Rick Smith

Guess what?  The recruiters are starting to call again. This is positive news.  The recession has created perhaps a historic level of employee discontent.  Pay has been flat or decreasing for many.  Companies have cut benefits.  Boss’s have gotten away with bad behavior.  Promotions have been scarce, leading to longer tenure ...

“I consistently deliver on my pre-defined objectives.  I am able to routinely accomplish what is expected of me.  On time, on spec. Clockwork.” These are the comments of a proud worker.  And there are many of them.  In fact, nearly all of you.  The research conducted for my first book showed ...

Everyone hates the idea that some people rise through the ranks simply because they develop a friendly relationship with the boss. On some level, it just doesn’t seem fair. But do you hang out with friends whom you don’t have a relationship with? Who you don’t like? Of ...

1) Your primary color. Your truest strengths and passions point to the activities where you will perform the best. 2) Your salary expectations – and what you specifically plan to do/ how you plan to grow to justify future increases 3) Your long term ambitions.  Get your boss invested in your big hairy goal. 4) That your ...

Recently, two experienced and respected economists published a research paper arguing that the most elite colleges did not give their graduates an earnings boost over less prestigious schools they may have chosen. Sure, graduates of elite colleges make more money than their counterparts at less elite schools.  By itself, this ...

Four scores and three extra-points ago, we hold these truisms to be self evident, that all men and non-men are created equal, but all emails are NOT. We hereby whereas decree an end to the following, may they forever be banished in hell: THE ALL CAPS EMAIL!!: Unfortunately, there was a flaw in ...