Yesterday I received an email from my mom…that she received from someone else…that certainly stole my heart. It consists of four photos, telling the story of a deer that visits a cat every morning! Seems the two unlikely critters have formed a bond and start out every day showing one another some genuine affection. The kitty’s owner decided to snap some pictures to document this remarkable daily meet-and-greet event.

As an employee morale consultant, I can’t help but think how many people would benefit from following the example of this deer and cat. I simply mean that when you arrive at work, greet your co-workers pleasantly. And if you’re a leader, boss, manager, or in any kind of a supervisory position, say hello to those who report to you if at all possible. It shows that you care, and it makes a difference. Visit employees on their turf (stop by someone’s desk, go out on the warehouse floor, etc.)…and you’ll score extra boss points.

Saying hello and giving a smile to employees doesn’t cost a thing. And like the deer who keeps coming back to visit the cat…it will definitely be noticed!

Did you catch that? 40? FORTY!! Maybe it’s just me, since I hit the big FIVE-OH earlier this year…but I’m really disturbed that 40-somethings looking for a job may be considered old. Sure, 40 is old if you want a job as a professional football player. But seriously. Swimmer Dara Torres at age 41 can win three silver medals at the Beijing Olympics-but my 42-year-old neighbor is so old that she needs a special health fair to find a job?

When I think of older workers, I think of the generation of workers referred to as traditionalists, who are currently age 63-83. It’s hard to even think of baby boomers as being old, though I suppose that since they’re now age 44-64, some of them may be approaching that category.

Stay tuned for more posts on workplace generational issues. It’s a fascinating subject, and I have lots to say on the subject. Starting with this statement: Forty is not old!

At what age do you consider a worker old? Leave a comment!

I think Frank is making one of those facetious-but-not-really statements. I mean, try finding one person who works for someone else who doesn’t have a story about bad office behavior! Sometimes it’s the boss; sometimes it’s a co-worker. Frequently it’s the boss and co-workers.

The job market is tight right now. There are some professions, such as nursing and engineering, where demand exceeds supply.  But for the majority of workers in this country, finding a new, comparable job is not easy. This means that a lot of people must somehow tolerate an intolerable work environment.

Sounds like another seminar opportunity.

The consultant (me, hopefully) would interrupt the boss during interactions with employees. During those teachable moments, the boss would be shown how to manage people with kindness and appreciation, rather than with contempt and intolerance.

By the end of the hour, the boss would see the light and apologize to the workers for the shabby treatment they had received for so long. The boss would vow to communicate better; recognize, reward and empower the staff; nurture them; show respect; and somehow convince them that he would no longer bite their heads off if they made a mistake.

The employees would celebrate. And this time, some would cry tears of joy at the thought of working eight hours a day for someone who is actually pleasant.