Commentary
How to Be a Leader without Being Obvious About It
Leslie Helm, Seattle Business magazines former editor, leads quietly and generously.
This article appears in print in the December 2018 issue. Click here for a free subscription. When I shifted over from Seattle magazine to Seattle Business magazine in 2011, I got really, really lucky. I lucked into a terrific boss. More to the point: I came upon the kind of colleague we all hope for…
Using That Instead of Who Dehumanizes the Workplace
"Words matter. Precise words matter precisely because humans have the ability and the responsibility to raise the bar on how well, how accurately they communicate."
This article appears in print in the November 2018 issue. Click here for a free subscription. Take that! And please stop its widespread abuse. Only you can prevent the further impersonalization of the workplace by overusing the relative pronoun that. How, exactly, did that come to replace who in everyday usage? Im not sure. But…
The Promise and Peril of the Industrial Internet of Things
"The industrial internet of things will increase the vulnerability and potential for havoc."
This article appears in print in the November 2018 issue. Click here for a free subscription. Oh, howdy! Who am I and what am I doing rummaging around your data collection systems, your machine controls and your computer files? Why, Im the internet of things (IoT). You invited me in, remember? Say, some of the…
The Battle Against Bias
How to create an inclusive, psychologically safe workplace
Creating inclusive spaces for folks with expanded gender identities can have a profound impact on both mental and physical health, and the workplace should be no exception. Employers have the unique opportunity to create a sense of belonging for individuals who might not feel inclusion in other areas of their lives. How do you create…
Second-Chance Hiring
Would your organization hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Even though many studies show that formerly incarcerated talent has equal-to-better job performance stats when compared to peers, some organizations still have systemic bias against employees and applicants with a criminal history. If employers are truly committed to infusing DEIB into their practices, instituting intentional fair-chance hiring practices must be considered. Here are some frequently…
Respect, Not Agreement
We can agree to disagree. Let's just be civil about it
“Can we all get along?” While not an uncommon phrase, it became part of the American fabric on May 1, 1992, when Rodney King posed this question at a press conference after his beating from four police officers went viral. I was a senior in high school at the time, and it was both a…
Breaking the Age Barrier
How to combat ageism in the workplace
The current workforce consists of five different generations for the first time in history, but less than 10% of employers include age diversity in their equity and inclusion strategy. Historically, managing a multigenerational workforce has been seen as a challenge, but age inclusion can allow for increased learning, and two-way mentorship opportunities. Here are some…
The Shooting Never Stops
Gun violence exacts a steep toll on all aspects of life
18We live in a country with more guns than humans. More mass shootings than days in a year. And a significant misconception about how survivors of gun violence can heal and move on with their lives. The truth is that time does not heal all wounds. And unfortunately, there is no playbook for victims of…
Moneyball
Want to get the most business from baseball? it’s simple: win more games
Baseball isn’t just a great sport to play and watch. It’s also an economic engine. Cities often help major league teams build stadiums in hopes of boosting economic activity in surrounding neighborhoods. But there’s one ingredient that really brings in the bucks: a winning team. Last season, for the first time since 2001, it seemed…
Disability inclusion: Seattle companies take steps to include all employees
One in four adults in the United States has some type of disability. Still, disability inclusion is not always part of workplace diversity efforts. Thoughtful accessibility practices help with new hiring opportunities and ensure current coworkers can bring their whole selves to the job. I recently learned that an employee has a non-apparent disability only…
Second chances: Why Seattle companies should hire people with criminal records
2023The law firm I founded, DuBois Levias Law Group, is a “second chance” employer for people who were formerly incarcerated. We hire those who have served time in prison, carry a felony, or have close family members in prison. Given that one in four Americans has a criminal record that can impact their ability to…
Doing the DEIB
Involving workers in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging creates engagement and enthusiasm
Everyone, regardless of title, can advance diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes in the workplace. One way to accomplish this is by creating employee-led resource groups, or ERGs, which often consist of members who share similar demographics or lived experiences. Here are some frequently asked questions. We are a relatively small business. We care deeply about…
Space Case
Workers demand a range of experiences in the workplace
The responsibility of the workplace is to double as a dynamic community hub where work and life intersect — always for the better. In conceptualizing the positioning of a property, owners should focus on incorporating the best elements of work, home, and hospitality into the experience, establishing the workplace as a destination. Workers themselves are…