We’re just a few days away from the presidential election, and I’ve been thinking a lot about what that means for organizations that are striving to be anti-racist and anti-oppressive. I’ve seen all kinds of affirmations on social media and in various articles that it’s okay to feel, it’s okay to be overwhelmed, and it’sContinue reading “How Organizations Can Support Employees Through This Election”
Author Archives: Cathie Pelchat
How Approvals and Feedback Undermine Diversity
The other day, I was having a conversation with a dear friend. He’s in email marketing, which, in most organizations, is one of those roles mired in approvals. Everyone thinks they can write marketing emails well, and everyone’s got an opinion about it. Also, the work involved is grossly underestimated – “It’s just an email.Continue reading “How Approvals and Feedback Undermine Diversity”
Hierarchy: Feelings About Change (3 of 3)
Moving away from hierarchy doesn’t have to entail a full organizational redesign, though there are many benefits to flatter organizations. It can also be a shift in the quality of our relationships, a move towards collaboration, partnership, and valuing expert power before or as much as positional power. It requires clueing into where power overContinue reading “Hierarchy: Feelings About Change (3 of 3)”
Hierarchy: Let Form Follow Function (2 of 3)
If we want more diverse and creative organizations that can adapt to this quickly changing world, and if we want more sustainable jobs and happier teams, we have to open up to what is possible. We have to reorient around what we’re trying to achieve and then design our resources, practices, and decision-making and communicationContinue reading “Hierarchy: Let Form Follow Function (2 of 3)”
Hierarchy: Does it Serve the Work? (1 of 3)
Decentralization has been a hot topic of organizational development for decades, but hierarchy still has a stronghold on management and organizations. With millennials becoming the largest (and most racially diverse) generation in the U.S. workforce, and with a rise in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, it seems that organizations are finally thinking critically about hierarchy. Continue reading “Hierarchy: Does it Serve the Work? (1 of 3)”
Supervisors, Ditch the Parenting
My journey as a supervisor began long before I supervised anyone. New to the workforce, I was excited to learn and be independent, to feel valued. It didn’t take long to realize that in my entry level role, I wasn’t invited to contribute beyond the tasks required of my position. Someone like me was supposedContinue reading “Supervisors, Ditch the Parenting”
No More Excuses
Hello World, I’m finally launching my blog after years of putting it off (moment of vulnerability: for fear of failure), and my timing could not be more poignant. Today is my 7th day at home during the coronavirus quarantine. In the last week, we’ve all witnessed unprecedented adaptability. It’s a devastating time, for sure, butContinue reading “No More Excuses”
Cathie Pelchat 