I’m busy and I’m good at what I do but I don’t have the old fire in the belly I used to have. I have thoughts of selling the business but I don’t know what else I’d do. Any suggestions? (more…)

We are overworked and understaffed. Why do we have to keep having meetings that are a total waste of time? My boss seems to love them. Anything I can do during these meetings besides daydream? (more…)

I am a 46 year old machine tool worker. I go through periodic layoffs but this time my company is closing for good. I have a small side business doing handyman work. Is this the time to try to expand it and become self-employed? (more…)

I’m on the Board of Directors of a private school. There has been a long-standing issue involving the effectiveness of a top school administration official. The board is divided as to how to deal with this. Any suggestions? (more…)

I’m the head of HR at a medium size company of 350 employees. We conduct a great deal of technical training for our employees and I’m convinced that’s valuable and necessary. However, when it comes to "soft" training employees on interpersonal and leadership skills, I have a hard time seeing the value. We’ve tried a couple of lunch presentations but I didn’t see any long term use. How does that stuff add to the bottom line? (more…)