Revealed: How to Be a Great Leader That Everyone Wants to Follow

They say that good leaders are born, not made. But no matter how great a leader we think we are, we can all stand to foster and improve our leadership and management skills from time to time. Here are 10 of the very best qualities that will help propel you into great leader status, all backed up by some of the most trusted leaders in business.

Time Is Never Wasted on Listening to Others.

“Resonance – this is one of the lowest rated qualities in leaders and one of the most needed in business today. It’s how we connect with people and make them feel understood. Resonant leaders are attentive and attuned to the thoughts, emotions and feelings of others. They take time to watch, listen and absorb what is said and unsaid.”

~ Suzanne Bates, CEO, Bates Communications^[1]

“I find that the key to great leadership is time commitment dedicated to the people side. Business flies so fast and it is very easy to see days and weeks be absorbed by projects and deadlines, but at the end of the day, the true quality of performance and career satisfaction comes from the growth and commitment from the team. To do this effectively, leaders must meticulously review and prioritize their time. I expect all of my direct reports to map out the week tactically, strategically, while being mindful to set aside the time to foster strong relationships and company/team commitment.”

~ Shawn Bushouse, EVP, Chief Financial Officer, J Skinner Baking^[2]

Feedback Is the Shortcut to a Better Team.

“Understand how they want to grow their careers and take time to coach them, giving ongoing feedback (BOTH positive and improvement feedback) to help them get there. This will also help inform what you delegate to whom. Know what your team members value as individuals – is it autonomy? Recognition? Collaboration? Challenge? Then do your best to provide these things.”

~ Rebecca Zucker, Partner, Next Step Partners^[3]

No One’s Left Behind. Involvement Is Indiscriminate.

“I had a great mentor in my first manager, who showed me that it’s not only alright to share your thought processes and mistakes, but that this is key to building a successful team. There are so many choices to be made when you’re building a business and, by sharing your approach with co-workers, you’re empowering them to more clearly understand your company vision and develop their own skills.”

~ Rashmi Melgiri, COO and Co-Founder, CoverWallet^[4]

“I have a staff retreat every year off site with my staff, where we work on our goals for the next year. We mix the day up with fun stuff and serious stuff. After the retreat, the staff creates a chart to track our goals on a weekly basis and they update it. Then throughout the year, I meet with each staff member individually and talk about how we are doing. I try to make at least one of those meetings a casual lunch meeting.”

~ Edrie A. Pfeiffer, Managing Attorney, Hampton Roads Legal Services^[5]

Always Be Gracious And Grateful.

“Say please and thank you – a lot, and authentically. Teams that are appreciated outperform those that don’t by incredible margins. Just saying please and thank you goes a long way to helping your team understand you appreciate them.”

~ Lee Caraher, Author^[6]

Interactivity Is the Key to Bringing Everyone Together.

“Great leaders are great communicators. Communication should be a two way process: you should be able to relay clear instructions to your team but also listen attentively and responsively to all that they say.”

~Helen Smith, Community Manager, Mature Berkshire Dating^[7]

“Interactivity – this is the art of fostering a deeply active, conversational style of dialogue that puts people at ease and enables them to speak up and feel heard. You have to use the right channels, communicate with the right cadence and frequency, and of course not rely too much on written communication.”

~ Suzanne Bates, CEO, Bates Communications^[8]

Power Is Shared Among Everyone, Not on a Single Person.

“I feel empowerment and encouragement goes a long way, making team members feel their value to the overall mission of the team and it’s continued success. By empowering our team members and trusting them, we see our team members rise to the occasion, elevate themselves, and feel pride in what they’re achieving on a daily basis.”

~ Steve Ryan, Founder & CEO, RyTech, LLC^[9]

There Is Always Wise Words from Others.

“Being the leader doesn’t always mean that you’re the authority, and that’s coming from an owner of a company. There are instances where details are missed out. I always make it an effort to give every member within my team a chance to speak up during our internal meetings. I’d like to believe that they appreciate having the opportunity to pitch and implement their ideas and approaches for our clients. It builds a strong foundation of mutual trust and respect, and when there’s trust in any given relationship, they will have no qualms about following you into the abyss.”

~ Aaron Lin, Managing Director, Ignitive^[10]

With a Clear Aim, No One Goes Astray.

“In order to form your team into a united front working together towards a common goal, it’s important that the team understands your vision as the team leader. By having the ability to inspire your team, you are giving them a better understanding of why they’re doing what they’re doing. You’re giving them a sense of purpose, a clear motivation to strive for success. This inspiration will help you work better together as you are all aware and on board with the vision.”

~ Evan Harris, Co-Founder & CEO, SD Equity Partners^[11]

Responsibility Delegation Is the Way to Unleash the Team’s Full Potential.

“Many bosses have a “I’ll just do it myself” mentality. Just because you’re a boss does not mean you’re a leader. By taking on all the work, you’re preventing your team from demonstrating their true potential. A great leader trusts in their team and demonstrates this trust by giving their team more responsibility. When you give your team members an opportunity to excel, more often than not you will be surprised at what they can achieve. Trust in your team, and they will succeed.”

~ Evan Harris, Co-Founder & CEO, SD Equity Partners^[12]

Feedback Builds Trust and Enables Continuous Improvement.

“Often times this feedback comes from others through reviews – I still ask all of my people for feedback. Being open and honest builds trust within a team, helps me improve and makes real our promise that we all seek continuous improvement.”

~Dick Burke, CEO, Envoy Global^[13]

Being Respectful Isn’t Just An Etiquette.

“Something to always remember is to always talk respectfully about members of your team, whether they are present in the room with you or not. Be transparent at all times and do not go behind people’s backs. This will ensure that all members of the team feel safe and happy about working in the team.”

~ Jason Dobson, Berkshire Dating^[14]

Now you are ready to lead your team with trust, confidence, strength and compassion. A great leader has a mix of qualities; they are not superhuman, but rather people who are able to connect with members of their teams on a compassionate and human level, whilst also maintaining discipline and authority at all times.

Reference

[1]	^	BatesCommunication: Home
[2]	^	SkinnerBaking: Home
[3]	^	NextStepPartners: Home
[4]	^	CoverWallet: Home
[5]	^	HamptonRoadsLegalServices: Home
[6]	^	LeeCaraher: Home
[7]	^	MatureBerkshireDating: Home
[8]	^	BatesCommunication: Home
[9]	^	RyTechLLC: Home
[10]	^	Ignitive: Home
[11]	^	SDEquityPartners: Home
[12]	^	SDEquityPartners: Home
[13]	^	EnvoyGlobal: Home
[14]	^	BerkshireDating: Home

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How to Find Your Ideal Career Path Without Wasting Time on Jobs Not Suitable for You

Life has a habit of not always working out how we imagined it would. In an ever-evolving technological and economic world, the types of careers we can pursue are far and wide. If we haven’t been one of the lucky ones and figured out our exact career path, or maybe pursued one vocation but realised it’s not really for us, we can be left feeling lost to how we want our careers to look or even what we really want to be doing.

The Problems We Face When It Comes to Choosing the Right Career

Our economics are constantly changing which means the types of jobs and careers are being shaped accordingly. This can lead us feeling like the job we had no longer fulfills us or is heading in a direction we’re not comfortable with.

But we are also changing too. The change and growth within ourselves isn’t always something we contemplate when thinking about careers when we’re younger. We can also be pressured by loved ones to choose the sensible and lucrative career even if it doesn’t make us happy. We may be driven by money but gradually realise money isn’t what makes us happy but rather the passion behind the job you do.

Because of this we can get to a point in life where we want a change but aren’t able to figure out what we really want to do and what will really make us truly happy.

Why Choosing the Right Career is Important

Strip it all back and what we really want from a career is the feeling of fulfillment, contentment, accomplishment, passion, and a sense of contribution. Considering we spend a big chunk of our waking lives at work, to be happy in life we need to consider the happiness that our careers give us.

When we’re focused too much on the money and not enough on how we feel getting up every morning and going to work, our jobs and careers can start to make us question what this is really all for. Choosing the right career path will bring both abundance and happiness but we must get out of the limited mindset that we must stick to what we’ve already chosen. Or that it’s too late in life to change careers, we’re not qualified, there aren’t enough jobs, not enough lucrative opportunities – the list goes on.

How to Go About Finding the Right Career Path for You

So, you’re considering a new career or you’re just starting out on your career journey – where do you start? Don’t despair if you feel utterly lost, there are positive steps you can take in order to get some ideas flowing and the ball rolling.

Think About What Energises and Excites You

We often forget that choosing a career that we’re passionate about or incorporating the things that excite us is an option. One of the biggest indicators that we’re on the wrong career path is when we don’t enjoy talking about it let alone turn up to do the job.

Finding a career that you’re passionate about is what will maintain it long term. If you’re just focused on earnings then you’re more likely to become unhappy and unfulfilled much more quickly.

Think About What You’re Good At

Having a think about not only what you enjoy, but what you’re good at can really help in identifying what would make a good career choice. Are you good with people? Do you give good advice? Are you articulate? Do you have a talent for writing? Are you good with animals? Try to think of as many skills that you feel you’re good at and if you’re struggling then ask a good friend or colleague to tell you – sometimes other people are better at seeing us than we are.

A good tip is to identify the skills you use when you’re doing what you enjoy. No matter how insignificant you feel it is, don’t worry just write it down.

Think About a Field of Work Not a Specific Job

One stumbling block can be being too job-specific when considering a possible career. Once we do this we can get easily discouraged and limited in our thinking. Think about the field of work rather than specifics – for example, if you love helping and being around animals then a veterinarian job may be an idea but there are lots of other options such as becoming a professional dog walker.

The idea is to think outside the box – skills for one job may suit another kind of job – like a teacher’s skill at explaining convoluted topics and using language well to convey the message may make a good writer.

Research the Possible Qualifications Needed

You may have a list of possibilities so now it’s time to research what you would need to know or what qualifications you may need in order to achieve your dream job. Perhaps you’re considering setting up your own business so looking into business classes could help or maybe you need to go back to school and get a degree. Find the different steps you need to take and don’t feel deterred.

Get to Know People in That Field

Consider networking. Ask around your friends and family to see if they know anyone in a similar field you could chat with. Find online forums or groups that discuss the field of work you’re interested in. By talking to others you will get more of a feel of the work and even advice on how to get started.

Evaluate Your Findings

Once you’ve done some research make sure you take stock and evaluate what you’ve found out. Does this career fit in with the lifestyle you want? Consider the information you’ve gathered and work through pros and cons. Does it still excite you? Do you feel passionate about it? Will it involve compromise you’re willing to take or is it too much compromise?

It’s always important to check in with yourself.

Sign Up for Training and Experience

A good option is to look around for volunteering opportunities or internships in order to get experience or see if it’s really for you. You have nothing to lose, rather you’re gaining more insight into what you do and don’t want to pursue. It can also eliminate any unneeded areas of study or training elsewhere or help you understand what skills you do need to develop.

Once you’re positive and excited for your new career adventure then signing up for gaining the necessary qualifications is the next step. Remember to keep focusing on each step rather than the long term in order to keep any doubts or overwhelming feelings at bay.

Keep a Positive Mindset and Don’t Give Up

Our mind is powerful and can determine whether we give up or succeed. Keeping on your path requires a positive mindset – it’s going to feel daunting and a great leap of faith to change your career but by believing and following your passions, inspirations and happiness, you will allow yourself to realise your potential to be happy in your work life. Don’t let others deter you with their limited thinking or opinions – keep on your path with your happiness in mind and see where it takes you.

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How to Present Soft Skills on Your Resume to Make a Lasting Impression

Resumes are your first (and often only) chance to impress a prospective employer.

They may have received hundreds of applications for the role you’re going for. If your resume is stacked-full of professional qualifications and work experience – then you may be surprised to find that your application doesn’t stand out.

If you’re failing to reach the interview stage, then you should definitely look at adding a selection of ‘soft skills’ to your resume.

Soft Skills: The Difference Between a Weak and Strong Resume

In case you’re unfamiliar with the term soft skills, I’ll give you a few examples:

• Conflict resolution.
• Creativity.
• Decisiveness.
• Responsibility.
• Time management.

As you can see from the above, soft skills are intangible and non-technical. In other words, they are skills that you’re unlikely to have a certificate for.

Now, just to be clear, it is of course important to list any relevant professional qualifications and experience on your resume. However, to help your resume catch the attention of a prospective employer, you should ensure that your soft skills jump off the page(s).

As an example for you, imagine that you are applying for a job as an accountant. It’s probable that the majority of applicants will have accountancy qualifications and relevant work experience.

What they may not have (on their resume at least), is demonstrable soft skills. If your resume clearly shows that you are a great team player and have first-rate communication skills, then you’ll have an excellent chance of being selected for an interview.

How to Boost Your Resume by Adding Soft Skills

Let’s get straight to it.

Soft skills are in high demand by employers. The reasons are obvious. They want employees who:

• Know how to solve problems.
• Are easy to work with.
• Are adaptable (as opposed to stuck in their ways).

Before updating your resume, take some time to think about what soft skills you have. For example, are you good at working under pressure? How about observational skills – are you able to spot trends?

My suggestion is to come up with 5-10 soft skills that you genuinely have a talent for.

To help you out, here’s a list of common soft skills that you may be able to add to your resume:

1. Communication.
2. Conflict resolution.
3. Critical observation.
4. Decisiveness.
5. Flexibility.
6. Leadership.
7. Problem solving.
8. Self-motivation.
9. Team work.
10. Time management.

To help discover which soft skills you excel at, you may want to ask a friend or colleague to give their honest opinion/perspective on you.

The next step is to come up with examples for each soft skill. It’s no use just saying that you are a good problem solver (for instance), you need to show why this is the case.

You can do this by using real examples from your experience. It could be something along the lines of… “In my previous role, I was often presented with issues and problems that no one else in the company could help with. However, I discovered that with persistence, I was able to resolve these problems – sometimes very quickly.”

If you’ve done all the above, then you’re ready to add the soft skills to your resume.

The best way to do this, is to: Show, don’t tell.

This means that you should embed your soft skills within examples taken from your academic, personal and professional experiences. Let the examples clearly illustrate your soft skills.

In terms of placement, soft skills should be spread across all sections of your resume. You don’t want to overdo it of course. As with most things in life, it’s about finding the right balance.

By adding soft skills to your resume, you’ll likely secure an interview – and maybe the job too.

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How I Pursue Learning for Free After Graduation

Starting a new business and getting your dream job might be your biggest achievement. But what happens when things get too difficult to manage? You might be getting numerous responsibilities and it may be difficult for you to target customers. In these situations, others may tell you to quit and find another job.

Most people fail because they are unable to manage difficult situations. In order to find the solution, they read books or blogs from other famous people. However, what they do not understand is that it is always best to be guided by a physical human being.

In this situation, getting a good mentor is essential. This individual will assist you in resolving any potential problems. In order to help you find a mentor, here is a list of platforms that will help you in finding the best mentors:

1. Find a Mentor: for anyone who looks for personal growth

This self-service tool helps individuals find mentors who will meet designated requirements in an efficient manner. All you have to do is list your business functions and what qualities you are seeking in a mentor. The platform will automatically provide you with a list of options to choose from. Then, you would select the mentor who you feel connects with you well.

• Who’s it for: The general public (above 18)
• What does it offer: Pairing of mentor and mentee

2. Horse’s Mouth: for aspiring entrepreneurs

Horse’s Mouth is a social network platform where you will get the opportunity to post your request. Anyone can attend these sessions as they are open to the public. The individual requesting the mentor just needs to provide any necessary equipment or resources to the mentor so they can meet all requirements. The mentor will go through the available options and will select the one they find most appropriate. The clean interface and simple platform makes it easy to share and receive information.

• Who’s it for: The general public, especially entrepreneurs
• What does it offer: Social networking

3. Envelop: for aspiring performers

This platform provides services such as mentorship for performers and educational workshops for crowds. Envelop will change the way you listen to your favorite songs, and it offers you advice from top musicians around the globe. Apart from that, you will come across many educational workshops to help you out.

• Who’s it for: Aspiring performers
• What does it offer: Performer mentorship, educational workshops, advice from worldwide top musicians

4. Mogul: for female entrepreneurs

This is the perfect site for female entrepreneurs. It helps over 18 million women, and provides accessible services and advices available all time regardless of your location.

• Who’s it for: Female entrepreneurs
• What does it offer: 24/7 expert mentorship services, 10 skill-building courses

5. iCouldBe: for highschool students

It’s not only business professionals or entrepreneurs who need mentorship. Students need mentorship as well coming from experts across industries. This is why iCouldBe was specially developed for high school students. iCloudBe helps students determine their most appropriate career path, and it provides them with the flexibility needed to manage their school work.

• Who’s it for: High school students
• What does it offer: Advice on career path, school work management

6. iMentor: for anyone who is interested in the financial field

There are students around the globe who are unable to pay for their college tuition, and some even drop out of school as a result of the expenses. iMentor was developed with the sole intent to help students experiencing financial hardship to gain mentorship. With its mentorship services, the student would get a chance to find a reasonable job. This makes it easier paying off college tuition as well as any other possible expenses.

• Who’s it for: Students experiencing financial hardships
• What does it offer: Mentorship services (and Find a Mentor)

7. SCORE: for small business entrepreneurs

This is a mentorship platform for small businesses. The best mentors are only a click away because technology has changed the world into a global village. Now is the best time and opportunity to find a mentor. In order to take your career to the next level, it is essential that you find a mentor that both challenges and compliments your skill sets.

• Who’s it for: Small businesses
• What does it offer: Workshops, mentorship

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Working in These 100 Companies Can Make You Feel Like Winning the Lottery

Has it happened to you; the job you loved the most was at a company that was really proactive towards it employees and gave you creative freedom as well flexible timings, even if it didn’t pay as well as your current job, that ironically is making you miserable? That’s because very often the jobs we enjoy the most is in one of the best companies to work for – the kind that really cares for its employees and believes that the way forward is through good human resource management.

One Way to Ensure You Land a Job You Will Enjoy

While we are not advising you quit your job this very instance, the next time you are on a job hunt, it would be a good idea to look for positions in companies known to be the best companies to work for – though what makes a company good for you is a completely individual choice.^[1] For young mothers it might be an onsite crèche or playschool, or even extended maternity benefits; for some it may be that the company has a very open non-discrimination policies and yet for some it may be the health food cafeteria and onsite gym.

The Best Companies to Work for: the Top 100 List

So taking cue from various business magazines Top 100 list, here are the Top 100 Best Companies To Work For, in the US – for these are the companies who believe that happy employees make for productive companies ^[2]. We list out the companies as well as the reasons as to what makes them so great to work for, in alphabetic order…

1. Accenture

Industry: Professional Services

USP: Flexible scheduling and endless learning opportunities while working on cutting edge projects make Accenture one of the best companies to work for.

2. Activision Blizzard

Industry: Media

USP: Want to be 100% nerd? This gaming and entertainment company lets you geek out in employee affinity groups, which include fencing, brew mastery, skateboarding or even juggling, clay modeling, and more. Fun, geek style!

3. Acuity

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: Join this Company if you want a 45-foot climbing wall and a jeans-friendly dress policy at office, plus a sense of purpose and giving.

4. Adobe Systems

Industry: Information Technology

USP: Employees at this software company praise the interesting work and its passion for arts and creativity.

5. Aflac

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: A family feeling is how the employees describe the workplace with a strong, positive culture…

6. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: This financial services company has employee appreciation month with awards ceremonies and chair massages and annual perks like pet insurance, on-site childcare, and discounts on furniture.

7. Alston & Bird

Industry: Professional Services

USP: 15 paid hours a year for community service and mock courtroom training, make this law firm a fun and collaborative workplace.

8. American Express

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: 100 days paid parental leave (and up to 140 days for birth moms) and a chance to work for a respected brand makes employees feel that their jobs are a higher calling.

9. American Fidelity Insurance

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: Pension plans, cushy 401(k) contributions, and bonuses for everyone as well as an on-site car wash, prescriptions at the medical clinic, and a personal trainer at the office gym. Need more?

10. ARI

Industry: Professional Services

USP: Employee training is a high point considering in 2016 this company reimbursed some $1.4 million in tuition along with ample opportunities for growth and promotion.

11. Atlantic Health Systems

Industry: Healthcare

USP: In this New Jersey–based hospital system company, employees get up to $5,000 in annual tuition reimbursements, and courses are even offered on-site.

12. AT&T

Industry: Telecommunications

USP: When this telecom giant underwent changes, it retrained its workers without any big layoffs and filled more than 40% of its open positions with internal hiring.

13. Autodesk

Industry: Information Technology

USP: To encourage creative thinking, employees who have new patents granted are given bonuses of up to $2,000.

14. Baker Donelson

Industry: Professional Services

USP: Perks include bonuses when the firm has a good year (and not just for attorneys), plus free parking (or full reimbursements for public transportation) as well as a goodwill atmosphere.

15. Baird

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: Looking for one of the best companies to work for? Well, Baird has a “no asshole” policy and is open enough that two-thirds of employees are shareholders, making everyone feel like equal contributors and receivers as well.

16. Baptist Health South Florida

Industry: Health Care

USP: Zero co-pays for in-network doctor visits, a fund for staff in times of need, and employee celebrations make this hospital one of the best companies to work for.

17. Bright Horizons Family Solutions

Industry: Training & Education

USP: The employees feel they are shaping children’s future which is rewarding enough and then the company also offers workers a 50% discount at Bright Horizons centers.

18. Build-A-Bear Workshop

Industry: Retail

USP: So work here feels like an awesome adventure and employees feel as if they sell happiness!

19. Burns & McDonnell

Industry: Building Services

USP: It’s a 100%-employee-owned engineering, architecture, and construction firm that exemplifies teamwork…

20. Cadence

Industry: Electronics

USP: With more than 40% employees having stayed on for 40 years or more, this semiconductor technology company regularly conducts analyses to ensure that women employees are getting paid fairly; rewarding employees solely on what they deliver.

21. Camden Property Trust

Industry: Real Estate

USP: Employees claim this to be one company that welcomes you and your ideas with open arms and you can also get up to $4,500 year for your kids in paid college costs!

22. Capital One

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: Free Wi-Fi and coffee apart, staffers are encouraged to break out of the mold and think innovatively when it comes to baking and financial services.

23. CarMax

Industry: Retail

USP: All new hires are assigned mentors when they start which makes for a nurturing work environment in which employees can naturally excel.

24. Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

Industry: Health Care

USP: A children’s hospital that has creates a fun and positive environment for its employees so that that they always do their best to keep kids health and safe.

25. CHG Healthcare Services

Industry: Professional Services

USP: To make its employees (medical staff on hire) happy, healthy, and satisfied, the company offers health assessments, a free on-site health clinic and even pet insurance.

26. Cisco

Industry: Information Technology

USP: So winners of its hackathon receive $25,000 in prize money (and $25,000 in seed money) and employees logged 227,213 volunteer hours just for the freedom to innovate.

27. Cooley

Industry: Professional Services, Law

USP: Want to wear jeans to a law firm? Welcome to Cooley, where there is not hierarchy per se either.

28. Credit Acceptance

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: The company motto of this auto-lender is that everyone is values and there is flexible scheduling and growth opportunities that prove it.

29. David Weekley Homes

Industry: Real Estate & Construction

USP: A welcoming, team-centric culture, this company conducts interviews with job candidates’ families to answer all the questions you might have.

30. Deloitte

Industry: Professional Services

USP: Employees have 42 paid days off on average per year, and there’s a sabbatical program to make all the staff feel very wanted and rewarded indeed.

31. Delta Airlines

Industry: Transportation

USP: Generous flight privileges and healthy profit-sharing, is all part of the company’s caring family spirit.

32. Edward Jones

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: So this investment firm is the place to be if you are looking for job security since more than 30% of hiring happens internally. The reasons why 3,000 of its employees have been there more than two decades!

33. Encompass Home Health & Hospice

Industry: Health Care

USP: A company with a compassionate culture and a very approachable CEO who truly cares.

34. EY

Industry: Professional Services

USP: Never before has a firm offered such flexible schedules, such that all its employees rave about being able to enjoy life’s little things freely and even get 16 weeks parental leave!

35. FedEx

Industry: Transportation

USP: Hard work is consistently reflected in raises, bonuses, and promotions and other great benefits as well for part-timers too.

36. First American Financial Corporation

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: 1,100 team members of this financial company have participated in 36 breast-cancer races and helped raise more than $217,000 for research and treatment of the disease last year. Oh and employees can purchase company stock at a 15% discount.

37. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

Industry: Hospitality

USP: Employees are proud of stellar customer service and every employee gets to stay at Four Seasons hotels on vacation for free with 50% off on food as well.

38. Genentech

Industry: Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

USP: If pharmaceutical is your cup of tea, Genentech is the place to be. The employees claim to work in a casual intensity vibe, and making drugs for life-threatening illnesses in a fun way is their mission.

39. Goldman Sachs:

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: You do well, you are rewarded in this meritocratic investment banking firm. Hard work is always rewarded.

40. Google

Industry: Information Technology

USP: So other than the free lux perks like free haircuts, food and even laundry; Google also actually listens to its employees and changed its maternity policies as well is a staunch supporter of transgender workers and has made its workplace “safe and inclusive” for all.

41. Hilcorp

Industry: Manufacturing and Production

USP: An annual bonuses average of 36% is awesome enough, but Hilcorp can give you a 60% bump as well, where decision-making is pushed to the frontlines.

42. Hilton

Industry: Hospitality

USP: Hilton gets many awards for in turn awarding employees with endless opportunities for advancement; and now they pay for employees’ GEDs as well.

43. Hyatt

Industry: Hospitality

USP: Hyatt is another hospitality chain willing to give back to its employees with amazing benefits like free on-site dry cleaning and complimentary or discounted hotel stays…

44. Hyland

Industry: Information Technology

USP: Along with a Montessori preschool on-site for employees’ kids, the CEO of this software developer initiates spontaneous work breaks, which can mean anything from cornhole tournaments to dodge ball competitions!

45. Ikea Holding U.S.

Industry: Retail

USP: Employees are made to feel valued for the contributions they make and to promote equality; each location has a diversity and inclusion ambassador as well.

46. Intuit

Industry: Information Technology

USP: How about on-site gyms that remain open 24/7 and bikes in case you want to commute on them? Plus a CEO who works with you in times of more work…

47. JM Family Enterprises

Industry: Manufacturing & Production

USP: This diversified automotive company considers its best assets to be its employees and so offers them a pension plan, 12% profit sharing, lux perks like free haircuts, and discounts on cars.

48. Kimley-Horn

Industry: Professional Services

USP: New? Well the CM will take you out for lunch and the company has plenty opportunities for growth and support plus it matches 401(k) contributions by 200%, for up to 4% of pay.

49. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

Industry: Hospitality

USP: A diverse culture, flexible schedules, lack of hierarchy, and a promote-from-within culture plus pet-friendly sites and a $50 a night hotel room for all employees – one great company to work with.

50. KPMG

Industry: Professional Services

USP: Employees call this place an awesome place to launch a career since it offers staffers more than 50 hours of training a year, and almost 15000 employees have official mentors.

51. Marriot International

Industry: Hospitality

USP: A multi¬national hospitality company with 58% of front line and middle managers being women, and 36% being minorities – Marriot gives unlimited opportunities for growth….

52. Mars

Industry: Manufacturing & Production

USP: What could be sweeter than working at a chocolate factory? The company’s “Five Principles”: quality, responsibility, mutuality, efficiency, and freedom.

53. Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Industry: Health Care

USP: A not-for-profit hospital system that treats employees like they make a difference and is caring-oriented, within and out.

54. Mayo Clinic

Industry: Health Care

USP: A place to work that is more a place of hope plus perks like ice cream parties add to a positive and healing environment.

55. Nationwide

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: It gives workers extra paid time off for donating blood at the permanent on-site Red Cross center and an optional payroll deduction for the past three years has collected and paid $162,000 to staff in times of need.

56. Navy Federal Credit Union

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: Making a difference in the lives of millions of special people who served the country is what makes employees here happy, as does the honesty and fairness policy of the management.

57. Nordstrom

Industry: Retail

USP: Employees at the retail mainstay are empowered to run their own business and staffers call this the most supportive company ever.

58. Novo Nordisk

Industry: Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals

USP: A culture that’s where the management team is focused on the physical and emotional well-being of people who work there makes this one of the best companies to work for.

59. Nugget Market

Industry: Retail

USP: So everyone gets paid health premiums, even the part-timers and a 4% 401 (k) match! Sounds good? The atmosphere is even greater…

60. NuStar Energy

Industry: Transportation

USP: Employees get generous benefits, perks like free gym memberships, and an average of 24 hours per year in paid volunteer time along with staff celebrations to mark most holidays.

61. Nvidia

Industry: Information Technology

USP: Big dreams for artificial intelligence are backed by strong ethics and integrity, and the stock tripled in 2016 as well.

62. Ohio Health

Industry: Health Care

USP: Staff award nights and paid shopping trips for workers’ 20th anniversaries makes employees feel valued and appreciated.

63. Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe

Industry: Professional Services

USP: So this is a law firm that believes that work/life balance is paramount and managers bend over backward to ensure work gets done without getting in the way of home life!

64. PCL Constructions

Industry: Real Estate & Construction

USP: 90% of employees here own shares and this employee-ownership model gives everyone a sense of belonging. Oh and the dividends are awesome too.

65. Perkins Coei

Industry: Professional Services

USP: Sabbaticals and extra paid time off for long-timers along a culture of mutual respect make this law firm a great place to work for sure.

66. Pinnacle Financial Partners

Industry: Financial Services and Insurance

USP: All employees get restricted stock and annual cash incentives so retiring from this company is a lark, as is the yearly 35 paid days off…

67. Plante & Moran

Industry: Professional Services

USP: New hires receive miniature golden rulers when they start the job to show that caring for others is the cornerstone of this accounting firm’s culture.

68. Protivity

Industry: Professional Services

USP: Everyone gets a peer adviser, a career adviser, and an executive adviser so that each employee can reach his or her best.

69. Publix Super Markets

Industry: Retail

USP: One of the largest employee-owned companies in the US, this company offers great retirement benefits in the form of stock ownership and heft bonuses. Employees really stick around here, with many being over the age of 90!

70. PwC

Industry: Professional Services

USP: So PwC is famous for offering countless opportunities for growth, travel, and leadership and they have also pioneered a student loan pay-down benefit, in which employees can get $1,200 a year toward their loans.

71. Quicken Loans

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: So who says money is boring. Here employees ride hoverboards around the colorful HQ which also has a basketball court with a view to downtown Detroit.

72. QuikTrip

Industry: Retail

USP: A low staff turnover, healthy profit-sharing bonuses, job counseling and tuition reimbursement makes everyone feel important at this convenience-store operator.

73. Rackspace

Industry: Information Technology

USP: This cloud-¬services company has relaxed ¬atmosphere with freedom of individual expression.

74. REI

Industry: Retail

USP: An outdoorsy outfitter, this company truly believes in what it sells, and 70% of its profits go back to staff and community causes. Employees get gear discounts and paid sabbaticals after 15 years.

75. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

Industry: Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals

USP: For those who truly want to help, this biotech firm offers dedication, purpose, impact and world-leading science and has four FDA-approved drugs.

76. Roche Diagnostics

Industry: Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals

USP: Outstanding benefits, perks like an on-site summer camp for staffers’ kids, and a wonderful” work/life balance, makes an average tenure here an impressive 10½ years.

77. Salesforce

Industry: Information Technology

USP: Want to work with a company who gives? This one gives a week off to its employees each year to volunteer in a company with an “Ohana” (family) culture.

78. SAP America

Industry: Information Technology

USP: This dynamic” software company is one big community where each employee is willing to lend another a helping hand….

79. SAS

Industry: Information Technology

One company that tries to care for its employees by offering childcare, dry cleaning, haircuts, and a pharmacy on-site, plus flexible scheduling too.

80. Scripps Health

Industry: Healthcare

USP: The biggest USP of this company is perhaps CEO Chris Van Gorder who is setting the bar high for integrity, respect, and mutual accountability, and answers emails within 12 hours.

81. Sheetz

Industry: Retail

USP: A high-energy and quirky work environment is the signature of this convenience-store chain, and in 2016 the management announced a $15 million raise for store employees.

82. Slalom

Industry: Professional Services

USP: A sabbatical program for all employees as well a very principled and honest work atmosphere makes this management consultancy one of the best companies to work for.

83. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Industry: Health Care

USP: The job is meaningful enough and the genuine leadership also provided an uplifting atmosphere.

84. Stryker

Industry: Manufacturing & Production

Stryker is a medical device maker and is looking for people who are amazingly talented to change patients’ lives, with ample rewards.

85. Southern Ohio Medical Centre

Industry: Health Care

USP: With 40% of internal hires and tuition reimbursements averaging more than $7,000, this company sure knows how to rewards its performers.

86. TD Industries

Industry: Construction and Real Estate

USP: An employee-owned construction company where the management apparently treats its entire employee well so much so that after five years, employees get their faces in¬cluded among the ¬nearly 1,000 staff portraits of in the HQ lobby.

87. TEK Systems

Industry: Professional Services

USP: The Company shows its thanks by sending flowers to the parents and spouses of top performers and on the company’s 30th anniversary, it gave employees $250 for each year they had been at the company.

88. Texas Health Resources

Industry: Health Care

USP: The Company actually lives by its motto of individuals caring for individuals together as the management is as transparent as it can be, and the staff as genuine as they can be.

89. The Boston Consulting Group

Industry: Professional Services

USP: If you are looking for a consultancy to work at, look no further for this company offers unmatched growth, $5 co-pays and emphasizes self-care for its employees including telecommuting, on site fitness centers and sabbaticals.

90. The Cheesecake Factory

Industry: Hospitality

USP: Nothing cheesy here, where the leaders are supportive, the management warmhearted and everyone remains motivated.

91. The Container Store

Industry: Retail

USP: Higher hourly wages and respected given to those who work good are what makes this specialty retailer one of the best companies to work for.

92. Ultimate Software

Industry: Information Technology

USP: Probably one of the best companies to work for techies, you get wonderful benefits, supportive management, an amazing work environment and restricted stock units on your first day.

93. USAA

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

USP: So this is definitely one of the best companies to work for, with an 8% 401(k) match, six weeks of vacation, and flexible scheduling!

94. Veterans United Home Loans

Industry: Financial Services & Insurance

US’s largest dedicated VA lender has a community minded culture, with more than 90% of the staff giving away 1% of their paychecks.

95. VMware

Industry: Information Technology

USP: 40 hours of paid volunteer time and all new birth or adoptive parents (including dads) became eligible for 90 days of paid leave! Indeed one of the best companies to work for.

96. Wegmans Food Market

Industry: Retail

USP: The great thing about the company is that the employees get flexible schedules, plenty promotions and tiny but meaningful things like free birthday cakes and hot chocolate in winters!

97. Whole Foods Market

Industry: Retail

USP: The Company pays its staffers in stores fairly and rewards them with gain sharing, bonuses and treats everyone with respect.

98. W.L. Gore and Associates

Indsutry: Manufacturing & Production

USP: A promote-from-within culture makes Gore-Tex fabrics, medical devices, and more keeps its employee happy, as will skills and training which the company sponsors.

99. Workday

Industry: Information Technology

USP: This financial management and HR tech company provides seamless people management (even at Walmart) and grants $500 to the cause in a “workmates” name if they volunteer for 25 hours.

100. World Wide Technology

Industry: Information Technology

USP: This systems integrator provides supply-chain technology to 45% of Fortune 500 companies and employees love the perks as well, like on-site medical care, treadmill desk stations, and the occasional free massage.

Reference

[1]	^	Fortune: Best Companies To Work For
[2]	^	Great Place To Work: 100 Best Workplaces

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Why It Is a Lie That Time Heals All Wounds

It is difficult losing someone you love, whether it is caused by a death or from a breakup. You may battle with various emotions or reactions, which is a normal for the different stages of grief.

You have seen people who, after breaking up, give the impression that they have moved on. Sometimes, they seem to do it almost immediately. You see the photos on social media of them drunk at party and surrounded by hoards of people having “fun”. Or there may be cryptic status updates with quotes from anyone from Buddha to Adele.

Yet what is not on display are the nights they spend crying, asking for other people’s advice and obsessing. It may take weeks, months or even years before they can finally move on.

In fact, there are seven stages of grief according to the Kubler-Ross cycle:^[1]

• Shock – Feeling numb with disbelief protects you emotionally from being overwhelmed.
• Denial – Once the shock wears off, you can’t believe this is happening and everything feels surreal.
• Anger – The next stage will give way to feeling angry and even lashing out at others.
• Bargaining – You feel very confused and as a result, you look for desperate ways out of this anguish that you feel.
• Depression – A period of sadness takes over and you may be reflective of what was lost. You may feel lonely or in despair.
• Testing – The reality is starting to sink in and you may go through experimenting with things to do that may help you to move on.
• Acceptance – In the final stage, you will have accepted the situation and started to move forward.

It’s never easy to get through all these stages, but reaching the last stage of grief is essential for everyone to live on. Everyone will experience the stages of grief differently because the relationships we have are different and the way we handle emotions is not the same.

For someone mourning over a death, acceptance does not mean you are okay with the loss.

It is more that you have accepted the reality that they are no longer here. Even though you still think about them, the way you think about them has changed.

Your focus is different. Previously, you may have been engulfed in the stages of grief but your life has settled back into an old (or new) routine. Even though life may never again be the same, you are moving forward and may even start feeling more hopeful about the future.

For someone mourning the end of a relationship, acceptance means opening up to a new life.

With high insight, you can see why the relationship didn’t work out and why you are better off for it.

When your phone goes, you no longer hope that it will be your ex. You don’t check up on them on their social media as you no longer feel interested or concerned about what they are doing in their life.

They are not on a pedestal and you are either dating other people, have met someone else, or are happily single. You no longer hope you will get back together

To truly move on, don’t rely on time.

It is not that time heals wounds, it has more to do with the fact that time has passed and you have done something to enable healing.^[2]

This could be crying, having reflection, or refocusing your energy. The stages of grief may not be the same for everyone, and people heal in different ways.

Grieving is normal as it comes as a result of loving. By not fighting the stages of grief, it will enable you to start working towards a future that does not feel as dark.^[3]

Accepting support from others doesn’t mean you are weak.

It is ok to let your guard down and turn to friends or family for support. Surround yourself with love and those who have your best interest at heart. They will help you to be strong when you do not know how to be strong for yourself.

For the people who do not have a strong network of friends or family, life sometimes has a magical way of bringing new people into our lives just when we need them.

You can also speak to your doctor who may be able to put you in touch with a support group. Your doctor can also give you advice on finding a counsellor if you would like one.

Not only do positive distractions make you happier, but also inspire you to grow.

Find avenues to allow your mind to focus on something else. For example, you could try writing, reading or drawing.

It could also be prayers, meditation or in some other way with which you can identify. For instance, I enjoy reading quantum physics or astrophysics journals, and it also reminds me of the bigger picture of life and our universe.

There is always a positive outlet to channel your emotions.

There’s no need to push yourself too hard, take your time to move on.

If you are not quite there yet, know that this is also okay. Take your time.

And if you still feel a little broken, know this: you are not broken, light still shines perfectly through every one of those cracks.

Reference

[1]	^	Proactive Mindfulness: The 5 (or 7) stages of grief & loss: Grief cycle & grieving process
[2]	^	Expressive Counseling: It’s Not Time That Heals All Wounds
[3]	^	Help Guide: Coping with Grief and Loss

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Without Self Actualization, Life Is Like Empty

We sometimes get to a point in our lives where we question the meaning of our goals, dreams, potential and general life direction.

The meaning of our lives is the basis of leading a fulfilling experience – from our connection with others, our inner being and our place in the world around us, to our simple physiological needs.

Self-actualization is about moving up to the next level and being the best we can be in order to give meaning to our life – something everyone strives to do whether consciously or not.

What Exactly is Self-Actualization?

The concept of self-actualization was coined by the psychologist Abraham Maslow ^[1] who studied the theory of human needs. He believed that happiness derives, not from animalistic or mechanical behaviours nor the unconscious impulses we possess, but rather the drive to develop our understanding and wisdom of our full potential and capabilities.

Why We Need to Put Emphasis on Self-Actualization

Maslow believed that everyone is fundamentally hard-wired to self-actualize. Most people are at different stages – some can self-actualize at an early age or others reach the stage later in life but for most of us, we are have a need to better ourselves on a subconscious level throughout our lives.

In other words, it’s our want to grow whether we do this intentionally or unintentionally. We may do this through reading more widely to gain a better understanding of a subject, or simply choosing to see certain things from a different, more positive perspective.

It’s this self-actualization that we need in life to feel fulfilled and feel like we’re growing and developing as a person.

The Characteristics of Self-Actualization

If you’re still not sure how this translates into your own life, there are some characteristics of self-actualization that you can probably identify with. These are:

• Perceiving reality in a skilled way: being able to see what’s happening to you and what’s going on around you with a balanced and accepting approach.
• The ability to accept yourself and others: understanding ourselves in a non-judgemental way as well as those around us.
• Being appreciative of life: appreciating what life is in all its faults and glory – in your own life, others’ lives and even the nature that surrounds you.
• The ability to create deep and meaningful connections: creating relationships that bring meaning and depth; helping us grow and bring further understanding to the essence of connection with others.
• Following guidance from our values and inner goals: that feeling of living your life according to what you feel is right for you; knowing you are on a path that reflects your ultimate goal of happiness and fulfilment.
• The ability to express your emotions in a clear and freeing way: feeling confident and positively aligned with the way you express yourself that benefits you and those around you.

Of course, we aren’t always portraying these characteristics at all times but when we do we feel like we’re in a state of being our best selves. This is why going through states of self-actualization helps us live a meaningful life and leads us to a happier life.

In What Ways Can I Encourage Self Actualization?

Self-actualization may seem hard to do especially when we’re going through hard times or when we’ve picked up negative habits about how we think about ourselves and what’s going on around us.

But there are things you can do that will encourage you to grow and create the mindset of being your best self.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

We all have a tendency to do this but it’s a habit that doesn’t serve us. Understand that we are all on our own unique journey and it doesn’t matter where other people are in comparison to us. Once you make this important realisation you can be free to enjoy your path in life as the adventure it really is. It’s about your own progress not anyone else’s. Self-actualization is understanding that you are looking from a standpoint independent of other people.

Understanding the Power of Your Mindset

You may feel like your bad mood is the cause of other people or external circumstances that you can’t control, but it’s actually how you choose to react to conditions. You have the ability to adjust accordingly because your mindset is incredibly powerful. Choosing to see things for your benefit no matter how negative it may seem will help you self-actualize much more easily.

Learning to Love Yourself

You may have heard this a million times before, but accepting yourself completely is the only way you can be the best version of yourself. This means accepting both your strengths and weaknesses. It’s from this place that you can truly move through the world in an authentic way – it’s about creating peace of mind about yourself and getting rid of this negative version you’ve made up.

Know That the Journey is Never Over

Self-actualizing is knowing that you never really stop growing – you will never reach perfection and that’s okay because that isn’t what life’s about. Life is about continually expanding ourselves, our knowledge and our perspectives. Once you accept this, it will become easier to relax and achieve the happiness you deserve.

So, the journey to self-actualizing is actually the journey to empowerment. It’s about denouncing the negative perspectives we’ve adopted about ourselves and being willing to see things differently. It’s only from this space that we can live a life that has true meaning, fulfilment and being aware of our full potential and capabilities.

Featured photo credit: Unsplash.com via pexels.com

Reference

[1]

^

The Pursuit of Happiness: Abraham Maslow

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