Ebay, the online auction website has just reported zero growth in fourth-quarter revenue from the same period a year earlier and a 50% drop in net income.

At times like this, managers tend to draw up endless plans to boost their employees’ productivity, writes Bryce Arghiere. Some plans are externally-focused and others are internally-focused External tactics provide incentives or deterrents (carrot and stick).

These approaches are the most common and take shape in many ways: rewards and recognition for high performance, setting attainable goals, holding employees accountable.

Internal ones don’t coax or threaten—they teach. The change happens inside the employee and lasts – unlike rewards and requirements that work only if they are constantly applied and adapted often.

An internal approach is obviously preferable. With limited hours available for training, what do you leave out and what do you teach? Software or soft skills?

Lately, a stronger and stronger case has been made to include mindfulness.

What makes mindfulness training so valuable is that it helps employees develop tools to do every specialized skill better.

But even if many employees are skeptical and the bosses are the only ones who opt for training, employees still benefit.

Another study found job satisfaction and performance soared among employees whose supervisors practiced mindfulness.

I’m interested in hearing more about a  mindfulness course.

 

 

Posted in: Infographic of the day, Mindfulness