3 leadership lessons can we take away from the downfall of Theranos

3 leadership lessons can we take away from the downfall of Theranos3 leadership lessons can we take away from the downfall of TheranosTheranos was a company positioned to revolutionize blood testing. Just a few short years ago, the company was hailed as Silicon Valleys next great unicorn. Investors valued it at $9 billion, making Theranos founder and CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, the youngest woman self-made billionaire, at least on paper.Holmes image blanketed the cover of major business magazines where she often sported her trademark Steve Jobs turtleneck, evoking comparisons between the two leaders. Apparently, they also had a shared love of secrecy.Weeks ago Theranos quietly announced that it was shutting down its operations and Holmes is facing criminal fraud charges along with another key executive. Shes accused of defrauding investors, doctors and patients and is barred from serving as an officer or director of a publicly traded company for the next decade.So, what happened?How did a company that raised mora than $700 million, with promises to revolutionize blood-tests by using just a few drops of blood, fall so spectacularly from grace?There is a lot to the story, which has been covered in the bestselling bookBad Blood, however here is the very high level version.As Theranos progredienzed from concept to reality, the technology didnt work as planned. Instead of coming clean, Theranos leadership, led by Holmes, chose to exaggerate and outright lie about the technology. This included running their blood test on traditional equipment, claiming it had been done on their machine.Theranos story is almost identical to the circumstances that led to theVolkswagens diesel engine scandal.Was it massive hubris? A crippling fear of failure? Deliberate deception?Perhaps well never know the underlying why behind it all, but we can take away a few leadership lessons from it beyond the obvious issue of Holmes integrity.1. Dont over promise and under deliverOver-promising is something of an occupational hazard for leaders of fast-growing companies. While a promise of great things is by no means terrible, its the under-delivering part that is problematic. Once a promise is on the table, it creates serious pressure to meet goals, potentially unrealistic ones. Thats the danger zone.Before long, poor choices are being made as are claims that border on fiction. The line between aspirational thinking and truth begins to blur. By all means, platzset big, hairy, audacious goals. Just make sure to keep a sharp eye on progress and keep your ego in check if outcomes arent as audacious as you had hoped.In high pressure situations, its all too easy to get caught up in our own vision however blurry and tweak the facts to support our goals.2. Trust but verifyIts amazing how many smart people will jump on a bandwagon just because its full of other smart people. Theranos had no shortage of star power. Both Secretary of Defense, James Mattis and former Secretary of Stat e, Henry Kissinger, served on its board. But did they or any other powerhouses independently corroborate the companys claims before joining up? Apparently not. Google Ventures, who passed on investing, actually sent a venture capitalist to a Theranos Walgreens Wellness Center to take the revolutionary pinprick blood test and noticed they asked for far more than a prick.In our fast-moving society,its critically important to do your own due diligence. Following the herd might get you trampled.3. Build a team of dissentersAs I mentioned in last weeks Friday Forward, Respectful Disagreement, its critical that we have people in our life and on our professional team who are willing to disagree and push back. Holmes started down a path of lying and covering up poor results without anyone willing or able to stand up and challenge her decisions. She was known for hiring people close to her and insisting on extreme secrecy and security of information.Theranos downfall is yet another example w here the cover-up is worse than the crime. Holmes may not have set out to deceive, but that doesnt matter anymore. What the situation reveals is how a few seemingly little lies can quickly evolve into something much bigger, ruining careers and reputations in the process.The path of no return is one every leader should strive to veer from. But if you do find yourself on this path, remember youll be more valued and respected for taking responsibility andowning your failures.This article was originally published on Quora.com.

United States Consumer Confidence

United States Consumer ConfidenceUnited States Consumer ConfidenceUnited States Consumer Confidence07/25/2017The latest Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index was released on Tuesday, July 25 based on data collected through July 14. Consumer confidence rose to the second highest level in 16 years exceeding expectations from some economists. Americans are feeling great about the current state of the economy and more hopeful about the future.The Index now stands at a preliminary 121.1, up 3.8 points from the downward revision of 117.3 in June reflecting improved geschftlicher umgang conditions. The overall confidence reading of 121.1 was the highest since the confidence index hit 124.9 in March of this year and both readings were the highest since the index stood at 128.6 in December 2000.Consumer confidence increased in July following a marginal decline in June, said Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. Consumers assessment of current conditions re mained at a 16-year high (July 2001, 151.3) and their expectations for the short-term outlook improved somewhat after cooling last month. Overall, consumers foresee the current economic expansion continuing well into the second half of this year.Americans assessment of the labor market improved. Those surveyed stating jobs are plentiful rose from 32.0 percent to 34.1 percent while persons claiming jobs are hard to get decreased slightly from 18.4 percent to 18.0 percent.The outlook for the labor market also improved. The proportion expecting more jobs in the months ahead was unchanged at 19.2 percent, but those anticipating fewer jobs decreased from 14.6 percent to 13.3 percent.Consumer confidence for August 2017 will be released on Tuesday, August 29, 2017.Consumer confidence is a key measure of consumers attitudes. The survey, a closely followed barometer of consumer attitudes, measures confidence toward geschftsleben conditions, short-term outlook, personal finances and jobs. In other words it measures the degree of optimism that consumers feel about the overall state of the economy and their personal financial situation. If consumer confidence is high, consumers are more likely to make purchases. Vice-versa, if consumer confidence is low, consumers are more likely to save and spend less.

Is your company fostering transparent communication

Is your company fostering transparent communicationIs your company fostering transparent communicationNo matter how siloed roles or departments are, no one works in a bubble. What happens in marketing affects finance. And finances forecasts have ramifications for customer service. In such an interdependent world, managers must learn to open up with all stakeholders or risk losing others faith - and losing profits.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreManagers have to constantly interact with other parts of the organization to do their jobs well. As a departmental head, you need to be able to explain to the other managers what your teams goals are, how you plan to achieve them, and why that is good for the company.The upshot is that open communication between departments makes employeessee and embracetheir roles in the organization as a whole, which helps them become actively involved in companywide success.The art of interdepartmental communicationMoving toward more transparent communication takes time, energy, and behavioral changes. Try adjusting your style and protocols in the following ways to increase the flow of genuine information in your workplace1. Share and share alikeOften, a collaboration between departments canbreak down silosand spur innovation. Someone who is not directly involved in your day-to-day activities might have valuable insights.Recently, in one of our client meetings, it was brought to my attention that a new product was being introduced that might be competitive with what they were already working on. One of my first thoughts was Heads up Do the price people know this? That is the type of information that needs to be shared among departments. If an adjustment needs to be made, the rest of the teams will be aware of what will need to be done.One of the biggest keys to success is for managers to focus on the interest of the company rath er than the individual positions. This does not necessarily mean teamwork, as managers might have different goals. It means finding common ground that would be in the best interest of everyone involved. Unwarranted frustrations can easily be avoided if one departments objectives can be supported by the other departments.Collaboration and trustcan be formulated through team check-ins, interdepartmental reviews and informal meetings for team members to touch base.2. Express your goalsTake things a step or two beyond collaborating with the other departments. Share your vision so other teams can gain an understanding of their roles in the completion of your project that will achieve a major company win.Outline the strategic process you have plotted to reach your goal,and share it with other teams to ensure everyones resources and priorities are aligned.Set objectives and a process, and then customize it for all teams. Start by analyzing the information you already have at hand. That wil l help you decide on the best course of action. Implement the strategy, but continually evaluate the factors to keep all the teams on task.While managing profits and losses at Dell, I learned to be specific when setting priorities. I presented my teams numbers during weekly meetings. If we were behind, we had a three- to five-step catch-up procedure. If we were hitting our goals, we set up a plan to help us stay ahead. Interdepartmental communication works the same way.Workers will live up to plan expectations and prioritize them if youhelp them understandtheir roles in the company hitting its projections.3. Rely heavily on metrics and advanced analyticsPeople tend to take action based on their gut, so be prepared to have supporting information if you need to provide an alternative. Actionable data helps take the conversation from rolleal to practical. The more supporting data you get from marketing, finance, sales, product development, and other teams, the simpler it will be to imp lement your plan without getting tons of blowback. After all, if the numbers do not line up, you will need to formulate a different plan.For example, in a public company like Dell, a junior persons error could have a ripple effect that drops share price. The wisest way to avoid foreseeable problems like that is to share metrics with the junior employees and hold them accountable for key performance indicators that they can affect.Not only does this improve buy-in, but it also helps everyone focus on what matters and quickly pivot when necessary.When you know how to communicate with people, they tend towantto communicate with you. Eventually,people will turn to youas a leader because they realize you will have or will find answers. And that is exactly where you need to be to motivate others to succeed for themselves and the corporation.Transparent communication can be challenging, especially when you realize others are not practicing it. Yet it helps everyone row in the same directio n. Best of all, it reduces the fear of the unknown and sets the company up for heightened employee trust and all the advantages that come from engaged teams.If you enjoyed this article, sign up for SmartBriefs free e-mails onleadershipandcareer development, among SmartBriefsmore than 200 industry-focused newsletters.This article first appeared on Smartbrief.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Giving Feedback to Unsuccessful Candidates for Your Job

Giving Feedback to Unsuccessful Candidates for Your JobGiving Feedback to Unsuccessful Candidates for Your JobAre you interested in providing feedback to an unsuccessful candidate for your job? Candidates appreciate feedback because they are anxious to improve their chances of getting the next job for which they apply. Some candidates are also genuinely interested in improving their skills and interaction in an interview setting. In an earlier article, Must Employers Tell Applicants Why They Werent Hired? why the majority of employers dont provide feedback to their unsuccessful candidates welches covered. The article also suggested several reasons why you might want to provide feedback. One study, referenced in that article, found that 70 percent of employers dont provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates following an interview. If youre in the 30 percent who will provide feedback, these ten tips will help you provide feedback most effectively following an interview. Tell the truth . If you hide your feedback in a feedback sandwich or minimize, trivialize, or downplay the importance of your feedback and its impact on your hiring decision in any way, you dilute your words. Your candidate may notlage benefit from your graciousness and kindness in providing the feedback. Treat your candidate with respect. Even if the smell of the candidates perfume flooded your company with an unwanted odor or the individual dressed for the interview in a clubbing outfit, you owe the person respectful treatment. If your interview committees reaction was, Oh my, whatever was she thinking, rise to the occasion, dont sink when you talk with the applicant. The dig you might secretly like to toss out might be on target, but dont cheapen your company or your own position. Provide the feedback out of a genuine desire to offer assistance. Feedback is not something that you are required to provide for candidates you offer the feedback to help improve his chances of getting a job offer. Th e candidate will appreciate genuineness and sincerity. And, he will remember how he was treated and share this on social media and with his friends.Correlate your feedback with the job description, job posting, and job analysis that you created for the position. When you keep the feedback directly related to the job, you most effectively help your candidate. Make your feedback as constructive and clear as possible. Candidates need actionable, constructive feedback that they can immediately incorporate into their skill set. Dont beat around the bush or obfuscate the candidate may never get your message. Remember that successful communication is about shared meaning.Candidates need examples so that they can incorporate the feedback you provide. For example, tell the candidate for marketing director that his answers to questions about what hed recommend your company consider to broaden your marketing approach (after knowing you for six weeks, exploring the website, and experiencing two sets of interviews) did not indicate that hed thought about your needs. (Responding that hed begin to take a look at that and interview department members about their recommendations when he started the job, was a wrong answer.) Tell the candidate that her failure to look at the product you sell or your company website before the interview irreparably hurt her chances compared to other candidates. (A customer service applicant who has not taken a look cant effectively answer interview questions about how shed contribute.) Stick with factual feedback. Stay away from offering opinions and feelings. These comments will most likely spark controversy and arguments. You dont need to tell the abrasive candidate who became prickly during the interview that your interviewers doubted hed have the ability to work efficiently with an upset customer.If a skill test was part of the interview process, tell the candidate how she did on the test. For example, if the candidate had to create a writin g sample during the interview for a documentation position, tell her how she did. If grammatical and spelling errors and incoherent sentences were present, she needs this information. If a developer is asked to do a whiteboard test so that you can assess her coding skill and problem-solving approach, tell the candidate how she did about your last few hires. Restrict your feedback to activities, responses, and experience that the candidate can change. For example, if an individual is employed, you might suggest the areas that he or she needs to obtain experience in to qualify for jobs similar to yours in the future. While employed, the candidate may have the opportunity to pursue your recommendations. If your candidates responses to questions during the interview were weaker than the competitions, point out a few questions and answers that he can strengthen. Tell the candidate if she did not do a good job of highlighting for the interview committee the match between her skills and ex perience and what they sought. In many cases, your hiring decision had little to do with anything that your candidate could improve in the short term. Sometimes, the appropriate feedback is that you had stronger applicants with more experience and knowledge in areas that you perceive as most important for the job.If you can, tell the candidate the areas she should strive to improve. Be prepared, though, because, if you use this response, and youve chosen to provide feedback, the candidate will ask which areas. Decisions about whether - and how much - the feedback you can supply an applicant must also depend on your sense of how the candidate is likely to react based on your experience of his candidacy. When you can detail a few simple, solid reasons and suggestions, rather than express feelings, assumptions, or opinions, you have a much stronger case for providing much desired and needed feedback. But, create a policy for your organization and ask interviewers and hiring managers to abide by it, too. DisclaimerPlease note that the information provided, while authoritative, is not guaranteed for accuracy and legality. The site is read by a world-wide audience and ?employment lawsand regulations vary from state to state and country to country. Please seek legal assistance, or assistance from State, Federal, or zwischenstaatlich governmental resources, to make certain your legal interpretation and decisions are correct for your location. This information is for guidance, ideas, and assistance.

15 companies hiring for the highest paying jobs in June 2018

15 companies hiring for the highest paying jobs in June 201815 companies hiring for the highest paying jobs in June 2018The summer of 2018 is looking very good so far and it hasnt even officially started. For the first time ever the number of job openings in the U.S. has risen above the number of unemployed Americans. This means American employees are in good shape to ask for raises.And if you are looking for a new job there are many companies that are offering strong salaries right off the bat. To help you find what you are looking for, Ladders has put together this list of companies hiring for the highest paying jobs as of June 2018.Ladders compiled the data using its continuously updated database of high-paying jobs. Check them out - and click through to seejob openingsthat might be right for you.1. GoogleJobs available 1,416According to a recentarticle, Google receives more than two million job applications each year, but you could be one of the lucky people to get a job there.V iew allGoogle jobs.2.Booz Allen HamiltonJobs available 1,228This management consulting firm is located in lovely Tysons Corner, Virginia, in Greater Washington, D.C., but also hasconsulting jobsthroughout the rest of the country and in strategic locations all over the world.View allBooz Allen Hamilton jobs.3. SpectrumJobs available 1,142Where would we be without ur cable provider and the people that help us watch all our shows?ViewSpectrum jobs.4. CACI International Inc.(function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)0 if (d.getElementById(id)) return js = d.createElement(s) js.id = id js.src = https//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.jsxfbml=1version=v3.1 fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs)(document, script, facebook-jssdk))Posted by CACI International Inc onFriday, May 18, 2018Jobs available 1,136The simulation technology company was founded in 1985. Its clients includethe U.S. federal government and its opentechnology jobsinclude positions for technical writers and a training developer.View allCACI International Inc. jobs.5. J.P. Morgan ChaseJobs available 1,050The banking and financial services company was started in 2000 and is the largest bank in the U.S. and the sixth largest in the world (by assets).View allJ.P. Morgan Chase jobs.6. FacebookJobs available 998The social media platform had a rough spring but it is still considereda top place to work in the U.S.,according to Glassdoor.View allFacebook jobs.7. Science Applications InternationalJobs available 952This Virginia based company provides government services and information technology support.View all SAIC jobs.8. CGI GroupTheglobal information technology company has been running a wohlbefinden program since 2004.Jobs available 930View all CGI Group jobs.9. Deloitte DigitalJobs available 922The audit, consulting, tax and advisory service company works with some of the worlds biggest brands including 85 percent of the Fortune 500 and more than 6,000 private and middle market companie s.View allDeloitte Digital jobs.10. DXC Technology(function(d, s, id) var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)0 if (d.getElementById(id)) return js = d.createElement(s) js.id = id js.src = https//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.jsxfbml=1version=v3.1 fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs)(document, script, facebook-jssdk))Posted by DXC Technology onThursday, May 10, 2018Jobs available 919DXC orComputer Sciences Corporation is the worlds leading independent, end-to-end IT services and solutions company. It is headquartered in Falls Church, VA.View all DXC Technology jobs.11. General DynamicsJobs available 908The aerospace and defense company is divided into four segments Aerospace, Combat Systems, Information Systems, and Technology, and Marine Systems.View allGeneral Dynamics jobs.12. InfosysJobs available 881One of the leadersin technology services and consulting, this company has clients in over 50 countries.View allInfosys jobs.13.WiproTechnologiesJobs available 882ThisIndia-bas ed software and technology services provider targets a global customer base.View allWiproTechnologies jobs.14. Northrop GrummanJobs available 847Theglobal security company just made a$7.8 billion purchase of defense and space contractor Orbital ATK.View all Northrop Grumman jobs.15. Cognizant Technology SolutionsJobs available 836This NJ-based companyprovides digital, technology, consulting, and operations services.View all Cognizant Technology Solutions jobs.

What Experts Are Saying About First Resume and How This impacts You

What Experts Are Saying About First Resume and How This impacts You The Advantages of First Resume While you might be fighting to think of pertinent work experience, Ryan claims that you have more than you understand. The good thing is you dont need to feel helpless. 1 critical element is making certain you have enough white space on your resume, ODonnell states. By putting in some work, and observing a strategy, you can make an effective resume that gives a superb start on the work industry. Your first resume will lead to your very first job and the remainder of your career. The secret is to focus on what you could do for the employer, rather than how the employer can help you accomplish your goal. By promoting your abilities and achievements, employers will be certain to see you as an ideal fit for their company, despite no work experience. Otherwise, utilize the address where an employer will in fact be in a position to reach you for the upcoming few months. Different job postings will have different keyword phrases, different job duties listed, etc. The resume summary is simply a bridge to have the hiring manager in your experience. Resumes may be used for a number of reasons, but most often theyre utilized to secure new employment. The schwimmbad Secret of First Resume Resumes are often requested when youre applying for employment or internship. Writing your first resume can be an intimidating challenge. It can be a daunting task. Since you may see, skills are important facet of a first resume. In 1 form of another, you will have to mention your specified skills on your resume. Provided that it is related to the job, school projects are acceptable and absolutely ought to be mentioned when youve got zero work experience. Be sure the skills are related to the job that you desire. Learning how to do a resume when dont have any work experience is a lot easier if you may demonstrate some seasonal or short-term work experience. You are able to also list course work associated with the job which youre applying for. Even in case you have no true work experience, you might have experience from volunteering, school activities, or relevant hobbies that may show employers achievements and transferable skills that fulfill their requirements. Possessing no work experience doesnt mean that you are unqualified. Introducing First Resume There are various forms of resumes and distinct methods of adapting their general styles to suit your specific needs. Resume examples and templates are very helpful, especially when youre writing one of your initial resumes. You are able to check online templates to obtain an idea. Most functional resume templates are anticipated to have the ability to execute certain acts for their users, being that theyre supposed to be aids for writing resumes in the very first location. While the functional resume format may be an attractive choice for job seekers with minimal experience, most employers wo uld rather have a chronological or hybrid resume format. 1 advantage for employers to internet resumes is the considerable cost saving in comparison to traditional hiring methods. Unlike more experienced workers, you dont have too much to provide prospective employers. Because many employers utilize computer software to get rid of some applicants, include keywords from the job posting in your resume to assist you in getting another appearance, he explained. For a first resume, youll likely only need one particular page. If you believe that added information will assist you, then you better ask for another opinion. Next, you are going to want to gather your information. You ought to deliver some simple info on your resume.

What is it like to work at Amazon Go Beyond the Badge with Lisa

What is it like to work at Amazon Go Beyond the Badge with Lisa Being a female engineer can be tough. Listen to Lisas story on why she provides mentoring to other female engineers. Where could the Amazon badge take you? One of the biggest challenges in almost all industries today is achieving gender parity. Gender diversity provides huge benefits in the workplace. pWhile some industries have made significant advancements in gender diversity, some industries lag further behind... and the construction industry is well-known for being in the latter category. If someone says, construction workers, youll likely picture a group of men in yellow hard hats analyzing an architects plans or laying bricks on top of a scaffold. And men at work signs only help to reinforce this image.pThis stereotype is rooted in reality. When was the last time you actually spotted a woman on a construction site? Or hired a female plumber or carpenter? Your answer is m ost likely never. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statisticsreports that only 3.4% of the total of 8.3 million construction employees are women.pBut the construction industry has a lot more to offer than steel-toed boots and hard hats, and it needs women to help advance the industry in this era of rapid change. Here are 5 reasons why women joining the workforce or looking to make a pivot should consider a career in construction.h21. Fuel Innovation/h2pNot only is diversity the socially and morally right thing to do, but it is also actually an excellent business strategy. pResearch presented in the Harvard geschftliches miteinander Reviewshows that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. This is further supported by a study conducted by Gallupon the performance of gender-diverse teams versus single-gender teams, which found that the difference in backgrounds and perspectives led to better business performance and problem-solving. h22. Capitalize on Demand/h2pThe construction indust ry is currently experiencing a labor shortage. The industry itself is booming and projected to be one of the fastest-growing industries, with total spending projected to exceed $1.45 trillion in 2023/a. However, most construction companies are unable to meet the rising demand. pAccording to the Associated General Contractors of America/a, more than 80% of contractors are experiencing difficulties filling hourly craft positions that represent the bulk of the construction workforce.pAnd demand isnt limited to individual contributor roles. Given the industry boom, there are a number of open stable and high-paying roles (any project managers out there?) waiting for the right candidateh23. Leadership Opportunities/h2pAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics/a, women compose only 7.7% of the total 1 million managerial positions in construction.br/pBut given the highly collaborative nature of construction work, more women in leadership roles would help drive innovation and enhance produ ctivity.Furthermore, as a woman in construction in a leadership position, youd have the unique opportunity to drive change for the industry and make it a more attractive option for other women.h24. High-Income Potential/h2pSalaries for many skilled positions in construction are on the rise, making a construction career a prime choice for women looking for a high-paying job,pThe 2018 Construction Craft Salary Surveyconducted by the National Center for Construction Education and Research revealed that salaries for many skilled craft areas are increasing. Project managers and project supervisors topped the list at $92,523 and $88,355, respectively. The next set of highest-paying jobs include those of combo welders ($71,067), instrumentation technicians ($70,080), pipe welders ($69,222), power line workers ($68,262) and industrial electricians ($67,269). Of the 32 categories of workers in the survey, 19 positions earned an average salary of $60,000 or higher.h25. Sense of accomplishment /h2p The construction industry can give employees a unique sense of achievement. Yes, the job is stressful and the work can be demanding, but nothing beats the feeling of being able to build something from the ground up. pHow many professionals in other industries can point at a school, a hospital, or a skyscraper and say I helped build that?pThe construction industry has a long way to go in combating gender bias and supporting women in the workforce, but given the current demand for workers, theres no better time to pick up a sledgehammer (figurative or literal) and smash the gender stereotypes plaguing the construction industry.