Talent Tips: Employees

Talent Tip #107: Seven Tips for Effective Networking 

September 27, 2018

As many of you know, the State Policy Network Annual Meeting is just around the corner. Those who have attended understand that it’s one of the best free-market networking events of the year.  As such, I thought it would be appropriate to dedicate this month’s Talent Tip to networking. 

If you’re like many people, your palms are already sweating as you think about how to mingle with senior leaders, board members, VIPS,  and other movers and…

Talent Tip #102: 5 Things You Should Know About Talent Market (That Will Help You Help Us Help You)

April 17, 2018

Talent Market is a nonprofit.
Yep. I know it’s a crazy concept, but it’s been working like a charm since 2009. Dont get me wrong — I’m a capitalist pig. But being a nonprofit helps Talent Market serve our clients better. Why? Because it allows us to focus on the long-term and not simply “filling a role and collecting the dough.” While there’s no “fee” at the end of the rainbow, there is something much more important on…

Talent Tip #96: How to Get Your Groove Back – Part Deux

October 17, 2017

Last month we talked about why employees lose their hustle. Specifically, we covered three of the six most common reasons people tell me they have fallen out of their groove – lack of challenge, not feeling financially rewarded, and geographic mobility. This month we are covering the other three reasons (which will make last month’s reasons seem like child’s play!) and the big-picture take-aways about how to regain your hustle.

1. Organization dysfunction
Every once in…

Talent Tip #95: How to Get Your Groove Back – Part One

October 2, 2017

At the State Policy Network Annual Meeting earlier this month, I had the privilege of being on a panel that discussed why we lose our hustle, including lessons on resilience, strength, and creating a career that lasts.  In case you missed it (which was a big mistake because we served Prosecco….and the panel started at 3!), I thought I would share some of the key take-aways with you here.

You start a new job bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, excited to wake…

Talent Tip #94: Burning Bridges and Lessons from Peter Gibbons 

August 22, 2017

Have you ever wanted to tell your boss to take a long walk off a short cliff or post something incendiary on social media about your former employer? Have you daydreamed of walking out of the office for a lunch break never to return? Did the movie Office Space strike a chord with you?

We’ve all been there. You’re so frustrated that you’re tempted to burn a bridge.

I’ve witnessed the destruction of many-a-bridge in my career, and they all…

Talent Tip #90: What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do: Four Steps to Figure Out Your Next Career Move

April 18, 2017

This month’s tip was written by Lauren Skiver, Talent Market’s Talent Manager 

Being in the talent business, we have a lot of conversations that revolve around the question, “What do you want to do next?”

It’s a tough question. Some people knew at five years old what they wanted to be when they grew up (I’m married to one of those!). But for the rest of us, it’s all trial and error. And living in an age with endless career…

Talent Tip #84: Culture Matters Part Deux: How Current and Prospective Employees Should Consider Culture

November 14, 2016

Talent Tip #84: Culture Matters Part Deux: How Current and Prospective Employees Should Consider Culture

Last month a friend in the liberty movement shared thoughts on how culture can attract (or repel) talent. We must have struck a nerve, as the response to the article was substantial.  Because of that, I’m continuing the culture discussion by sharing one of the responses I received from my friend Dan. I hope you enjoy it!  

“I really appreciated this month’s talent…

Talent Tip #77: The New York Times: An Unlikely Ally in Helping Us Find Talent

March 19, 2016

Talent Tip #77: The New York Times: An Unlikely Ally in Helping Us Find Talent 

If The New York Times is writing about you, you’re making a difference.

That’s what a friend in the liberty movement told me after The New York Times ran a story about Talent Market last week.

To the surprise of many, The Times described Talent Market in ways we can’t help but take as compliments:

Talent Tip #76: Believe It or Not: Talent Market is a Nonprofit

March 1, 2016

Talent Tip #76: Believe It or Not: Talent Market is a  Nonprofit

Let’s face it, some things are too good to be true. For example:

But some things are oh-so-good and also true. For instance:

Yes, you read…

Talent Tip #73: Turnover Turnaround: How To Keep Your Best Employees

November 17, 2015

Talent Tip #73: Turnover Turnaround: How To Keep Your Best Employees 

Last month we talked about the six most common reasons for staff turnover in the free-market nonprofit movement. Apparently, we struck a root.

My inbox was deluged with responses such as “Your list was spot on. I recently left my job for reason #4.” and “My best friend just quit his job for reasons 1, 2, and 5.”

While it was disheartening to read some of the emails, I…