1) Feedback is very important for change. There are two types of feedback/criticism.
Destructive criticism is intended to hurt or embarrass the employee.
Focuses on immutable traits, personality, stereotype or protected class
Used at any point in time, without regard to employees feelings
Occurs in public/private, emotions/conflict are high
Many issues are rushed at once
Both parties have high stress levels
Constructive criticism is intended to improve the employee.
Focuses on what the employee says or does (behaviors), not personal attributes
Given timely with consideration to the employees feeling
Generally limited to 1 issue at a time
Both parties have lower stress levels
Occurs in private
What are your thoughts?
2) Some experts claim there is a trust gap in American corporations. At one of my former employers the gap became a controversial issue when during an economic downturn, the company reduced the regular lunch subsidy for most employees but continued to operate the managerial/executive lunch room with oil paintings, linen napkins, and sterling silver flatware. The common-folk lunch room had plastic forks and 1-ply napkins. In the end, the executive lunch room was converted to a fitness room for all employees.
What steps can leaders take to reduce the trust gap? How does trust promote organizational change? Why?
3) Do you think that with the exception made for short-term leases would cause short-term leases to become more popular?
4) Companies are motivated to lease for a variety of reasons including cash flow, convenience, taxes and the fact they have off-balance sheet accounting treatment. Cash flow is historically the primary reason as assets can be obtained with no money down. FASB’s new rules require companies to list leases on their balance sheets which, according to Credit Suisse, would increase assets on assets of S&P 500 companies over $550 billion. What will this do to return on asset ratios?
