Perception is Reality, Roger Ebert and Politics

I'm running for elected office in my town, and am therefore frequently reminded these days that people's perception of the truth is what governs their decisions.  Today's monthly job report indicates that 88,000 new jobs were created in March and that US unemployment has decreased to 7.6%.   Moving in the right direction, but more slowly than we'd like.  Outcome? Stock prices and futures are declining as the week draws to a close, due to lower investor confidence in economic recovery.  Is the value of those companies really less today than it was on Monday at the opening bell? Probably not.  But company valuations can be driven as much by perception as by their financial fundamentals.  (CMGI, anyone?)

Organizations,  just like political candidates,  have to get in front of as many people as they can to tell their story and earn the trust of their customers and investors - which in turn fuels their perceived value.   Their competitors are going to do everything they can to challenge your story.  The best defense is having a track record of doing right by your stakeholders and keeping your promises.

Long time film critic for the Chicago Sun-Time, Ebert died this week after a long battle with cancer.  He built his career around critiquing others' storytelling skills.    Two days before he died this week, he wrote his last blog post titled "A Leave of Presence" announcing that he'd be slowing down his prodigious output, but also launching new ventures.  He died less than two days later.    I love this quote of his that sums up my theme for the day.  Perception may equal reality in the eye of the beholder, but integrity goes a long way to bringing the two together.

"Kindness' covers all of my political beliefs. No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn't always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out."  [Salon]

Goodbye, Roger.  We'll miss you at the movies.

Articles of Interest This Week:

Job Seekers: Show You Are Trustworthy - Ask @hrbartender http://ow.ly/jCHRz

Is Wellness a Healthy Way to Curb Healthcare Costs? http://ow.ly/jCImw via @HRExecMag

What Your Employees Are Doing When You Think They're Working http://ow.ly/jCIR9 via @Inc

Flexible Workspaces: Another Workplace Perk or a Must-Have To Attract Top Talent? http://ow.ly/jCNuZ via @Forbes

Google's Secrets Of Innovation: Empowering Its Employees http://ow.ly/jCNJN via @Forbes

Digital Natives: Is Your Company a Go-To Place For Gen Y Workers? http://ow.ly/jF37K via @TLNT_com

Are You Happy? Finding Your Rainbow http://ow.ly/jF3qV via @Ray_anne @blogging4jobs

RT @williamtincup: RT Working Through Issues By Writing http://ow.ly/jM8FB @TrishMcFarlane

What's Behind the Momentum for Paid Sick Days? http://ow.ly/jHwFM via @HuffPostBiz

Workplace Wellness Takes the Lead for Stress Awareness Month http://ow.ly/jHxhO via @Forbes

In 42% of Companies, The Best Workers Are The Least Engaged http://ow.ly/jHBNR via @Forbes

Employees Don't Have Time For Wellness Initiatives - REPORT http://ow.ly/jHxYQ via @Forbes

Attitide is Everything! http://ow.ly/jJQ9H via @blogging4jobs

Kronites are writing about:

New Time Well Spent #Cartoon: http://ow.ly/jCHLO #aprilfools #scheduling

RT @SmarterCafe: Andragogy helps you scratch the itch for learning. http://ow.ly/1UlwjJ #prank #Kronos #training

@hrbartender's 5 considerations for a #mobile device policy http://ow.ly/jF2Ne via @WF_Institute

RT @SmarterCafe: Here's an opportunity to help kids this summer... http://ow.ly/jF7GV #Kronos #giveback @UnitedWay

RT @SmarterCafe: In any language, you can say "#Kronos means workforce management." http://ow.ly/jI6jL

@williamtincup on the value of great customers http://ow.ly/jM8e9 via @WF_Institute

RT @SmarterCafe: You can #Workinspired at #Kronos, even if you have a mullet. http://ow.ly/jKdGH #Jobs

Live Demo: Workforce Ready Time & Attendance http://ow.ly/jCI3b Tuesdays 1-2pm ET. #SMB

Pay or Play: Determining Your Company's Best Solution to the #AffordableCareAct. Listen to the replay: http://ow.ly/jF3i3

Interactive eBook: Labor strategies for the New Normal http://ow.ly/jFXQG

Experience Workforce Innovation That Works at #KronosLive 2013 http://ow.ly/jHBWI

#kronos corp comm team is enjoying @TCI_Boston's luncheon with keynote speaker @sherylsandberg. http://ow.ly/i/1P2Uy

RT @WF_Institute: Workforce Institute flu survey data in USA Today http://ow.ly/i/1OBfd