Editorial
Twittering on
Baroness Susan Greenfield is a neuroscientist, writer, broadcaster and member of Britain’s House of Lords. She’s also a professor of synaptic pharmacology at Oxford and much of her research has focused on brain physiology.
Last month Greenfield warned her colleagues in the House of Lords that social networking sites could be causing alarming damage to the brains of young people and leaving their minds characterised by short attention spans, sensationalism, inability to empathise and a shaky sense of identity.
The Guardian reports she also warned against “a much more marked preference for the here-and-now, where the immediacy of the experience trumps any regards for the consequences.”
Social networking sites like Bebo, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter provide a “constant reassurance that you are listened to, recognised, and important,” says Greenfield. And as their users distance themselves from face-to-face, real-life conversations, they also lose the need for sensitivity to voice tone and body language.
One social networker she interviewed said: “You become less conscious of the individuals involved [including yourself], less inhibited, less embarrassed, and less concerned about how you’ll be evaluated.”
Greenfield isn’t alone in her concerns. A couple of years ago, San Diego State University psychologist Jean Twenge published a paper entitled Egos inflating over time on the growing narcissism of college students. Narcissists, it seems, “tend to lack empathy, react aggressively to criticism and favour self-promotion over helping others.”
This is worrying stuff. Greenfield and Twenge could be describing the new hire you’ve just made, or the person in the desk next to yours. Before long they’ll be managers and team leaders.
Just the other day I caught up with a couple of friends, both of whom manage teams which include young professionals. It wasn’t long before the conversation turned to managing the ‘It’s all about me’ generation. We laughed about the cliché of a clutch of Boomers moaning about the youngsters, but it’s serious stuff.
Right at the moment, businesses need team players, people who will pull together for the benefit of all. There’s talk from the US that the recession is creating a collectivist shift and bringing out the Three Musketeers in people. Let’s hope the new narcissism is not so hard-wired into our future workforce that they can’t join in.
—Lyndsey Swan
Feature articles
Seeing a silver lining
Kristen Cooper has come into the role of president of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ) at a potentially challenging time—but that’s good, she tells Alice Taylor.
The learning game
The recession is no excuse to cut back on workplace training—that only leads to further skills shortages, and a loss of competitive advantage, say the business experts. Instead, they tell Jackie Brown-Haysom, it’s time for a new approach to learning.
Building roads, bridges and literacy
Rather than ignore the impact that low literacy levels have on workplace productivity, TeamWorks is an example of how to successfully embed literacy learning into a leadership programme for frontline leaders. Peter Allen explains.
A moving experience
Relocating more than 750 staff from multiple sites is a challenge, but the change management programme undertaken by Sovereign Insurance ensured a successful outcome. Sharron Botica outlines how their mission was accomplished.
Rollercoaster of change
Emotions occur naturally when organisational change takes place, but they have often been scorned as illogical and disruptive. These emotions can help
to implement the changes or to derail them, and people need skills in identifying and responding to them, says Roy Smollan.
Outside the company
Many companies remain unsure about the merits of outsourcing various aspects of their HR services. Miriam Bell explores the pros and cons of outsourcing HR.
Reporting for action
How’s your induction game plan? Lucy Nichols explains why it’s important to adhere to a rigorous schedule to ensure your raw recruits are soon up to speed and playing their part in the team.
Out of hours
What, if anything, can an employer do about employee misconduct outside work? Emily Moore examines some recent cases showing successful disciplinary action can be taken, so long as a fair process is followed.
A chill wind blowing
It’s time for HR practitioners to put their house in order, and to lend a hand to their business managers, says John Gill. He outlines his vision for creating a leaner organisation with a better bottom line.
Departments
Just the job: Optimism and ‘luck readiness’
When work is hard to get, it’s the optimists who are most likely to mine their inner resources and succeed. Kaye Avery considers the competencies needed for challenging times, and how to find the silver linings.
Workplace dilemmas: Mutterings of discontent
There are times when the mutterings among staff can reach fever pitch, like when they can’t see the point of performance appraisals, or when they’re feeling insecure about their jobs. Karen Boyte explains how to soothe troubled waters.
Employment branding: Outsourcing the answer
Managing your employment brand isn’t something to put on the back burner during tough times, says Kate Billing. But rather than being over-whelmed by day-to-day processes like recruitment, she suggests outsourcing to help maintain employment brand integrity.
Case in point: Clause and effect
A dispute about holiday entitlements offers a timely reminder that clear drafting in employment agreements is crucial. A well-drafted agreement should ensure any future changes to the law are taken into account, says Laura Driscoll.
HRINZ news: When the only constant is change
Recessionary times might bring unwanted change in the workplace, but they also bring opportunities. The question is, will we make the most of them, says Beverley Main.
Learning & development: People power pays
Just about every one of the staff at Hayes International is involved in training, and the company is seeing the rewards of its investment, says Sandra Eriksen.
Wellness at work: The eyes have it
Lynden Mason examines how computer vision syndrome can make it hard to focus on what’s on the screen, and rob businesses of productivity, profit, and performance.
Public sector: IT trouble
A ruling by the Supreme Court of South Australia, which found a school must provide a safe system of work and take reasonable care of staff safety, has implications for boards of trustees in New Zealand, says Paul Robertson. |
