Martha Duesterhoft

Martha Duesterhoft is a Partner with PeopleResults,a consultancy that guides organizations and individuals to “start the wave” of change. You can contact her at mduesterhoft@people-results.com.

Articles by Martha Duesterhoft

Talent Management

The Three Things It Takes to Be Wildly Successful

success

Have you heard of Adam Grant? If not, you soon will.

Not only is Dr. Grant the youngest tenured professor at The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, he’s also their highest-rated teacher in their MBA program. His new book, Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success, is getting a lot of buzz lately and here’s why.

Dr. Grant’s research shows that in our technological world, our relationships play an even more important part in an individual’s success. We need to operate in a much more interdependent manner. Read more…

HR Basics, Recruiting and Staffing

5 Important Lessons If You Move to Virtual Onboarding

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Why is it we have big “going away” parties when people retire and depart a company, but don’t make a big deal and celebrate when new hires join an organization?

For many new hires, the initial experience with their new employer is about filling out paperwork and getting the run-down on policies. Yes, you may meet a few key people and go to lunch with others starting that day, but where’s the excitement and celebration to mark the first day?

The reality is that the first day on the job is the start of a relationship. If this was a first date, there would be planning, primping and efforts to put your best foot forward to make the other person feel comfortable, relaxed and excited about starting a new relationship.

Why do so many companies miss the boat? Read more…

HR Management, Leadership

The Power of Candor: How a Frank Discussion Builds Trust in Your Team

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Last week I witnessed something in the boardroom of one of my clients that I’d only seen with actors following a script on TV or in the movies: A genuinely honest dialogue among a senior leadership team.

The conversation was about owning operational and communication issues that have negatively impacted their organization’s culture. I watched it unfold in amazement and it was one of the most productive meetings in which I’ve participated.

I commend the first team member to get the elephant in the room, on the table. She clearly acknowledged her role in creating some of the organization’s dysfunction and exhibited a sense of remorse. Read more…

Leadership, Talent Management

Especially in the Workplace, Everyone Deserves to Get a Second Chance

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Tonight night (Oct. 2), Adam Greenberg will get the ultimate second chance.

Back on July 9, 2005, Adam came to home plate for the first time as a member of the Chicago Cubs. Valerio de los Santos pitched for the Florida (now Miami) Marlins and hit Greenberg in the back of the helmet with the pitch. Adam’s helmet flew off and he fell to the ground.

That one brief moment was all Adam Greenberg had as a Major League Baseball player. He experienced his best moment and worst moment of his short career in a matter of seconds. It’s reminiscent of the character Archie “Moonlight” Graham in Field of Dreams, who has a one-game career in the majors. However in the movie, Archie gets a second chance to make it back to the big leagues.

Well, life can imitate art. Read more…

Leadership

The Lesson of Neil Armstrong: Anyone Can Find the Quiet Courage to Lead

Neil Armstrong

If I were to ask people how to describe you, would “courageous” show up in the list?

It seems we tend to associate that word with situations of life and death – war, saving someone from a burning building, stepping in the line of gun fire to save another, performing CPR on someone who’s heart has stopped. In last month’s news of Neil Armstrong’s death, we were reminded of the hero he was and the type of courage he possessed.

It got me thinking about courage, in general. Read more…