KCSpeaks

Many workforce development professional use motivational posters, quotes, and pictures to create a positive atmosphere for their job seekers, but can the use of these materials actually reduce motivation? I don’t know if there has ever been a scientific study on the use of motivational, but my observation is that there can actually be too much motivational bling.   Motivational bling is my term for all the motivational “stuff” that people like to use for themselves or others. Some workforce professionals enjoy adding bling to everything in their office or presentation in the hopes of sparking the drive and passion in job seekers to become employed.   Words are powerful tools. Motivational quotes have their most power when the reader has time to think and digest them. They are like deliciously rich foods, decadent for a few bites, but can easily make you ill if you ingest too much. So how much bling is too much bling? My recommendation is to spread out the motiv...

This year marks the 15 th anniversary of the day that terrorists attacked the United States. The 9/11 anniversary is a somber day to remember those whom have lost their lives. For those of us in workforce development, we can also pause to think about how the American working world has changed.   The biggest change has been the focus on security of all types.   Protective Services as an industry has exploded with public and private protective services. For example, buildings that may have been open for the public to walk in without any screening, now have a Security Guard and often metal detectors stationed in front. At the airport, we have learned to be aware of what we carry in our luggage and what we are wearing. There are now people charged with screening our baggage, our bodies, our footwear, and the liquids we carry.   The federal Department of Homeland Security was created in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks and is now has about 240,000 employees...